Differences between Biodegradable and Non-biodegradable substances

Differences between Biodegradable and Non-biodegradable substances:

1. Biodegradable is referred to all those things that can be easily decomposed by natural agents. Natural agents include water, oxygen, ultraviolet rays of the sun, acid rains, microorganisms, etc. On the other hand non-biodegradable substances are never broken down or decomposed by environmental factors.
2. Biodegradable substances include food waste like vegetable and fruit peels, dead plants and animals, chicken, egg shells, paper materials, garden waste etc. Non-biodegradable things consist of  plastics, polystyrene, metals, plastic and aluminum cans, toxic chemicals, paints, tyres, etc.
3. Biodegradable substances on breaking up are converted into simple organic matter and are thus assimilated in the soil and thus becomes a part of the carbon cycle of the atmosphere. On the contrary, non-biodegradable substances are resistant to the environmental factors and never decompose and instead contribute to majority of the solid waste.
4. Biodegradable substances may decompose within few days or months while non-biodegradable items may take thousands of years or may never ever be broken down and remain in their original form as it is.