Question

Differentiate between biodegradable and non-biodegradable substances with the help of one example each. List two changes in habit that people must adopt to dispose non-biodegradable waste, for saving the environment.

Answer 1

Biodegradable wastes	Non-biodegradable wastes
Waste materials which can be broken down into harmless substances in nature in due course of time by the action of microorganisms such as certain bacterias are called biodegradable wastes. Examples: Cattle dung, wool, paper, compost.	Waste materials which cannot be broken down into harmless substances by the action of microorganisms in nature are called non- biodegradable wastes. Examples: Plastics, polythene bags, metal articles, glass objects.

People should adopt following changes in habit:
(a) Dispose household waste, chemical waste and hospital waste in a landfill.
(b) Broken plastic articles such as buckets, bowls, cups, plates, etc., should be sent to plastic processing factories.