- 2072 Asoj · 2 marks
Non-biodegradable polymers and demerits
Short answer
Non-biodegradable polymers resist microbial decomposition, e.g., PE, PVC. Demerits: persistent solid waste causing pollution, microplastics, toxic gases when burned, harm to wildlife, reduced soil fertility, difficult and costly recycling.
What are non-biodegradable polymers? What are the demerits of using them?
Non-biodegradable polymers are polymers that cannot be decomposed by microorganisms and stay in the environment for hundreds of years. Most have stable C–C backbones. Examples: polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC, polystyrene, PTFE, nylon 6,6, Bakelite.
Demerits
- Accumulate as solid waste in land, rivers and oceans, causing plastic pollution, choking drains (which leads to urban flooding) and harming animals that swallow them.
- Reduce soil fertility and block water seeping into the ground.
- Burning releases toxic gases (CO, dioxins, HCl from PVC, HCN) and CO₂.
- Break into microplastics that enter the food chain.
- Recycling is difficult and costly, especially for thermosetting plastics.
✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)
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