Cling film is one of the indispensable tools in our daily kitchen use. It helps us to keep our food fresh and prolong its shelf life, but have you ever wondered what happens to the cling film you use once you discard it? How long does it actually take for it to completely degrade? In this article, we’ll delve into the decomposition cycle of cling film, taking you through more information about this commonly used item.
Cling film material
There are two main types of cling film on the market:
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC): low cost, but contains toxic additives, not easy to degrade, need hundreds or even thousands of years to decompose.
Polyethylene (PE): relatively safe, but still need hundreds or even thousands of years to completely decompose.
Environmental conditions
Environmental conditions also affect the decomposition rate of cling film. Generally speaking, the higher the temperature, the higher the humidity and the more abundant the oxygen, the faster the cling film decomposes.
Decomposition Process of Cling Film
Cling film decomposes in the natural environment mainly through photodegradation and biodegradation.
Photodegradation: under sunlight, the polymer chain in the cling film breaks down and eventually decomposes into small molecules.
Biodegradation: Microorganisms use cling film as a source of nutrition and break it down into inorganic substances.
How to reduce the use of cling film
To reduce our impact on the environment, we can minimize the use of cling film and choose biodegradable cling film. Here are some suggestions:
Use reusable alternatives: e.g. cling film containers, glass jars, ceramic jars, etc.
Buy biodegradable cling film: biodegradable cling film is usually made of renewable materials such as starch and cellulose, which decompose faster.
Use cling film wisely: minimize the amount used and avoid prolonged use.
Conclusion
The difficulty in degrading cling film deserves our attention. We can contribute to the protection of the environment by reducing its use and choosing biodegradable products.
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