Which of the following materials is not easily biodegradable?

Step 1: Analyze the question "Biodegradable" means a material can be broken down by microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) into simpler substances. We need the material that does NOT break down easily.

Step 2: Explain the concept

• Biodegradable materials come from living things (plants and animals). Microbes have enzymes that can digest them.
• Non-biodegradable materials are usually synthetic (man-made) products, such as plastics, which microbes cannot easily digest.

Step 3: Examine each option

• A. Polythene bag: Polythene is a synthetic plastic made from petroleum. Microorganisms lack the enzymes to break it down, so it can stay in the soil for hundreds of years. This is not easily biodegradable.
• B. Cotton bag: Cotton is plant fibre (cellulose), and it is broken down by microbes. It is biodegradable.
• C. Hides and skin bag: Hides and skin are animal protein (collagen), which decomposes naturally. It is biodegradable (even if tanned leather is slower, it still decays).
• D. Paper bag: Paper is made from plant cellulose, so it decays quickly. It is biodegradable.

Step 4: Answer The only synthetic material among the options is polythene, so it is the one that is not easily biodegradable.

Correct answer: A. Polythene bag

Tip: Think "natural vs synthetic." If a material comes from plants or animals (cotton, paper, leather, wood), it is biodegradable. If it is a plastic or polythene product, it is not. This is also why polythene waste is a major cause of blocked drainages and flooding in Nigerian cities like Lagos, a common theme in WASSCE environmental questions.