Biodegradable Substances Explained

Biodegradable substances are materials that can be broken down naturally over time by the action of living organisms, like bacteria and fungi. These substances decompose into simpler, harmless elements like water, carbon dioxide, and biomass, which can then be reused by nature.

Common examples include food scraps (like fruit peels and vegetable waste), paper, cotton, and eggshells. Non-biodegradable substances, on the other hand, do not break down easily and persist in the environment for hundreds or even thousands of years. Examples include plastics, glass, and metals.

Analyzing the Options for Biodegradable Substances

Let's examine each option to find the one containing exclusively biodegradable materials:

• Option 1: Glass bottle, Milk packets, Egg shells, Banana peel

  This option includes glass bottles and milk packets. Glass is non-biodegradable, and milk packets are typically made of plastic or composite materials that are also non-biodegradable. Although egg shells and banana peels are biodegradable, the presence of non-biodegradable items makes this option incorrect.

• Option 2: Eggshells, Tea leaves, Potato peelings

  This option lists eggshells, tea leaves, and potato peelings. All these items are organic and biodegradable. Eggshells break down naturally, used tea leaves (from brewed tea) are organic waste, and potato peelings are vegetable waste. Therefore, this option contains only biodegradable substances.

• Option 3: Medicine bottle, Old shoe, Stale biscuits

  Medicine bottles are often made of glass or plastic, both non-biodegradable. Old shoes can be made from leather, rubber, and plastics, which are generally non-biodegradable or decompose very slowly. Stale biscuits are biodegradable, but the presence of the bottle and shoe makes this option incorrect.

• Option 4: Bubble packs, Vegetable peelings, Stale bread

  Bubble packs are made of plastic, which is non-biodegradable. Vegetable peelings and stale bread are biodegradable, but the inclusion of bubble packs disqualifies this option.

Conclusion on Biodegradable Substances

Based on the analysis, only Option 2 contains a complete list of biodegradable substances. These are materials that decompose naturally without causing long-term environmental pollution.