20.1.4—The difficulty of the disposal

Many poly(alkenes) are not readily biodegradable because their carbon backbones resist biological breakdown. Disposal by burning can produce CO₂ and, if combustion is incomplete or substituents are present, other harmful products.

The environmental issue is a life-cycle trade-off: collection, mechanical recycling, chemical recycling, energy recovery and landfill have different costs and emissions.

PVC disposal needs special care because chlorine-containing material can form acidic or chlorinated products if burned poorly; controlled conditions and treatment matter.

“Non-biodegradable” does not mean impossible to recycle, and recycling is not impact-free.