Identifying Non-Biodegradable Waste

The question asks us to identify which item from the given list is non-biodegradable. Let's understand what biodegradable and non-biodegradable mean:

• Biodegradable materials are substances that can be decomposed naturally by microorganisms (like bacteria and fungi) into simpler substances like water, carbon dioxide, and biomass. Examples include food scraps and plant matter.
• Non-biodegradable materials are substances that cannot be easily broken down by natural processes. They persist in the environment for a very long time, often causing pollution. Plastics are common examples.

Analyzing the Options

Let's examine each option:

• Option 1: Fruit peels - These are organic waste from fruits. They decompose naturally relatively quickly, making them biodegradable.
• Option 2: Wood waste - Wood comes from trees and is organic material. While it might take longer to decompose than fruit peels depending on the conditions, it is generally considered biodegradable.
• Option 3: PVC - PVC stands for Polyvinyl Chloride, a type of synthetic plastic. Plastics, including PVC, are known for their resistance to natural decomposition processes and are therefore non-biodegradable. They can take hundreds or even thousands of years to break down.
• Option 4: Paper bag - Paper is made from wood pulp (cellulose). It is an organic material and is designed to be biodegradable under normal environmental conditions.

Summary of Material Breakdown

Here is a summary table comparing the options:

Conclusion on Non-Biodegradable Item

Based on the analysis, PVC is the material that does not break down easily in the environment and is therefore classified as non-biodegradable among the given choices.