Question

why do natural polymers not pose as much of an issue in landfills as synthetic polymers?
○ natural polymers are cheap to recycle, and synthetic polymers are expensive to recycle.
○ natural polymers are expensive to recycle, and synthetic polymers are cheap to recycle.
○ natural polymers are not biodegradable, and synthetic polymers are biodegradable.
○ natural polymers are biodegradable, and synthetic polymers are not biodegradable.

Explanation:

The key difference between natural and synthetic polymers in landfills is biodegradability. Natural polymers (e.g., starch, cellulose) are broken down by microorganisms, while most synthetic polymers (e.g., plastics) are not, leading to long-term accumulation.

Answer:

Natural polymers are biodegradable, and synthetic polymers are not biodegradable.