degradability
Ability to decompose
Degradability is the capacity of a material to break down into simpler components, especially through natural processes.
The term appears most often in environmental contexts: the degradability of plastic packaging, testing the degradability of new materials.
Biodegradability specifies breakdown by living organisms; photodegradability by sunlight.
Waste burial ground
- pollutionEnvironmental harm from waste
- wasteUnwanted discarded material
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
- microplasticsSub-5mm synthetic environmental particles
leachate · persistence · toxicity · accumulation · ecosystem · habitat · waterways · bioaccumulation
Breakdown into simpler parts
- microorganismsMicroscopic living entities
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
- fungiSpore-reproducing decomposers
- enzymesReaction-speeding proteins
decay · breakdown · organic · soil · aerobic · anaerobic · humus · detritus
Capable of being remade
- renewableCapable of restoration
- circularForming a closed curve
- zero-wasteNo garbage produced
- eco-friendlyNot harming the environment
green · reusable · low-impact · conservation · stewardship · regenerative · eco-design · lifecycle
Plant-derived synthetic material
- polymerLarge repeated-unit molecule
- photodegradableBroken down by light
- biopolymerNaturally produced macromolecule
- thermoplasticHeat-softenable, repeatedly reshapable polymer
polyethylene · PET · HDPE · polypropylene · polystyrene · PVC · nylon · elastomer
Able to decompose naturally
- vermicompostingDecomposition using earthworms
- mulchProtective plant bedding
- leafmoldDecomposed leaf material
- decomposerOrganism breaking down corpses
manure · peat · topsoil · biomass · windrow · thermophilic · curing
landfill
Waste burial ground
- pollutionEnvironmental harm from waste
- wasteUnwanted discarded material
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
microplastics · leachate · persistence · toxicity · accumulation · ecosystem · habitat · waterways · bioaccumulation · half-life
decomposition
Breakdown into simpler parts
- microorganismsMicroscopic living entities
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
- fungiSpore-reproducing decomposers
enzymes · decay · breakdown · organic · soil · aerobic · anaerobic · humus · detritus · rotting
recyclable
Capable of being remade
- renewableCapable of restoration
- circularForming a closed curve
- zero-wasteNo garbage produced
eco-friendly · green · reusable · low-impact · conservation · stewardship · regenerative · eco-design · lifecycle · cradle-to-cradle
bioplastic
Plant-derived synthetic material
- polymerLarge repeated-unit molecule
- photodegradableBroken down by light
- biopolymerNaturally produced macromolecule
thermoplastic · polyethylene · PET · HDPE · polypropylene · polystyrene · PVC · nylon · elastomer · resin
compostable
Able to decompose naturally
- vermicompostingDecomposition using earthworms
- mulchProtective plant bedding
- leafmoldDecomposed leaf material
decomposer · manure · peat · topsoil · biomass · windrow · thermophilic · curing
degradabilitypermanence
Quality of lasting indefinitely
indestructibility · durability · persistence · stability · imperishability
degradabilitynon-biodegradability
Resistance to natural decay
bioaccumulation · recalcitrance · chemical stability · inertness
upgrade, gradual, degrade, downgrade, degraded, degrading, degradation, gradation, retrograde