CBSE Class 10 Science 2022 · Paper 31/4/1 · Question 5(b)

Biodegradable substances are broken down by decomposers such as bacteria and fungi; non-biodegradable substances, such as plastics, are not, and they persist in the environment for a long time. 1. Carry bags: earlier, shopping was carried home in cloth or jute bags, or wrapped in paper - all biodegradable, and the bags were reused. Now polythene carry bags are used once and thrown away, and they are non-biodegradable. 2. Serving and packing food: earlier, snacks and sweets were served on leaf plates and in leaf bowls or wrapped in paper, which decompose. Now they come on thermocol plates, in plastic cups and in plastic packets, and milk comes in polythene pouches - all non-biodegradable. In both examples biodegradable packaging has been replaced by plastic packaging that decomposers cannot break down, so the change in packaging has made our waste non-biodegradable.