Polymers disposed in landfill are typically described as which property?

Polymers disposed in landfill are typically described as which property?

• A. Non Biodegradable
• B. Biodegradable
• C. Recyclable
• D. Flammable

Answer: (A)

Polymers disposed in landfill are typically non-biodegradable. Biodegradable means they can be broken down by micro-organisms into simpler substances within a reasonable time, which isn’t the case for most plastics used as polymers. In landfills, these polymers persist for many years because they resist microbial attack, so “non-biodegradable” best describes their behavior. The other terms don’t fit as well: recyclability is about whether a material can be reprocessed into new products, not its behavior once buried, and flammability isn’t the defining trait for waste in a landfill.

Polymers disposed in landfill are typically non-biodegradable. Biodegradable means they can be broken down by micro-organisms into simpler substances within a reasonable time, which isn’t the case for most plastics used as polymers. In landfills, these polymers persist for many years because they resist microbial attack, so “non-biodegradable” best describes their behavior. The other terms don’t fit as well: recyclability is about whether a material can be reprocessed into new products, not its behavior once buried, and flammability isn’t the defining trait for waste in a landfill.