Write one difference between biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes. List two impacts of each type of the accumulated waste on environment if not disposed off properly.

Q: Write one difference between biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes. List two impacts of each type of the accumulated waste on environment if not disposed off properly.

### Difference between Biodegradable and Non-biodegradable Wastes | Feature | Biodegradable Wastes | Non-biodegradable Wastes | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Definition** | Substances that can be broken down into simpler, harmless inorganic substances by biological processes (action of bacteria and other saprophytes). | Substances that cannot be broken down by biological processes and persist in the environment for a long time. | | **Examples** | Vegetable peels, spoilt food, paper, wood. | Plastics, glass, pesticides, synthetic fibers. | --- ### Impacts of Accumulated Wastes if Not Disposed of Properly #### 1. Impacts of Biodegradable Waste: * **Foul Smell and Air Pollution**: The decomposition of accumulated organic waste releases foul-smelling gases like methane ($CH_4$) and hydrogen sulfide ($H_2S$), polluting the surrounding air. * **Breeding Ground for Pathogens**: Piles of rotting waste serve as breeding grounds for disease-carrying vectors like flies and mosquitoes, leading to the spread of epidemics like cholera and malaria. #### 2. Impacts of Non-biodegradable Waste: * **Soil and Water Pollution**: These substances persist in the soil and water bodies for hundreds of years, blocking water flow in drains and degrading soil fertility. * **Harm to Wildlife and Ecosystems**: Stray animals (like cows) often ingest plastic bags from garbage heaps, which can choke their digestive tracts and cause death. Additionally, toxic chemicals like pesticides enter food chains, causing biological magnification.

Our Environment

Managing the Garbage we Produce

Official Answer

Difference between Biodegradable and Non-biodegradable Wastes

Feature	Biodegradable Wastes	Non-biodegradable Wastes
Definition	Substances that can be broken down into simpler, harmless inorganic substances by biological processes (action of bacteria and other saprophytes).	Substances that cannot be broken down by biological processes and persist in the environment for a long time.
Examples	Vegetable peels, spoilt food, paper, wood.	Plastics, glass, pesticides, synthetic fibers.

Impacts of Accumulated Wastes if Not Disposed of Properly

#### 1. Impacts of Biodegradable Waste:

Foul Smell and Air Pollution: The decomposition of accumulated organic waste releases foul-smelling gases like methane ( $CH_4$ ) and hydrogen sulfide ( $H_2S$ ), polluting the surrounding air.
Breeding Ground for Pathogens: Piles of rotting waste serve as breeding grounds for disease-carrying vectors like flies and mosquitoes, leading to the spread of epidemics like cholera and malaria.

#### 2. Impacts of Non-biodegradable Waste:

Soil and Water Pollution: These substances persist in the soil and water bodies for hundreds of years, blocking water flow in drains and degrading soil fertility.
Harm to Wildlife and Ecosystems: Stray animals (like cows) often ingest plastic bags from garbage heaps, which can choke their digestive tracts and cause death. Additionally, toxic chemicals like pesticides enter food chains, causing biological magnification.

biodegradablenon-biodegradablebroken down by biological processespersist in the environmentfoul smellbreeding groundssoil and water pollutionharm to ecosystems

Marking Scheme

11 mark
21 mark
31 mark

Hint

Define them based on whether decomposers can break them down. For impacts, think about what happens to rotting food versus discarded plastic bags in a landfill or street.

Quick Oral Answer

Biodegradable wastes can be decomposed by microorganisms, whereas non-biodegradable wastes cannot. If not disposed of properly, biodegradable waste causes foul smells and diseases, while non-biodegradable waste causes long-term pollution and chokes animals.

Analysis & Explanation

Biodegradable wastes are organic materials that decomposers (bacteria and fungi) can easily break down using specific enzymes. However, if they accumulate in large quantities without proper disposal, their rapid anaerobic decomposition produces noxious gases and creates unhygienic conditions. Non-biodegradable wastes, on the other hand, lack specific enzymes in nature that can break them down. They remain inert and accumulate indefinitely. This leads to physical choking of ecosystems (like marine life choking on plastics) and chemical poisoning of food webs.

Common Mistakes

1Stating that biodegradable waste has absolutely no negative impact on the environment.
2Confusing physical weathering (like heat and pressure breaking plastic) with biological decomposition.

Interesting Facts

Some modern 'biodegradable plastics' require very specific industrial composting conditions (high temperature and humidity) to break down and do not degrade easily if just thrown into a normal landfill or ocean.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many marks does this question carry in CBSE Class 10 Science 2023?

This question carries 3 marks in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2023 examination.

Which chapter does this question come from in Science?

This question is from the chapter "Our Environment" in the CBSE Class 10 Science syllabus.

What topic does this question cover in Science?

This question covers the topic "Managing the Garbage we Produce" from CBSE Class 10 Science.

What type of question is this in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2023 paper?

This is a Short Answer question from Section C in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2023 paper.