Biodegradation

Biodegradation is like when we eat our food and our body breaks it down into small pieces so we can use it for energy. Just like that, biodegradation is when tiny living things like bacteria, fungi and worms eat up things like plants, animals and trash, and break them down into small pieces called molecules. They then use these molecules to grow and make energy for themselves.

Sometimes, things can’t be broken down easily by these small living things, like plastic or metal, so they stay around for a very very long time. That’s why it’s important for us to reduce our use of things that can’t be easily broken down, and try to recycle or compost as much as we can to help the living things do their job in keeping our environment clean and healthy.