Which among cellulose, nylon-6, PVC and PE is a biodegradable polymer? 

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The article will explain which among the given polymers is biodegradable and will also shed light on associated topics such as 

  • Naturality 
  • Composting 
  • Steps of composting 
  • Recycling 
  • Steps of recycling

Which among cellulose, nylon-6, PVC and PE is a biodegradable polymer?

The biodegradable polymer among the other polymers including PVC, PE, and nylon-6 is cellulose. 

Cellulose is a biological compound that is present in living systems. For example, cellulose may be found in trees and plants. 

Since cellulose is extracted from nature, its return back to nature is also possible and that is what biodegradation is. However, let us diverge further into the theory and practice of biodegradation. Biodegradation is the breakdown that is caused by microbes and as a result, materials are converted into simpler materials that can return to nature again.

However, degradation is a simple breakdown by external conditions and the end results can not be assimilated back into nature.

When it comes to degradation, yes it is possible. Almost everything can degrade under the influence of external conditions. 

If we talk about other candidates, it can be said that PVC, PE and Nylon are synthetic polymers that are not present in nature but are made in synthetic ways and therefore, their return back to nature (which is termed biodegradation) is also not possible. 

Which among cellulose, nylon-6, PVC and PE can be converted to a fertiliser?

Since cellulose is organic in nature, the polymer can be added to the compost pile so that the waste from the polymer can be made into compost. 

Many people think that biodegradation and composting are identical things, however, in reality, there are some discrepancies between the two; however subtle they are. 

The rule of thumb, however, is that when something is biodegradable, it also can be composted providing the fact that there are no negative effects rendered on life in any way. 

The basic idea of composting is to increase the organic content of the soil so that there can be benefits that can be achieved such as water conservation, increased yield, better growth et cetera. 

Therefore, composting can be done only with that waste that has organic content in it so that it can be converted into organic compost which can be used as a fertiliser. 

Another advantage that is offered by composting is that the compost can be used as a natural fertiliser. This is not only good for your soil or field but also replaces synthetic and chemical-based fertilisers known to cause negative and detrimental impacts on the soil and associated life. 

The next important question is how to. The how-to will be explained below 

What are the steps involved? (7 steps) 

When it comes to being practical with composting, there are several points that you can keep in mind. 

When it comes to composting, there are mainly two polarities that you need to be mindful of. One is that composting can be done at commercial centres and the other is that composting can be done at homes too. 

When it comes to composting in the composting centres, all you need to do is to give your guinea pig bedding to the composting centres. The rest will be done by them. 

However, when it comes to composting at home, there are some simple steps that you can take the advantage of. 

Regardless, the subjective point of view of many is that composting at home is a lot more fun and makes you one step closer to being eco-friendly. 

  • Selection of suitable place 
  • The place should be accessible but decently distant as well 
  • The next step is the making of a compost pile. This can be done openly or in a compost bin.
  • The second option is usually pursued when you need to do hot composting. 
  • Composting is done with two types of materials. One is brown and the other is green. You need to create a balanced ratio of both to achieve optimal results. 
  • The next step is the continuous mixing and aerating of the compost pile. Once a week should do. 
  • The compost should be ready within 5-8 months depending on the type of composting and external conditions provided and facilitated.

Is cellulose natural and eco-friendly?

Yes, cellulose is both natural and eco-friendly because it exists in nature and therefore, it is termed biodegradable and compostable. 

This means that cellulose will not contribute to waste problems and also has the potential to be used as a natural fertiliser, replacing synthetic fertilisers. 

Furthermore, the products made from cellulose are also eco-friendly as the products can be reused, repurposed, recycled, and even composted (provided that there is no chemical infiltration). 

What is the case for recycling?

Recycling is an appreciated process for both biodegradable and non-biodegradable materials. However, the relevance and eminence of recycling increase many times in the case of non-biodegradable materials. 

The reason is that biodegradable material will not that greatly cause waste buildup and also can be composted (if the conditions render it possible). However, these options are limited and extinguished in the case of non-biodegradable materials such as PVC. 

Therefore, we need to know whether the given polymers can be recycled or not. When it comes to that, there is good news because all the given polymers such as nylon-66, plastics (PolyVinyl Chloride and Polyethene) and cellulose can be recycled. 

The products made from these materials can be recycled, repurposed, donated, upcycled, and given to charity organisations as well. 

Recycling can be done by 

  • Discarding in recycling bins (green-coloured bins) 
  • Contacting the nearby recycling centres for a drop-off or pickup 
  • Looking up third-party recycling organisations and similar private ventures 

Conclusion 

It is concluded that cellulose is the biodegradable polymer among the given polymers. It is actually both natural and organic. 

Cellulose is organic in nature, the polymer can be added to the compost pile so that the waste from the polymer can be made into compost. The article also explained steps and ways to actually do it. 

The recycling aspect and naturality were also covered and it was concluded that cellulose is eco-friendly because it is 

  • Biodegradable 
  • Compostable
  • Non-toxic 
  • Naturally sourced
  • Renewable 

References

  • Burkinshaw, S. M. (1995). Nylon. In Chemical Principles of Synthetic Fibre Dyeing (pp. 77-156). Springer, Dordrecht.
  • Motloung, M. P., Ojijo, V., Bandyopadhyay, J., & Ray, S. S. (2019). Cellulose nanostructure-based biodegradable nanocomposite foams: a brief overview on the recent advancements and perspectives. Polymers, 11(8), 1270.
  • Kubowicz, S., & Booth, A. M. (2017). Biodegradability of plastics: challenges and misconceptions.

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