Many people concerned about the the environment seek to acquire biodegradable products, thinking that these will not have a negative environmental impact. However, this is not always true. The terms biodegradability and compostability can be misleading if the conditions necessary for a biodegradable product to degrade without generating harmful effects are not properly understood.
What does it mean for a product to be biodegradable?
For a product to be considered biodegradable, it must be able to break down into basic elements such as water, carbon dioxide and biomass, thanks to the action of microorganisms and under suitable conditions of temperature, humidity and oxygen. However, the speed and effectiveness of the biodegradation process varies greatly depending on the environment. For example, an industrially biodegradable product might not degrade properly in a domestic environment or in a common landfill.
A crucial factor is the availability of oxygen. An oxygen-deprived landfill, biodegradable products can be decomposed by an anaerobic process, leading to the release of methane, a greenhouse gas much more potent than carbon dioxide and which contributes significantly to global warming.
Biodegradability versus compostability
The concept of compostability is often confused with biodegradability. While every compostable product is biodegradable, not every biodegradable product is compostable. To be considered compostable, the material must break down quickly, in a controlled environment, without leaving toxic or visible residues.
For example, products that comply with the standard in 13432, commonly accredited for compostable plastics, must degrade at least 90% in six months under industrial conditions. This means that it is not enough to throw them into the garbage bin: they must be under controlled conditions with high humidity and temperature to ensure composting.
In contrast, biodegradable products can take much longer to decompose, and their remains can persist for longer if conditions are not right. This means that biodegradable bags or packaging that do not decompose well in nature can fragment into microplastics, further polluting the environment.
Methane gas and the use of waste
El methane gas Methane is one of the most harmful byproducts resulting from the decomposition of organic waste in anaerobic landfills. This gas is responsible for much of the air pollution and greenhouse effect, which continues to aggravate climate change. However, in some cases, properly managed plants can capture the methane produced and use it to generate renewable energyThe problem is that most landfills do not have the infrastructure to capture this energy, which increases the negative impact of the methane released into the environment.
Poor waste management: a global challenge
One of the biggest problems globally is the poor waste managementAccording to statistics, a large percentage of biodegradable waste ends up in landfills or is incinerated. Both methods generate pollutants that affect air and soil quality. Especially in developing countries, recycling and reuse of waste remains limited, which exacerbates health and environmental problems.
The incineration of these wastes releases a variety of toxins into the environment, which can have harmful effects on human health and local biodiversity. Furthermore, landfills, if not properly controlled, can become oversaturated, generating toxic leachates that filter into underground water bodies.
Can we reduce waste?
The solution does not only lie in buying biodegradable products, but also to exert greater pressure on the authorities to implement proper waste management. Ideally, biodegradable products should be composted to produce organic fertilizer, instead of being degraded in places where they emit dangerous gases such as methane.
As consumers, we can reduce the use of plastics and other single-use products. Opting for reusable, recyclable or products with a real capacity for biodegradation under natural conditions is a great contribution. In addition, more and more companies are betting on innovations in packaging and containers that minimize the ecological impact.
While biodegradability is a step in the right direction, it is still insufficient. To truly change environmental impact, we need to go beyond individual decisions and involve systemic changes in how we produce, use and dispose of products.
It is our duty to demand proper waste management and actively participate in its separation and recycling. Only through environmental education and social responsibility we can reduce the impact of waste on the environment.