How do biodegradable plastic bags degrade?

                                                                                                     How do biodegradable plastic bags degrade?

      Biodegradable plastic bags are a type of plastic bag made from biodegradable materials, which have the characteristics of biodegradability and environmental friendliness compared to traditional plastic bags. Under normal environmental conditions, biodegradable plastic bags will gradually degrade and convert into water and carbon dioxide.

      The degradation process of biodegradable plastic bags mainly involves two steps: physical degradation and biodegradation.

      Firstly, physical degradation refers to the gradual degradation of plastic bags through physical processes such as light exposure, oxidation, and hydrolysis in natural environments. Light exposure can expose the surface of plastic bags to ultraviolet radiation, causing the molecular chains of the plastic to break, thereby reducing the strength and durability of the bags. Oxidation and hydrolysis can cause microcracks on the surface of plastics, further accelerating the degradation of plastic bags.

      Furthermore, biodegradation refers to the process in which plastic bags are degraded by microorganisms. In the natural environment, there are various fungi in the soil that have the ability to degrade useful substances. These microorganisms secrete enzymes to degrade large molecule compounds in plastic bags, converting them into small molecule compounds such as water and carbon dioxide. These small molecule compounds can be further degraded and utilized by fungi, and then cycled with other organisms in the environment

     The degradation rate of biodegradable plastic bags is influenced by various factors, including environmental temperature, humidity, soil pH value, microbial community, etc. Under    suitable conditions, biodegradable plastic bags typically take several months to several years to fully degrade.

     Overall, the degradation process of biodegradable plastic bags is an environmentally friendly and sustainable process. Compared with traditional plastic bags, it can reduce environmental pollution and resource consumption. However, in order to ensure its proper disposal, we should also pay attention to the reasonable use and proper handling of biodegradable plastic bags, and avoid discarding them indiscriminately or mixing them with ordinary garbage.