What are non-biodegradable substances?

Non-biodegradable substances are materials that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by natural biological processes involving microorganisms. These substances either do not decompose or take an extremely long time to break down in the environment.

They are usually made from synthetic or chemically complex materials that microorganisms cannot easily act upon. As a result, they persist in the environment for years or even centuries.

Common examples include plastics, glass, metals, and certain chemicals like pesticides. These materials tend to accumulate in landfills, water bodies, and soil, leading to environmental pollution.

Non-biodegradable substances pose serious environmental challenges because they disrupt ecosystems, harm living organisms, and are difficult to dispose of safely.