How long does it take for paper to decompose? Which trash bags decompose faster? Classification of additives that accelerate the decomposition of plastic

Scientists have already proven that plastic bottles and bags can lie for hundreds, thousands and even millions of years and not decompose.
Here is a list of the things we throw away and how long it takes for that garbage to decompose.

2 weeks
Apple cores and other fruit leftovers.
Although this is a fairly short time to decompose, leftover food on the ground can attract unwanted "friends" such as rats.

About 1 month
paper napkins, paper bags, newspapers, paper towels.
The time it takes these things to decompose can vary greatly, as it depends on how you got rid of that type of trash.

6 weeks
Cereal boxes, paper bags, banana peels.
Banana peel may take longer to decompose if the weather is cooler. Since the peel is designed to keep the fruit fresh, it is high in cellulose, the same material that plastic bags are made from.
Some conservationists warn that the skins of some fruits, including banana peels, can take months to decompose. Even if the product is natural, this does not mean that it decomposes quickly.

2 to 3 months
Cardboard packaging for milk and juices and other types of cardboard.
The decomposition time of the cardboard primarily depends on its thickness. It is worth noting that some cartons may contain chemicals that significantly slow down the decomposition process.

6 months
Cotton clothes and paper books.
Of all types of fabrics, cotton decomposes the fastest because it is natural. If the cotton fabric thrown into the landfill is rather thin, then in warm weather it can decompose in just a week.

1 year
Woolen clothes (sweaters, socks).
Wool - natural product and can decompose relatively quickly. What's more, as wool decomposes, it releases soil-friendly elements such as keratins. This product cannot be called completely garbage, as it does not cause long-term harm. environment.

2 years
Orange peel, plywood.

Up to 5 years
Heavy clothing made of wool, such as a coat or overcoat.

Up to 20 years
Plastic bags. But studies show that in some cases, plastic bags can take up to 1,000 years to decompose.
Lots of new plastic bags designed to degrade quickly when exposed to direct sunlight.
However, most plastic bags are made from high-density polyethylene. Microorganisms in the ground do not perceive the chemicals that make up the bag as food, and therefore they do not participate in its decomposition.

30-40 years old
Products containing nylon: bodysuits, windbreakers, carpets, diapers. Some scientists believe that such goods can take up to 500 years to decompose, depending on environmental conditions.
While diapers are quite comfortable, they are also quite toxic, even if you haven't used them yet. They are processed with a variety of chemicals such as toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, and dipentene, as well as a chemical called dioxin, which is a highly toxic carcinogen.

50 years
Cans, car tires, foam cups, leather.
Leather can be chemically treated (as in the case of fashion items) and take much longer to decompose.
The thick leather used to make shoes can take up to 80 years to decompose.

70 to 80 years old
rustling plastic bags(from chips and packaging, for example).
Despite the fact that a person eats the contents of a bag of chips very quickly, the bags themselves decompose for a long time. For example, a US resident found an empty bag of crisps on a Devon beach, dated 1967, but the bag itself looked like it had been thrown away last week.

About 100 years
Polyethylene products.
Of course, the decomposition time depends on the density and structure of the product. For example, ordinary plastic shopping bags can take up to 100 years to decompose.
Also in the category of things that more than a century can decompose includes plastic bottles and various plastic containers and bowls.
It is worth noting that small parts made of polyethylene can be dangerous for animals that can choke on them.

About 200 years
Aluminum cans (from beer or soda, for example).
In this case, everything also depends on the density of the material and its structure. At best, such objects decompose for 200 years, but this process can take up to half a millennium.
It is worth noting that, like plastic products, such items are dangerous for small animals that can climb into an empty jar and get stuck in it.
Such cans can be recycled many times and this process requires much less energy than creating a new can. Using the same amount of energy, you can make 20 recycled cans or 1 new aluminum can.

500 years
Plastic bottles.
In general, petrochemical products such as plastic bottles never completely decompose, and chemical elements just stay in the ground.

1 to 2 million years
Glass jars and bottles
Goods made of glass can even be stored forever, because glass, created in lava flows millions of years ago, is still there.
Basically, glass consists of quartz, or rather quartz sand (SiO2) - one of the most stable and durable minerals on our planet.
The only problem with glass is that it shatters and the pieces become dangerous to animals, who might mistake them for food.

Over 2 million years
Batteries
Although the thin metal shell of batteries decomposes relatively quickly, toxic chemical substances inside (zinc chloride, lead, mercury, cadmium) are absorbed into the ground.
Therefore, batteries should not just be thrown away, but recycled.

Mother Earth and lamenting about this, it is worth mentioning one of the main reasons for the lurking danger - a long-term, in most cases accompanied by the release of toxic substances. Let's jump ahead a bit and see what awaits our descendants who have decided to explore the soil profiles of urban horizons.

We remember that in nature, therefore, we will not find garbage remains of natural origin (vegetable or animal), because they decompose the fastest.

So, animal droppings(by the way, valuable) decomposes in a maximum of 10 days.

And here fallen leaves, small twigs, will gradually rot, turning into a humus mass in a month or a whole season.

large branches take longer to decompose, but after a maximum of 10 years, there will be no trace left of them.

banana peel- neither less nor more, and the decomposition period is up to 6 months, so throw it under the nearest bush, with the thought: “It will rot soon!” not worth it.

The ubiquitous microorganisms are processed on average in a few weeks.

And here remains of bones can lie for 5 or 6 years, but, in general, no more than 8.

Cloth from decomposes in 2-3 years, while not causing damage to the environment, which cannot be said about synthetic materials the period of decomposition of which is up to 40 years.

And here woolen products much more because it takes only a year to “digest” them.

Decomposition timeline paper differ. So, a discarded trolleybus ticket will completely disappear from the face of the Earth in just a month. decomposes in 2-3 years, and wax paper - as much as 5 years. By the way, it is strictly forbidden to burn paper together with food, as this can result in the formation of dioxides.

Wooden crafts decompose for up to 10 years. However, the degree of wood processing plays a significant role in this process. So if ordinary boards decompose in 4 years, then covered with a layer of paint- already for 13.

The bank is one of the most popular. Do you know how long it takes for these containers, often disposable, to decay? Iron banks up to 10 years required tin- about 90, but aluminum- about 500. Only 5 centuries, nothing compared to eternity :).

What else to remember? Oh yes. Ubiquitous polyethylene. So, the decomposition time of products from this material depends on the initial density and structure. For example, ordinary thin plastic bags, in which sellers love to wrap everything so much, decompose for 100-200 years. The company they are "partners" - and containers.

A small filter carelessly thrown away cigarette butt b will slowly give up their positions, decomposing for more than 3 years.

The usual ones, which recommend housewives to change at least once a week due to the development of microorganisms, after seven days of hard work go to a well-deserved rest. True, it comes only within the next 200 years.

Do you know how much garbage decomposes? Do not know? Well, in vain - they would be in the know, they would not litter around themselves so much. It is especially striking how many years plastic decomposes - the most popular material for all occasions. We will tell you the most useful facts and tips for you to share it with your friends and benefit our planet Earth.

How many different types of garbage decompose: read and be surprised

How long plastic decomposes: ordinary plastic bags decompose in 100 years, but heavy plastic or chemical containers lie for 500 years. Those are some amazing numbers! Therefore, it is worth using decomposing bags made of environmental materials.

Dear moms, do you know how long a diaper decomposes? - As many as 500 years, so at least throw it in trash can and not past it.

How long does glass decompose: 1 million years! Amazed? We, too. Now put all glass bottles in special containers that will be recycled.

Do you know how long a tree decomposes? About 10 years, but oak, beech - longer.

Kurtsy, if you do not know how much a cigarette butt decomposes, we will answer: 5 years. That's how much a cigarette decomposes due to the cellulose acetate it contains. Are you still throwing bulls everywhere?

How long does polyethylene decompose: 100 years. Therefore, now scientists around the world are thinking about the question of how to replace it. We suggest using paper bags.

Fans of chewing, not talking, may be wondering how much gum decomposes in the ground. In hot climates, this will take 30 years, and in cold climates, several hundred years.

How long the metal decomposes: 100 years or more, depending of course which metal.

And here plastic bottle decomposed for over 100 years. Considering how much a bag decomposes and how much plastic decomposes, let's not be pigs.

And remember yourself, and share this information with others to think about it. Here is a visual video on Youtube that will tell you what our bad upbringing costs for nature.

We are waiting for your likes and comments. J Was the article helpful to you? Read it to your teenage children. They often do not think about how badly such thoughtlessness and laziness affects nature. Bringing garbage to the bin is much easier than dealing with the consequences that soil pollution brings. Waste recycling technologies are improving, the main thing is that the garbage gets where it should be - to the landfill. Respect the work of janitors. We also advise you to watch a video from Youtube about how each of us can not only not litter, but also clean up a certain area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe forest or our yard to make it clean.

Where paper can be used, use it, not plastic. This can improve the ecology and conservation of species in your area. Many materials are toxic, they are very harmful to both plants and animals, pollute water bodies. Think about it. And so too many factors, especially in big cities, affect the environment.

Many of us throw garbage anywhere, in any place, in nature and wherever we want! Have you ever wondered how long it will take to decompose? I don't think so. So let's read this publication to know how long this garbage that we throw on the streets will lie for years. The publication is informative, I hope many will draw the right conclusions!

Animal droppings are a problem in big cities. The decomposition period is small, only 10-15 days, but it causes a lot of trouble.


Food waste. They decompose in about a month.


Newsprint. Decomposition period from 1 month to 1 season


Leaves, seeds, twigs. Even they can cause serious pollution in urban environments. Decomposition period 3 - 4 months


Cardboard boxes decompose within 3 months


Paper. The most common, office paper decomposes in 2 years


Boards from the construction site. If they are not properly cared for, they can decompose up to 10 years.


Decomposition period 11 - 13 years


Iron banks. term 10 years


Old shoes - 10 years


Fragments of brick and concrete 100 years


Car batteries for about 100 years


Foil over 100 years old


Electric batteries 110 years old


Rubber tires 120-140 years


Plastic bottles. about 180-200 years old


Aluminum cans are almost the most hazardous waste. Decomposition period 500 years


And finally glass. No one knows how much it is already stuffed in our places of rest. The period of glass decomposition is more than 1000 years, at least another 12-15 generations will enjoy our fragments.

Every day in the process of life of one person, about a kilogram of garbage is generated. Tons accumulate in cities every day household waste. How much garbage decomposes depends on what it was originally, more precisely - from natural or industrial material items were made or produced.

Garbage is of organic and inorganic origin, and the period of its decomposition can vary from a couple of weeks to decades.

How long does it take for organic waste to completely decompose?

• Organic products of natural origin decompose quite quickly: animal droppings turn into valuable fertilizer in just 10 days.
• Small plant residues - fallen leaves, fruits, seeds, dried grass - gradually rot, and completely turn into humus within a month, at least the next year. Therefore, it is better to use all this organic “wealth” in the fall, and use it for the benefit of your garden or even flower beds. For the decomposition of large branches, much more time is required - up to 10 years.
• Before throwing the peel from the eaten banana on the ground, you should think carefully: after all, its decomposition period can reach six months.
• Leftover food will be processed by rotting bacteria in a couple of weeks (and even faster).
• It will take about three years for clothing made from cotton, viscose, and linen to completely decompose.
• Products made of natural wool are destroyed by microorganisms in a shorter period - about a year.
• Paper waste decomposes into different dates: a regular bus ticket disappears in a month, newspapers and books in 2 years, and waxed paper in at least 5 years.

Do not burn together paper and food waste: as a result of such combustion, harmful substances- dioxides.

How long do different types of garbage decompose?

Wood products, like large wood residues, decompose in up to 10 years, but much depends on what kind of treatment the wood has been subjected to. While conventional planed boards take about 4 years to decompose, lacquered or oil-painted boards take longer, over 13 years.

Convenient and widespread packaging for many food products is a bank. It takes about 10 years for an iron can to decompose completely, a tin container takes longer to decompose - up to 90 years, and an aluminum container to completely disappear from the face of the earth will take up to 500 years.

Polyethylene bags, in which most of the goods are packaged, decompose in a period of 100 to 200 years.

A cigarette butt thrown on the ground, or rather, a cigarette filter, will decay up to 3 years.

Every housewife uses sponges for washing dishes, the decomposition period of which is about two centuries.

The invention of disposable diapers has made life easier for many new mothers: there is no need for tedious washing of diapers and baby clothes. But few people know that the period of decomposition of a used diaper is about 500 years. The same, incidentally, applies to women's sanitary pads. It would be more logical to use for kids and.

Plain chewing gum in warm climatic conditions disappears in 30 years, and in the cold it can persist for hundreds of years.

As you can see waste decomposition time It has wide range, and you need to know about this, and in some cases you can give things used for their intended purpose a “second life”, for example, to make or for flowers.

And in conclusion, we can recall the statement of the American comedian George Carlin. At one of his speeches, talking about the harm caused to nature by people, he said: “The planet is not going anywhere. We'll be gone."

Thinking about environmental issues, it should be understood that we are not saving the earth, but, first of all, ourselves.