What does biodegradable mean

Mar 26, 2025

Organic substances can be decomposed and converted into small molecular substances under natural conditions or under artificial control. Because organisms have extremely diverse metabolic types and variability, microorganisms that can degrade organic matter that were supposed to be non-degradable have also been discovered, so it is possible to convert non-degradable organic matter into biodegradable.

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Identification of degradable tableware

Experts suggest that the degradable tableware can be distinguished by several methods of "one look, two smell, three tear":

At first glance, we must first see whether there is a QS logo and number on the lunch box; secondly, we must also see whether the surface of the lunch box is smooth and whether there are impurities or black spots. Generally speaking, transparent plastic lunch boxes are made of pure polypropylene (PP), which has a relatively high safety factor; brightly colored lunch boxes may use waste plastic, so the darker the color, the more unsafe.

The second touch is to feel the strength of the lunch box. The lunch box produced with recycled waste or a large amount of industrial-grade calcium carbonate and talcum powder is generally poor in strength, and it will break if you tear it lightly.

The third smell is to smell the peculiar smell of the lunch box, and the qualified lunch box cannot smell the smell.

The characteristics of the "black lunch box" can be summed up as a six-sentence jingle: the hand is soft and soft, it will break if you tear it lightly, it will cause a pungent smell, it will easily leak when heated, it will have paraffin marks when it is folded, and it will sink when it is torn into water. . As long as you remember the jingle above, you can easily distinguish whether the disposable lunch box is qualified.

Appearance of degradable tableware finished product

1. Normal color, no peculiar smell;

2. The surface is flat and clean, with uniform texture, no scratches, no wrinkles, peeling, cracks and perforations;

3. No oil, dust, mildew and other foreign matter on the surface;

4. The edges are smooth and regular. The cover with cover is convenient and flat, and the rebound cover should be unfastened.

Technical requirements for degradable tableware

It is necessary to use non-toxic, harmless, clean and non-polluting raw materials that comply with national food hygiene and environmental protection regulations and standards to make disposable degradable tableware. The following raw materials, additives, coatings and chemical agents are not allowed to make and process disposable degradable tableware:

1. Natural materials and their rough processed products that have not been decontaminated;

2. Invalidity, deterioration, mildew or contamination;

3. The content of harmful substances does not meet the hygienic standards;

4. Recycling of recycled materials;

5. Fluorescent brightener.

Green environmental protection packaging should meet three points, one is easy to recycle, the other is easy to dispose, and the third is easy to absorb, that is, it is easy to be integrated into the natural environment, but even degradable tableware cannot be achieved in a short time. Many degradation products claim that the degradation time is three to six months, but in fact, this is determined under a standard laboratory environment. In a natural environment, degradation is affected by various factors such as temperature and humidity. For example, if you put a lunch box in Where there is no water, it is difficult to degrade.” Under natural conditions, it takes at least one year for degradation products to degrade.

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