Reflecting on the Non-biodegradability of Synthetic Fibers

Why are synthetic fibers non-biodegradable?

a) Synthetic fibers are biodegradable, and there are no examples of non-biodegradable synthetic fibers.
b) Synthetic fibers like nylon and polyester are non-biodegradable and persist in the environment for a long time.
c) Synthetic fibers decompose quickly in natural conditions.
d) Synthetic fibers are made from natural materials, making them biodegradable. Final answer:

Answer:

Synthetic fibers, such as nylon, polyester, and especially polyethylene, are not biodegradable because they are formed from petrochemical-derived monomers.

Synthetic fibers, including landfill-choking materials like nylon and polyester, are fundamentally non-biodegradable, meaning they do not break down naturally in the environment. An example of this is polyethylene, a type of plastic.

Polyethylene is a synthetic polymer, molded from long-chain organic molecules with high molecular masses. The monomers forming these fibers, like ethylene, propylene, vinyl chloride, styrene, and ethylene terephthalate, are derived from petrochemicals and are notably resistant to biodegradation. This quality renders them potential materials for recycling as a means to mitigate environmental impacts related to non-biodegradability.