The term ‘biodegradable’ is often used to describe a material’s ability to be broken down naturally by the environment through a process known as biodegradation. During this process, organic matter, such as that found in plants and animals, is torn apart, broken down and digested by fungi and microbes. What remains is a nutrient-rich biomass that fuels the growth of new plants and animals in a repeating and self-sustaining process – it’s quite literally the circle of life.
One of the most important aspects of biodegradation is the transfer of carbon. Often referred to simply as the carbon cycle, this natural undertaking