glass break time. How long does it take for waste of natural and industrial origin to decompose. examples of types of materials and products that can pollute the environment until they are completely decomposed
Biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste
There is a common misconception that any garbage that has been buried will decompose, especially in bulk waste such as landfills. Surprising fact is that some types of waste, including plastics, remain intact without a single sign of decomposition, after many years.
Some types of waste are biodegradable, which means that microorganisms from the soil are able to actually work on them to turn them into decomposed material. Soil containing biodegradable waste is actually richer in nutrients, making this type of waste the best natural fertilizer. Other wastes are not at all biodegradable. This means that no matter how much rubbish is exposed to microorganisms, it does not decompose at all.
Let's find out how long it takes to decompose various kinds garbage:
While most of the examples below represent averages, it is important to note that environmental conditions are a major factor in the rate at which waste decomposes. Some conditions are catalysts for decomposition processes, while others can bring it to a complete halt.
Food waste
Depending on the type of food, food waste may take days, weeks or months to fully decompose. The presence of a special vessel is a factor that affects the rate of decomposition of food waste. Appropriate reservoirs can actually lead to accelerated decomposition.
paper waste
Under average conditions, it takes about 2-6 weeks for paper to decompose. However, recycling waste saves space in landfills.
Glass
Although it is one of the most simple products for recycling, the story is completely reversed when glass is thrown into a landfill, since the minimum time it can take to decompose is a million years. Some researchers say it doesn't decompose at all.
aluminum cans
aluminum cans, for example, for beer or cola require from 80 to 100 years for complete decomposition.
Diapers
Disposable diapers can take 250-500 years to decompose.
Plastic
We interact with it in almost every aspect of our lives, from plastic bags and ending with more complex plastic products, which are the most polluting waste worldwide. Plastic can take thousands of years to decompose. Not all plastic products have the same degradation time. For example, some materials may require much less time. At the same time, the researchers say that some types of plastic actually do not decompose at all.
Details Published: 29 January 2016To reduce garbage pollution, the best solution is to recycle as much waste as possible. Deployment of technologies and organization of advanced waste management will help save land covered by garbage dumps. Opting Out of Products Related to solid waste, is also a promising solution to the problem. All this requires collective responsibility, both locally and globally.
The decomposition of plastic has become one of the the most pressing problems modern times, as the very real danger of completely “drowning” in the mountains of plastic bottles and plastic bags looms over the planet.
AT pacific ocean not far from Indonesia, a whole continent of plastic bottles and other waste has already formed, exceeding in size the largest island - Greenland. And the production of plastic products and plastic containers is growing and growing - only over the past 10 years in Russia, the volume of its production has increased 10 times.
Classification of additives that accelerate the decomposition of plastic
- Oxo-additives speed up the crushing of bags into small pieces, which no longer harm animals so much. All toxic properties are preserved, and the complete decomposition of these small pieces is not accelerated.
- Additives that accelerate the breakdown of polymer molecular chains under the influence of sunlight, a certain air temperature, moisture and other activating factors. The term of decomposition of polyethylene with such additives is accelerated up to 5 years.
- Additives that cause the release of carbon and hydrogen molecules from plastic, which are already freely absorbed by bacteria and fungi.
- Finally, a biopolymer is a plastic made from plant waste, such as corn stalks. It is the most harmless and rapidly degradable polymer option available today.
How long do different types of plastic decompose without additives?
The decomposition of plastic takes different speed depending on its composition. Decompose the fastest plastic bags- about 100 years in the soil. Products made of polypropylene and other types of food and non-food plastics decompose much longer. The period of their complete decomposition in the soil is at least 500 years. For comparison, the period of decomposition of aluminum canisters is 500 years, cans - 100 years, bones - from 10 years. The decomposition time of plastic in water increases many times over and is not even known exactly. Plastic bags floating in water cause mass death fish and birds. But that is not all. During the decomposition of plastic into environment toxic substances are released that poison the soil and water (styrene, formaldehyde, phenol, chlorprene, urethane, etc.).
What other options are offered to solve the problem?
- Termination of food production plastic containers and plastic bags following the example of China and India.
- Further development of so-called biopolymers, i.e. plastics that decompose quickly in natural conditions without releasing toxic substances.
- Changing the composition of household polymers to reversible ones (those that can be remelted many times).
- Removal of a special type of bacteria that will process and neutralize plastic residues in special storage facilities. It is supposed to remove such bacteria by the method of genetic modification.
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.
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.
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 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.
Ecology
Every day we see abandoned bottles, food leftovers, plastic bags, paper and plastic cups, and other trash that was just left on the street.
Sometimes it seems to us that in another day it will be removed, and in the landfill it will begin to decompose.
But, firstly, not everywhere the garbage is removed in a timely manner, and secondly, some garbage can decompose for thousands of years.
How long does garbage take to decompose?
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.
Paper and food waste
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 can decompose in more than long term 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 is a 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 to the environment.
2 years
Orange peel, plywood, cigarette butts (although some studies indicate that cigarette butts can take over 10 years to decompose).
Up to 5 years
Heavy clothing made of wool, such as a coat or overcoat.
plastic trash
Up to 20 years old
Plastic bags. But studies show that in some cases, plastic bags can take up to 1,000 years to decompose.
Many new plastic bags are 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.
Metal debris, rubber, leather
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.
Decomposition of polyethylene
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.
It is worth noting that small details made of polyethylene can pose a danger to animals that can choke on them.
Aluminum decomposition
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 case such objects decompose for 200 years, but this process can drag on for 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.
Recycling aluminum cans
Plastic decomposition
500 years
Plastic bottles.
In general, petrochemical products such as plastic bottles never completely decompose, and chemical elements just stay in the ground.
Waste recycling
Most plastic bottles are made from polyethylene terephthalate, which is almost impossible to break down in any amount of time. This means that people have to recycle them, and some countries are actively doing this, creating synthetic fibers that are used to make clothes, carpets and other things.
Clothes made from plastic bottles
glass decomposition
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.
Long-term waste decomposition
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.
Battery recycling in Russia
No wonder it is customary in the world to sort garbage waste, which are thrown out by residents, 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 decomposition time different kinds 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 municipal services did not clean up natural garbage in parks, then soon people would walk 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 changing tires at a service station, most of 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 very dangerous and toxic, not to mention that it's not exactly cute to look at the sides of the roads strewn with empty plastic bottles from coca-cola.
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?