The term biodegradable refers to the process by which a product degrades or erodes with time. Biodegradable products are believed to be kinder to the environment. This is because these products are made using plant-based materials, so when they disintegrate there are no harmful materials left in the soil. There are many products on the market today claiming to be biodegradable, thus giving consumers ample choices to protect the environment. There are biodegradable cleaners, household supplies and even clothing.
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Scientists predict that it will take more than 500 years for a plastic bag to break down in a landfill. Of course, this is an estimate since plastic bags have only been around for about 50 years. The reason why it takes so long to break down is that plastic bags are made from polyethylene, which is manmade. The microorganisms that contribute to product degrading don't recognize the bags as food, so therefore they don't eat them. The bag will eventually disintegrate due to sun exposure. Reusable cloth bags are a better alternative to plastic. These bags are reusable for a number of times before being discarded. Using cotton bags is even better because these bags degrade naturally over time. There also are biodegradable paper plates and utensils, which are kinder to the environment. These usually are made from cardboard.
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Many top manufacturers now are marketing green alternatives to their most popular brands. Clorox© has its Green Works line of cleaners, which are available in major retail stores. Companies such as Bio Kleen, Cloverdale, Mr. Bio and Greenleaf offer biodegradable products through their websites. There also has been a shift to natural cleaning using steam. For everyday household cleaning, lemon juice, baking soda and vinegar are all natural products that can be used throughout the home with no fear of harsh chemicals. The other advantage of using these natural products is that you are not buying cleaners that come in plastic bottles.
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Buying clothes made of natural plant fibers also is a good alternative to buying polyester, which is again a manmade product. Clothing made from natural fibers will erode naturally and not take up space in a landfill. Many manufacturers now offer clothing made from hemp and bamboo. You can even purchase biodegradable shoes from such manufactures as OAT and Bio-D shoes.
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Although you may be buying biodegradable products in the hope that they will erode naturally and be environmentally safe, the truth is that those products may be around for a lot longer than you think. This is because today's landfills are not composting sites; they are garbage tombs. They have a clay and plastic lining built underneath them that stops the leakage of material into the ground. There is a covering of soil on top of the garbage to keep the smell in. The natural decaying process that depends on air, sunlight and microorganisms from the ground never happens in a landfill. The garbage just sits there and becomes mummified rather than decomposing.
by "environment clean generations"
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