How are biodegradable bags decomposed?

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Biodegradable bags are mainly decomposed through the following ways:

1、 Microbial decomposition

Biodegradable bags are usually made of natural polymer materials (such as starch, cellulose, etc.) or synthetic biodegradable polymers. These materials can be recognized by microorganisms in nature, such as bacteria, fungi, etc., as usable sources of nutrients.

Microbial attachment: Microorganisms first attach to the surface of biodegradable bags. They attack the material of the bag by secreting various enzymes. These enzymes can break down the chemical bonds of polymers, breaking down large molecules into small ones.

Metabolic process: Microorganisms absorb decomposed small molecules into their bodies and convert them into harmless substances such as water, carbon dioxide, and biomass through metabolic processes. This process usually requires a certain amount of time and suitable environmental conditions, such as temperature, humidity, and oxygen content.

2、 Hydrolysis process

For some biodegradable polymers, such as polylactic acid (PLA), hydrolysis is an important decomposition method.

Absorb moisture: In humid environments, biodegradable bags absorb moisture. Water molecules penetrate into the molecular structure of polymers and react with their chemical bonds.

Chemical bond breakage: Hydrolysis causes chemical bond breakage in polymers, breaking down polymer chains into smaller molecular fragments. These molecular fragments can be further decomposed by microorganisms or degraded through other means.

3、 Photodegradation

Some biodegradable bags contain photolytic agents that can accelerate decomposition under sunlight.

Absorption of Light Energy: Photodegradation agents absorb ultraviolet or visible light energy from sunlight. These energies excite the molecules of photolytic agents, causing them to undergo chemical reactions.

Triggering degradation: The active substance produced by the photodegradation agent can attack the polymer molecules of the biodegradable bag, triggering a degradation reaction. This process usually causes the molecular chains of the polymer to break, reducing the strength of the bag and gradually decomposing.

It should be noted that the decomposition rate of biodegradable bags is influenced by various factors, such as the type of material, environmental conditions, and the type and quantity of microorganisms. Under suitable conditions, biodegradable bags can decompose in a relatively short time, but under some unfavorable conditions, the decomposition rate may slow down. In addition, to ensure that biodegradable bags can effectively decompose, it is necessary to handle and dispose of them correctly, avoiding mixing them with traditional plastics to avoid affecting the degradation effect.

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