Question

Which of the following group is not ‘biodegradable’ ?

• A. Vegetable peels, dead leaves, paper
• B. Cow dung, leather bag, water
• C. Polythene bag, rubber band, ball pen
• D. Paper, fruits, bones

Hint:

Plastics, glass, and heavy metals are the most common examples of non-biodegradable pollutants used in such questions.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Biodegradable substances are those that can be broken down by biological processes (microorganisms like bacteria and fungi).
Non-biodegradable substances persist in the environment for a long time and are not decomposed by microbes.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
- Group (A): All are organic and biodegradable.
- Group (B): Cow dung and leather are biodegradable. Water is an inorganic compound but does not fit the "waste decomposition" category in this context.
- Group (C): Polythene (plastic) and the plastic/metal components of a ball pen are synthetic polymers that do not decompose. Synthetic rubber bands also take an extremely long time to degrade. This group is non-biodegradable.
- Group (D): All are organic and biodegradable (though bones take longer).
Step 3: Final Answer:
Group (C) contains items that are not biodegradable.