Biodegradability process — definition?
Microorganisms convert organic matter into water, methane, and energy.
Environmental conditions needed?
High temperature (~50°C), UV light, moisture, oxygen.
Hydrolysis — role?
Breaks bonds in plastics using water.
Photodegradation — mechanism?
UV light damages plastic structure.
Microbial action — process?
Bacteria consume the material.
Biodegradation endpoint?
Mineralisation into CO2, water, methane, ammonia.
Degradation — what?
Gradual breakdown of polymer by environmental factors.
Biodegradable plastics — condition?
Break down under specific conditions like industrial composting.
Plastic pollution impacts — land?
Soil contamination and biodiversity loss.
Plastic pollution — air?
Microplastics lifted by wind, inhaled by humans.
Marine effects — wildlife?
Ingestion, entanglement, habitat damage.
Economic impact — tourism?
Costs hundreds of millions in some countries.
Recycling rate?
Over 90% of plastic is unrecycled.
Waste costs — components?
Collection, sorting, recycling, disposal.
Circular economy — goal?
Reuse, recycle, keep resources in use.
PLA — produced from?
Renewable plant resources like sugar and starch.
PLA — biodegrades in?
Industrial composting at 55–65°C.
PLA — end products?
CO2 and water under proper conditions.
Bamboo — growth rate?
Up to 1 meter per day.
Bamboo — main components?
Cellulose and lignin.
Bamboo — environmental benefit?
Renewable, biodegradable, fast-growing.
Packaging regulations — effect?
Require redesign, increase costs, change logistics.
Supply chain challenges?
Cost fluctuations, regulatory complexity, sourcing issues.
Waste management — costs?
Collection, sorting, recycling, disposal.
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1. What effect does bamboo’s global transport have on its ability to replace plastics?
2. What conditions are stated to mainly cause PLA to break into CO2 and water?
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