Biodegradeeruvad

Biodegradeeruvad is Estonian for substances or materials that are capable of biodegradation. The term is used to describe items that can be broken down by microorganisms under suitable environmental conditions into natural substances such as carbon dioxide, water and biomass, and in some cases methane. In practice, biodegradation depends on the material’s chemical structure and the environment in which it degrades.

Biodegradation is achieved through the activity of microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, which enzymatically break down polymer chains and other compounds. The rate and extent of biodegradation are influenced by factors such as temperature, moisture, oxygen availability, pH, and the presence of specific enzymes, as well as by the material’s composition, additives, and physical form. Some materials mineralize completely, while others convert to smaller organic molecules or biomass.

Environmental contexts for biodegradation vary. Certain materials biodegrade in soil or compost, while others require industrial composting facilities with controlled conditions. Compostability is a stricter subset of biodegradability and is defined by set criteria in standards such as EN 13432 and ISO 17088. Not all biodegradable materials are compostable, and some may fragment into microplastics if conditions are unfavorable or incomplete.

Applications and considerations. Biodegradeeruvad materials are common in packaging, agricultural films, disposable cutlery, and textiles. While they can reduce persistent waste under appropriate disposal streams, improper end-of-life handling can limit benefits and, in anaerobic environments such as landfills, may produce methane. Lifecycle assessment is often needed to evaluate environmental performance.

See also: biodegradation, compostability, bioplastics, microplastics.