Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Capable of being decomposed by biological agents: Describes a substance or material that can be broken down naturally by microorganisms such as bacteria or fungi into harmless, basic components like water, carbon dioxide, and biomass.
   • Environmentally friendly decomposition: Implies that the material will not persist indefinitely in the environment and will decay through natural biological processes.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • This packaging is made from biodegradable materials like cornstarch.
  • We should use biodegradable cleaning products to reduce pollution.
  • The company promises its new plastic bags are fully biodegradable.

Advanced Usage

• "biodegradable waste": Organic waste that can be broken down by living organisms, typically referring to food scraps, paper, and yard waste.

  • Please put biodegradable waste in the green compost bin.

• "biodegradable polymer/plastic": A type of plastic engineered to be broken down by microorganisms under specific conditions.

  • Research is focused on developing cost-effective biodegradable polymers.

Variants and Related Words

• Biodegrade (verb): To decay by the action of living organisms.

  • The leaves will biodegrade and enrich the soil.

• Biodegradability (noun): The quality or state of being biodegradable.

  • The biodegradability of the product is certified by an independent lab.

• Non-biodegradable (adj): Incapable of being decomposed by biological agents.

  • Most conventional plastics are non-biodegradable and remain in landfills for centuries.

Synonyms

• Compostable: Capable of breaking down into nutrient-rich compost under controlled conditions (often a more specific type of biodegradation).
• Decomposable: Able to rot or decay (a more general term that does not specify biological agents).

Antonyms

• Non-biodegradable
• Persistent
• Indestructible (in an environmental context)

Related Phrases and Concepts

• "biodegradable within X days/weeks": A phrase often used in marketing or certification to indicate the expected timeframe for decomposition under ideal conditions.

  • The product is certified to be biodegradable within 90 days in an industrial composter.

• "oxo-biodegradable": A controversial term for plastics containing additives that cause them to fragment into smaller pieces (degrade) more quickly, which is different from complete biological decomposition (biodegradation).

  • The environmental benefits of oxo-biodegradable plastics are widely debated.

Adjective

1. capable of being decomposed by e.g. bacteria
   • a biodegradable detergent