Kraig Scarbinsky/Photodisc/Getty Images
Biodegradable products or materials are naturally broken down by biological agents, such as bacteria and fungi, into raw materials. The goal of supplementing biodegradable products in your everyday life is to recycle our natural resources and keep the Earth clean and free of growing landfills. According to The Environment Today, not all products that claim to be biodegradable are safe or effective. Some products may produce harmful toxins as they break down while others can take more than 30 years to break down, or cannot break down in landfills. Read product labels and reviews when shopping for biodegradable items to add to your house, office or yard.
At Home
You most likely use more biodegradable products on a daily basis in your home than you are consciously aware of. Some of these items include food scraps and coffee grounds, paper towels, toilet paper, newspapers, junk mail, paper plates and cups, clothing and towels. The market for biodegradable household goods is growing fast and there are a number of various products currently being released. You can now find biodegradable dish soap, dishwasher detergent, laundry detergent, glass and multipurpose cleaners, diapers, pet waste bags, trash bags and eating utensils.
At School and Work
Similar to your home, there are numerous biodegradable products used throughout the majority of schools, from kindergarten to universities, as well as in the average workplace. These items include printer paper, paper towels, toilet paper, paper plates, bowls and cups, parts of textbooks and notebooks, paper folders and cardboard boxes. In addition, many school and office supply companies are responding to the growing demand for biodegradable products. According to physorg.com, some companies are now producing biodegradable pens, mechanical pencils, rulers, pencil cases, page protectors and project folders.
In the Garden
It is outside, in your garden or yard, that you may be the most green. Almost all of the waste that comes from your garden or yard is biodegradable, such as weeds, grass and plant clippings, fall leaves, peat pots, plant stakes and plant-based pesticides. Purchase all-natural and organic fertilizers to grow your garden and buy biodegradable lawn trash bags to collect all the waste.
Related Articles
Types of Biodegradable Products
What Are the Uses of Vermicompost?
How to Buy Play-Doh in Bulk
What Is Dye Made From?
Bugs That Get Into Pantry & Food
Advantages of Vermicompost
Effective Ways of Recycling & Reducing ...
Alternatives to a Styrofoam Cup
Fiber Sure by Metamucil Ingredients
Health Benefits of Organic Foods Vs. ...
What Is Polyurethane Coated Leather?
Where to Find Walden Farms Products
Environmental Impact of Disposable ...
Examples of Green Products
Uses of Sorghum
Cellophane vs. Polypropylene
The Disadvantages of Vermicompost
How to Make Organic Shoe Polish
How to: Eucalyptus Oil as a Flea ...
The Definition of "Go Green"
References
Writer Bio
Based in Colorado, Caitlin Fleur Erwin began writing in 2003. She is currently a Demand Studios writer for eHow and LIVESTRONG.COM Lifestyles. She has a bachelor's degree in English with a creative writing emphasis as well as a minor in dance from the University of Colorado.
Photo Credits
Kraig Scarbinsky/Photodisc/Getty Images