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GCSE Design and Technology · key term
Able to be broken down by microorganisms under suitable conditions.
Used by Edexcel and Eduqas
Specification 1.1.7, 1.4.3 · Paper 1
Revise: EnvironmentDesigners can remove unnecessary packaging, reduce the quantity used, or choose recyclable, recycled or biodegradable materials. Recyclable packaging still depends on suitable collection and processing. Biodegradable materials need appropriate conditions to break down; the label does not mean that littering is harmless.
Do not assume that an environmentally protective textile is itself biodegradable or that a protective fabric protects against every hazard.
Distinguish biodegradable from compostable, and identify the conditions needed for breakdown.
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Component 1
Capable of being broken down by microorganisms under suitable conditions.
Revise: Factors Influencing Plastic SelectionBiodegradable means that microorganisms can break down the material under suitable conditions, producing substances such as water, carbon dioxide and biomass. It does not mean that the product disappears immediately or breaks down equally well in every environment. A useful claim must identify the conditions under which breakdown occurs.
Able to be broken down by microorganisms. How quickly this happens depends on the material and the disposal conditions.
