Which waste takes the longest to decompose? Decomposition times for different types of waste
Why biodegradable bags do not dissolve in nature, and paper is not a worthy alternative to plastic, and how to choose the least of the “packaging” evils.
The responsible consumer is constantly on the lookout for the least environmentally damaging alternatives, especially for disposable products. Let's see if the biodegradable bags that we are offered in the store are.
Photos from open sources
What is biodegradation?
Biodegradation is the process of breaking down organic materials into environmentally friendly substances by bacteria or other biological processes. Organic material can be broken down aerobically (with oxygen) or anaerobically (without oxygen). On the this moment there is no clear definition of the term "biodegradable" when it is applied to the product as a whole, since there are testing standards only for individual components.
What plastics decompose?
Biodegradable plastics – it's not a particular type of plastic, but big family various polymers. These polymers are made from plant materials and decompose into carbon dioxide and water. The raw materials for this plastic are corn, wheat, sugar cane and other plants. Biodegradable plastics also include polymers chemically synthesized from plant derived monomers, such as polylactide (PLA). Some plastics decompose into natural conditions(e.g. starch-based plastics). Other plastics, such as polylactide, require elevated temperature and humidity. The necessary conditions are achieved during industrial composting; under natural conditions, such plastic can also decompose in a compost heap.
Photos from open sources
Biodegradable plastics include the so-called oxo-degradable. Oxo-degradable plastics are polyethylene with the addition of transition metal salts: cobalt, nickel, iron. The decomposition of such plastics under natural conditions occurs in two stages. At the first stage, under the influence of light and oxygen, the plastic product decomposes into small fragments of polyethylene and metal salts. The further fate of this plastic cannot be traced, although the manufacturers claim that these fragments are broken down by microorganisms. At the same time, an independent study carried out in accordance with international standards, showed that in 350 days only 15 percent of oxo-degradable polyethylene decomposes in the soil to carbon dioxide.
This means that the plastic bag, which should have disappeared naturally, has become a large number of small plastic pieces and granules, which can exacerbate the problem of environmental pollution. It turns out that plastic does decompose, but it is unsafe for nature. In Belarusian stores, almost always we are offered precisely such oxo-degradable bags, which can hardly be called real degradable.
How to find bioplastic?
Biodegradable plastics can often be recognized by special labeling.
On the package you can find the inscription "Compostable" / "Compostable". This means that such plastic decomposes into special conditions composting (industrial or domestic).
The inscription "Biodegradable" / "Biodegradable" means that this package can decompose in nature, but it is not always known for sure whether it is safe to disappear. At the moment, under this marking, oxoplast can also be hidden, which turns into microplastic.
Biodegradable plastics can be marked with the number 7 in a triangle. The nuance is that the number 7 can denote all new and little studied plastics. That is, if you see 7 in a triangle, you can have both biodegradable plastic in front of you, and some other, including non-recyclable plastic at all. In order to get more detailed information about the type of plastic, you should carefully study the packaging.
Why is bioplastic not environmentally friendly?
The raw materials for the production of biodegradable plastics are, as a rule, plant crops that we use as food (corn, wheat, sugarcane). That is, plastic production competes for raw materials with food production. As arable land shrinks and water resources this issue can become decisive in making decisions on the further production of biodegradable plastics.
Photos from open sources
When buying goods from "dissolved" plastics, it is important to understand what will be their further fate in our conditions.
So, biodegradable plastic decomposes only under certain conditions, which, as a rule, are not found in our landfills. Biodegradable bags must be composted for proper disposal. Since there are no enterprises in Belarus that are engaged in industrial composting, this can only be organized at your site. “Pseudo-degradable” oxoplastics naturally break down into smaller pieces of plastic, which introduces additional problems. Oxoplastics are also not recyclable, as they contain additives that reduce the mechanical strength of polyethylene. That's why the only way disposal of such plastics - throw them together with other non-recyclable waste in a landfill.
Another important disadvantage of biodegradable bags is that their production requires a lot of energy and water, the use of valuable organic crops, which leads to higher production costs. However, they do not decompose in landfills.
Why paper packaging is not an option?
Paper bags are also a poor alternative to disposable packaging. Paper production uses primary wood and, although it is a renewable resource, it is not rational to waste it on bags. Such production also requires large expenditures of electricity and water. And most importantly, as a result of paper production, a large amount of toxic wastewater is generated.
Photo by Recyclemag.ru
In addition, as practice shows, a paper bag can only be used once - it is fragile.
Perhaps the only advantage is that paper is recycled and can rot in natural conditions without harm. However, here it is important to remember that paper bags with inserts of other materials (for example, with plastic elements, metal eyelets, decorative elements), laminated, corrugated and do not have this advantage.
Many consumers, in an effort to reduce their environmental impact, are purposefully looking for bags made from biodegradable materials. However Retail Stores Under the guise of biodegradable, oxo-degradable bags are often sold. Over time, such packages crumble into dust, the further fate of which is unknown, however, it is also unknown how dangerous this plastic dust is for humans and the environment. The only really eco-friendly alternative can only be a reusable rag bag: it will serve you for a long time, and after getting into a landfill will not cause environment such harm as a plastic bag. If you're in a desperate situation and have to buy a plastic bag, try using it for as long as possible.
about the author
Maria Suma, Eco-Friendly Lifestyle Program Officer at the Center for Environmental Solutions
Ecologist. Engaged in the development of the Green Map project (Greenmap.by). Promotes the concept of "zero waste" in Belarus: advocates for the prevention of waste generation and the use of harmless waste management practices.
If you at least sometimes pay attention to environmental problems, then you probably know what damage plastic does to our planet. This collection contains 20 facts about plastic that will make you think even more about whether it is worth massing it.
1. It takes about 450 years for plastic to start decomposing. After that, it will take another 50-80 years until it completely decomposes. At the current rate of production of this material, our planet will be completely covered in plastic before it begins to decompose. 
2. Taking into account the period of decomposition, it can be said that not a single piece of plastic produced in the next 4 centuries will even begin to decompose 
3. The average American consumed 1.6 gallons of bottled water in 1976. Already in 2006 this figure rose to 28.3 gallons and continues to grow rapidly. 
4. 40% of total plastic waste is plastic bottles 
5. One more interesting fact is that 90% of the price you pay for water is the cost of plastic, while the water itself costs about 10% 
6. One resident of any of the highly developed countries buys an average of 150 bottles of water per year, while not paying attention to the alternative 
7. 24 million gallons of oil are needed to produce a billion plastic bottles
8. Only 25 recycled bottles are enough to make a jacket for an adult. 
9. Europeans are also not interested in plastic recycling. Currently, only 2.5 percent of the total mass is recycled in Europe. 
10. One of the main polluters of the ocean is the fishing industry. throwing out a huge amount plastic waste. Approximately 150 tons enter the water every year, including packaging, fishing nets, and other debris. 
11. This garbage causes the death of many marine life who mistake garbage for food. The number of animals dying is in the millions. The ejection of debris also leads to the formation of the Great Pacific Garbage Island, where currents bring all of the ejected plastic.
12. Over 13 billion plastic bottles are produced in the world every year. 
13. good sign is that over the past few years, plastic recycling in the United States has at least tripled, with more than 1,600 enterprises already involved in recycling 
14. However, the percentage of recycled plastic in the US is only 27%, which is still the highest in the world. 
15. Recycling just one plastic bottle can generate enough energy to power a 60V light bulb for 6 hours. 
16. Recycling plastic can save up to 2/3 of the energy needed to make plastic from raw materials. 
17. 4 out of 5 bottles in the US are made of plastic. In other countries of the world, this figure is much higher. 
18. Research shows that about 90% of consumers reuse plastic bags, as garbage bags or for any other purpose 
19. Storing and shipping water in plastic bottles is the least energy efficient method, but still the most popular. 
20. Some countries completely ban the use of plastic bottles. Among them are Australia, China, Austria, Bangladesh, Ireland and several other countries. 
It is not for nothing that it is customary in the world to sort the garbage that residents throw away, and in some of them you can get a fine for incorrect sorting. Why are such laws passed in developed countries peace? The reason is elementary: many types of waste decompose for a very long time, or when decomposed, they cause irreparable harm to the environment around them, which is why they are destroyed or recycled in a special way. We present you the terms of decomposition of different types of household waste.
1. Animal droppings - decomposition period 10-15 days
The least harmful garbage that can be seen on the streets of small towns and villages, but it causes a lot of trouble for residents.
2. Food waste - decomposition period 30 days
Potato peelings, meat trimmings, and anything that remains edible after cooking can be classified as this type of garbage. Not so dangerous yet.
3. Newsprint - decomposition period 1-4 months
Before you throw the newspaper on the road, think that for another 4 months the inhabitants of your yard will enjoy the paper trampled into the mud.
4. Leaves, seeds, twigs - decomposition period 3-4 months
If the parks were not cleaned natural waste utilities, then soon people would be walking on mountains of branches and leaves.
5. Cardboard boxes - decomposition period 3 months
Completely harmless waste if thrown into the trash.
6. Office paper - decomposition period 2 years
Yes, just imagine. It's all about the composition and density: the paper is made specifically so that the documents printed on it can be stored for a long time, which, unfortunately, does not disregard the period of its decomposition.
7. Boards - decomposition period 10 years
Ordinary boards that are used at construction sites. Naturally, if they are not subject to any processing (for example, impregnation with fuel oil).
8. Steel cans - decomposition period 10 years
Like boards, tin cans of stew or condensed milk will rot in the ground for another 10 years after you throw them under a tree in the forest.
9. Shoes - 10 years decomposition period
Here everything naturally depends on the composition of the shoes and the degree of wear, however, on average, leatherette shoes will decompose for a tenth of a century.
10. Fragments of brick and concrete - decomposition period 100 years
Specifically, the garbage that every developer company likes to bury under the playground in the courtyard of the house. In fact, they do it quite often. Perhaps this is justified: since the "Stalins" have already been standing for 80 years.
11. Car batteries - 100 years decomposition period
Such garbage, which is more profitable, of course, to be recycled. After all, for 1 used battery (20-25 kg) you can get about 500 rubles.
12. Foil - more than 100 years of decomposition
True, despite the fact that the thickness of the iron sheet is less than 0.5 mm, it is very strongly compressed. So don't throw away your packaging. meat products on hikes.
13. Electric batteries - decomposition period 110 years
Here, not only the period of decomposition plays a role, but also the harm to the environment that causes lithium battery, oxidizing. Quite a few charities, fighting for the purity of the planet, offer to save batteries so that they later drive up and take them from you.
14. Rubber tires - decomposition period 120-140 years
Rubber is one of the most durable materials. Fortunately, when replacing tires at a service station, most drivers leave their old one as a gift, or for a symbolic cost in the same place. And smart service holders hand it over later for processing.
15. Plastic bottles - decomposition period 180-200 years
Plastic is also highly dangerous and toxic, not to mention that it's not exactly nice to see roadsides littered with empty plastic Coke bottles.
16. Aluminum cans - 500 years of decomposition
Almost the most dangerous garbage. It decomposes for a long time, emits harmful substances during oxidation, and prevails on our planet.
17. Glass - the decomposition period is more than 1000 years
No one knows how much it is already stuffed in our places of rest. Just think about it: a millennium! At least another 12-15 generations will enjoy our fragments.
Friends, can we start to protect nature?
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.
But 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.
But remains of bones can lie for 5 or 6 years, but, in general, no more than 8.
clothing 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.
But 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 products, since as a result, dioxides can be formed.
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.
Dear readers, today main theme our article has become ! Do you know that decay time various materials in vivo:
Cotton - 1-5 months.
Paper - 2-5 months.
Plastic bag - about 400 years old
Plastic containers, packaging - does not decompose
* about 400 years old- the time of decomposition of one plastic bag in nature
*20 minutes is the average use time of one plastic bag
*60%
plastic bags do not decompose and are not incinerated
*60 %
waste polluting sea bottom- plastic bags
Plastic bag and people of the planet Earth!
* Approximately 6 million 300 thousand tons of garbage, most of which plastic is dumped into the world's oceans every year. The ecology of the planet is greatly disturbed due to plastic waste.
* According to the UN Committee for Nature Conservation, annually plastic waste causes the death of 1 million birds, 100 thousand marine mammals and countless fish.
* Less than 1% of plastic has ever been recycled.
* The term for the final decomposition of polyethylene is about 500 years. And when burned, they emit harmful substances that are dangerous to nature and human health.
And the most important thing:
Nearly every piece of plastic EVER made is still in existence today.
The temporary life of PE packaging is extremely short, it is very quickly sent to garbage dumps. Getting rid of used plastic is almost impossible. Until recently, there were only two ways to solve the problem: burying and burning plastic waste. But plastic does not decompose in the soil, and when it is burned, substances that are extremely toxic to humans are released. Penetrating into the soil, the "poison" enters the groundwater, and then into the water supply.
Now let's think! For example, we visit the store 1-3 times a week. Each time we pack purchases in free plastic bags (or even buy them). Let's calculate. It turns out that during the year we bring home about 160 packages, and if we take into account those packages in which fruits, vegetables, meat (double package), fish (double package), pickled vegetables (double package) are packed. It's hard to even calculate how much each of us can use cellophane and plastic!
Let's take the average inhabitant of the planet Earth at the present time. So, the average resident:
- visits shops 1-6 times a week.
- brings home from 160-300 packages throughout the year!!!
How to minimize the use of plastic packaging in our lives?
What can each of us, the inhabitants of our beautiful planet Earth, do to make our conscious contribution to solving this problem?
There are a few easy steps:
1. Use reusable bags made of natural materials for visiting shops and supermarkets, shopping for groceries and other goods! Canvas, fabric, baskets, string bags! It's beautiful, and most importantly, very comfortable. You can go shopping with them an infinite number of times! 🙂
And also, using an ecological bag, you do not use from 6 plastic bags per week and from 300 per year!
2. Stop using plastic bags that are included free with purchases in stores. If we start to refuse cellophane in stores, the demand for them will fall. So, in the near future, where demand falls, supply will also fall. And if people stop consuming, it will stop and be produced!
Example. One inhabitant of the Earth, refusing plastic during the year, does not use 50 liters of oil, which means that the number of oil developments is reduced, the risk of pollution of our nature by oil spills is reduced!
3. If you use plastic, find a way to recycle it. As we found out, other people will not be able to do it for you anyway. It turns out that by throwing away plastic, you take responsibility for this non-recyclable garbage on yourself.
How can plastic be recycled?
Keep using it. go with the same plastic bags shopping, then wash and reuse.
Read materials on the Internet about how people came up with a lot of creative crafts from cellophane, polyethylene and plastic bottles. For example, many knit bags, baskets, bath mats, slippers and slippers from cellophane. From plastic bottles, you can make completely different crafts - feeders, flowers, butterflies, and more. You can read about it in our next articles. 🙂
If you already have a similar experience with recycling or recycling plastic, write to us about it! And also write in the comments how to solve the issue of plastic packaging in our daily life?
The ecology of life is in our hands. Thank you for your attention. Have a good day.