non-biodegradable
Refuses natural breakdown
Non-biodegradable describes materials that cannot be broken down by natural biological processes.
Plastics, glass, and synthetic fibers persist in the environment because bacteria and other organisms cannot decompose them: Non-biodegradable waste accumulates in landfills for centuries.
The term appears frequently in environmental discussions about pollution and sustainability.
Capable of being molded
- styrofoamExpanded plastic foam material
- polystyreneLightweight synthetic foam plastic
- syntheticProduced artificially, not natural
- polymerLarge repeated-unit molecule
nylon · polyester · acrylic · vinyl · PVC · fiberglass · resin · silicone
Reprocessing used materials
- upcyclingImproving discarded materials' value
- repurposeAdapt for new use
- reusableFit for repeated service
- reductionMaking something smaller
alternative · ban · phase-out · circular economy · waste management · incineration · sorting · collection
Waste burial ground
- garbageDiscarded waste material
- litterScattered waste or debris
- pollutionEnvironmental harm from waste
- trashDiscarded worthless material
debris · refuse · junk · rubbish · disposable · single-use · packaging · wrapper
Continuing despite difficulty
- accumulationCollected mass over time
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
- ecosystemInterconnected organisms and surroundings
- marine debrisWaste in sea environments
leaching · toxicity · microplastics · ingestion · entanglement · wildlife · soil contamination · groundwater
plastic
Capable of being molded
- styrofoamExpanded plastic foam material
- polystyreneLightweight synthetic foam plastic
- syntheticProduced artificially, not natural
polymer · nylon · polyester · acrylic · vinyl · PVC · fiberglass · resin · silicone · rubber
recycling
Reprocessing used materials
- upcyclingImproving discarded materials' value
- repurposeAdapt for new use
- reusableFit for repeated service
reduction · alternative · ban · phase-out · circular economy · waste management · incineration · sorting · collection · refillable
landfill
Waste burial ground
- garbageDiscarded waste material
- litterScattered waste or debris
- pollutionEnvironmental harm from waste
trash · debris · refuse · junk · rubbish · disposable · single-use · packaging · wrapper · container
persistent
Continuing despite difficulty
- accumulationCollected mass over time
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
- ecosystemInterconnected organisms and surroundings
marine debris · leaching · toxicity · microplastics · ingestion · entanglement · wildlife · soil contamination · groundwater · forever chemicals
non-biodegradablebiodegradable
Able to decompose naturally
compostable · decomposable · degradable · organic · perishable
non-biodegradablecompostable
Able to decompose naturally
eco-friendly · sustainable · environmentally friendly · green · natural