<p>How long does it take for the plastic/polythene shopping bags marked <strong>biodegradable</strong> to <em>biodegrade</em>?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-09-21T14:58:07.923Z
Welcome to Earth Science Stack Exchange! I found [one](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodegradable_plastic), [two](http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2009/05/do-biodegradable-plastics-really-work), [three](http://science.howstuffworks.com/science-vs-myth/everyday-myths/how-long-does-it-take-for-plastics-to-biodegrade.htm) leads quite easily... Maybe you will have more specific questions after some research.
Matt Hall
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-09-21T15:27:01.853Z
Thanks @kwinkunks. But I have read these and other articles on the web and none gives  a definitive answer (or any at all)! My own conclusion is that in nature biodegradable plastics/shopping-bags don't biodegrade at all! They only biodegrade in controlled, usually industrial, conditions.
Ali Khan
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-09-21T20:31:32.337Z
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it more suitable for http://sustainability.stackexchange.com.
BHF
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-09-21T20:46:17.837Z
@BHF I'm inclined to agree, but I can imagine more specific versions of this question that are about physical processes in/on the earth. If the OP cares to ask such a question...
Matt Hall
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-09-22T11:59:41.490Z
You will have to define *biodegradable* if you want answers based on facts, i.e. you can only expect a meaningful answer (also on http://sustainability.stackexchange.com/) if you ask for a bag **made of .....**
Jan Doggen
<environmental-protection>
Biodegradation time for biodegradable shopping bags?
Ali Khan
# Biodegradation time for biodegradable shopping bags?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-09-21)

How long does it take for the plastic/polythene shopping bags marked **biodegradable** to *biodegrade*?

**Tags:** environmental-protection

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Welcome to Earth Science Stack Exchange! I found [one](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodegradable_plastic), [two](http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2009/05/do-biodegradable-plastics-really-work), [three](http://science.howstuffworks.com/science-vs-myth/everyday-myths/how-long-does-it-take-for-plastics-to-biodegrade.htm) leads quite easily... Maybe you will have more specific questions after some research.  
> **username_0**: Thanks @kwinkunks. But I have read these and other articles on the web and none gives  a definitive answer (or any at all)! My own conclusion is that in nature biodegradable plastics/shopping-bags don't biodegrade at all! They only biodegrade in controlled, usually industrial, conditions.  
> **username_2**: I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it more suitable for http://sustainability.stackexchange.com.  
> **username_1**: @username_2 I'm inclined to agree, but I can imagine more specific versions of this question that are about physical processes in/on the earth. If the OP cares to ask such a question...  
> **username_3**: You will have to define *biodegradable* if you want answers based on facts, i.e. you can only expect a meaningful answer (also on http://sustainability.stackexchange.com/) if you ask for a bag **made of .....**  

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## 0 answers

