"The change in packaging has resulted in waste becoming non-biodegradable." Giving two examples from daily life, justify this statement.
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 06:45 · grounding rag
Model Answer
Changes in packaging have introduced materials like plastic bags and thermocol (polystyrene) packaging, which cannot be broken down by biological processes and persist in the environment for a long time.
Examples:
- Earlier, groceries were packed in paper/cloth bags (biodegradable); now plastic carry bags are used, which are non-biodegradable.
- Earlier, food items came in newspaper wrapping; now they are packed in plastic or thermocol containers, which are non-biodegradable.
Source: Chapter 13, Section 13.2.2 — Managing the Garbage we Produce
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Explanation
The question directly links to the textbook line: "Changes in packaging have resulted in much of our waste becoming non-biodegradable." Examiners expect you to:
- State why the new packaging materials are non-biodegradable (enzymes/bacteria cannot break them down).
- Give two clear, contrasting examples — old biodegradable packaging vs. new non-biodegradable packaging. This contrast earns both marks.
- Avoid vague answers; be specific (plastic bags, thermocol, etc.).