Gunpreet, Subject Matter Expert at Edumarz
Answer: Substances that can be broken down by microorganisms are called biodegradable substances. These substances break down into simple soluble forms. The biodegradable waste consists of kitchen waste such as spoiled food, vegetable, and fruit peels, used tea leaves, etc. Other than this waste paper, tree leaves, different plant parts, etc. are also biodegradable substances.
Substances such as kitchen waste, garden waste, etc. get decomposed by microorganisms into simple soluble substances (humus). These simple substances when mixed into soil, increase soil fertility.
Carbon is the main constituent of biodegradable substances. When these substances decompose, carbon gets released back into the environment. Thus they maintain the carbon cycle.
These substances are eco-friendly because they do not cause any harm to our environment; rather by decomposing, they provide the simple inorganic molecules back to the environment.
