To determine which group is not biodegradable, we need to understand what constitutes biodegradable and non-biodegradable materials:
- Biodegradable materials are substances that can be broken down by natural processes involving microorganisms like bacteria and fungi. Common examples include vegetable peels, dead leaves, paper, cow dung, leather, and fruits.
- Non-biodegradable materials are substances that cannot be easily broken down by natural processes. These often persist in the environment for a long time, causing pollution. Examples include polythene bags, rubber items, and certain types of plastics, like ball pens.
Now, examining the given options:
- Vegetable peels, dead leaves, paper: All these items are biodegradable as they can decompose naturally.
- Cow dung, leather bag, water: These are also biodegradable. Cow dung and leather (assuming it's natural leather) can decompose, and water naturally cycles through the environment.
- Polythene bag, rubber band, ball pen: These items are non-biodegradable. Polythene (plastic) and rubber can persist in the environment without decomposing for long periods, contributing to pollution.
- Paper, fruits, bones: These are biodegradable. Paper and fruits decompose naturally, and so do bones over a longer time span.
Thus, the group that is not biodegradable is Polythene bag, rubber band, ball pen.
The correct answer, therefore, is:
Polythene bag, rubber band, ball pen