undegradable
Resists all breakdown
Undegradable describes something that cannot be broken down or decomposed, especially by natural biological or chemical processes.
The term appears most often in environmental contexts: undegradable plastics, undegradable waste.
Materials that are undegradable persist indefinitely in landfills or ecosystems, resisting the decay that would return organic matter to soil.
Impossible to damage permanently
- imperishableLasting forever, indestructible
- permanentFixed without end
- everlastingLasting for all time
- persistentContinuing despite difficulty
enduring · lasting · durable · eternal · timeless · immortal · unchanging · constant
Resists microbial breakdown
- landfillWaste burial ground
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
- bioaccumulationPollutant concentration in tissues
- toxic wasteDangerous industrial refuse
chemical runoff · soil contamination · groundwater pollution · forever chemicals · PFAS · leaching
Capable of being molded
- polymerLarge repeated-unit molecule
- polyethyleneThermoplastic from ethylene gas
- polystyreneLightweight synthetic foam plastic
- polypropyleneVersatile thermoplastic resin
PVC · nylon · acrylic · polyester · Styrofoam · vinyl · Teflon · Kevlar
Able to recover quickly
- sturdySolidly built, durable
- robustStrong and durable
- hard-wearingResistant to damage
- long-lastingPersisting over extended time
unyielding · steadfast · unwavering · unbreakable · tough · impervious · weatherproof · corrosion-resistant
indestructible
Impossible to damage permanently
- imperishableLasting forever, indestructible
- permanentFixed without end
- everlastingLasting for all time
persistent · enduring · lasting · durable · eternal · timeless · immortal · unchanging · constant · stable
nonbiodegradable
Resists microbial breakdown
- landfillWaste burial ground
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
- bioaccumulationPollutant concentration in tissues
toxic waste · chemical runoff · soil contamination · groundwater pollution · forever chemicals · PFAS · leaching
plastic
Capable of being molded
- polymerLarge repeated-unit molecule
- polyethyleneThermoplastic from ethylene gas
- polystyreneLightweight synthetic foam plastic
polypropylene · PVC · nylon · acrylic · polyester · Styrofoam · vinyl · Teflon · Kevlar · synthetic
resilient
Able to recover quickly
- sturdySolidly built, durable
- robustStrong and durable
- hard-wearingResistant to damage
long-lasting · unyielding · steadfast · unwavering · unbreakable · tough · impervious · weatherproof · corrosion-resistant
undegradabledegradable
Able to decompose
biodegradable · decomposable · compostable · photodegradable · perishable
grade, graded, grading, grades, gradation, gradations, gradient, gradients, degrade