How long does it take for waste to decompose?

The development of technology has contributed to the quick and cheap production of goods these days. People easily come into possession of factory-made objects and get rid of them just like that. Each of us makes seemingly trivial decisions daily, the effects of which the Earth will feel for years, decades or even centuries. Of course, it is impossible to give up the achievements of civilization overnight. The most crucial thing is to become aware of the problem and, wherever possible, reduce the production of waste.

What best depicts the scale of the problem?

Oceans full of drifting plastics or fast growing heaps of waste in landfills - these are the images that give us food for thought. Soon, however, we forget that all, quietly hoping that Mother Nature herself will cope with this problem. In fact, we don't always realise how long it really takes. Only when we juxtapose the images of our polluted planet with the information on how long it takes for various types of waste to break down, will we get a real picture reflecting the actual scale of the problem.

What does waste decomposition time depend on?

Several factors have an impact on the way nature copes with different types of waste. Decomposition time largely depends on both the specific characteristics of the material used in its production and the dimensions of the unwanted object. The climate also plays a significant role as far as waste storage is concerned. Decomposition will take place faster in places with higher temperatures and increased levels of humidity.

How long does it take for packages to decompose?

Before we grab another item from the market shelf, it is worth finding out how long it will need to decompose after it ends up in the bin. And what usually lands in the bin first is the packaging, which catches our eye in the store, only to become useless soon afterwards

- Paper bag (approx. 1 month)

Paper packaging is considered eco-friendly, therefore in some stores plastic bags give way to paper ones. As regards the decomposition time, not all cellulose products and paper bags are equal. First, let's focus on classic bags. Such packaging should break down approximately within a month. Also, the humid environment supports the clean environment, because this is where the fungi and bacteria responsible for the degradation of paper waste can thrive.

- Metal Tin (approx. 10 years)

When eating tinned beans or fish, we need to bear in mind that empty tins become useless for us and usually end up in a landfill. It is worth noting that such packaging will break down after about 10 years.

- Polystyrene cup (approx. 50 years)

Polystyrene cups are often used at petrol stations or fast food restaurants. This light drinking receptacle can break down for as long as half a century.

- Aluminum tin (80 - 200 years)

If this tin is made of corrosion-resistant aluminum, it can take up to 200 years for nature to break it down!

- Plastic bag (approx. 400 years)

The plastic bag has achieved the status of an icon symbolising the pollution of our planet. An inconspicuous bag that we get in almost every store serves its purpose for 25 minutes, on average, and will decompose for up to 400 years!

- Plastic bottle (approx. 450 years)

Cheap in production, plastic bottles have quickly taken over the world, which many of us can notice while, for instance, taking out rubbish. Due to their large size, such packages largely contribute to the amount of waste we generate. Unfortunately, the problem will not disappear so quickly as these popular PET bottles will need as many as 450 years to decompose.

- Glass bottle (4000 years - never)

Before the era of plastics came, glass had been widely used and today, again, it is back in our good graces. Glass bottles, however, are not items that Mother Nature can quickly get to grips with. Optimists claim that it will take 4,000 years for them to break down, others say it will be around 1000000 or never. Which is true? It is rather difficult for us to see it and find for ourselves.

What about everyday objects?

It is not only packaging that ends up in our landfills. We will certainly find everyday objects there, which for various reasons ceased to be useful. We should be aware of the lengthy decomposition process of things that we dispose of easily, without deep reflection.

-Newspapers (approx. 6 weeks)

Although in the era of the Internet we are increasingly unlikely to reach for paper press, there are still people out there who cannot imagine their morning coffee without a newspaper rustling in their hands. But the daily news has a tendency to become old yesterday’s news very quickly. It may take even 6 weeks for one newspaper to decompose.

- Bus ticket (approx. 3 months)

It's small, and it's made of paper - that's why many of us think it's going to break down in an instant. The use of a higher class raw material causes that tiny little ticket to be decomposed longer than a regular newspaper. This can take from 3 months to several years!

- Cotton T-shirt (2-5 months)

There comes a time in your life when you need to get rid of a worn out, down at heel T-shirt. Although our garments are relatively large, nature is capable of breaking down cotton fabrics quite efficiently.

- Cigarette butt (1-5 years)

A cigarette consists of several elements, but this is mainly about the amount of time nature needs to tackle with the decomposition of the filter. It must be admitted that 5 years is a surprisingly lengthy period of time.

- Chewing gum (approx. 5 years)

In this case, the time it takes nature to eliminate the problem can also be quite a surprise. Popular chewing gum is decomposed even after 5 years

- Rubber tyres (approx. 80 years)

Much more time is needed by nature to get to grips with rubber tyres. It is estimated that they will finally break down after 80 years.

- Battery (approx. 100 years)

I think we all use them, but do we remember that depleted batteries require special treatment? Small electrical cells contain a number of harmful elements. Some of them - for example - can contribute to water contamination. It is estimated that it will take as long as 100 years for such a small battery to break down..

- Drinking straw (approx. 200 years)

This inconspicuous piece of plastic constitutes a massive problem for Mother Earth. A drinking straw needs as many as 200 years to break down.

- Disposable nappy (approx. 450 years)

The emergence of disposable nappies on the market made life easier for many mothers. However, this is not too eco- friendly. It is estimated that such nappies will decompose for a minimum of 450 years.

How long does it take for organic waste to decompose?

Organic waste also ends up in the bin. It seems less problematic than other waste, although it must be admitted that nothing happens instantly. For example, an apple core decomposes in two months, whereas an orange peel needs half a year. A banana may also need half a year to break down. If we put leaves in the bin, the decomposition process may take about 8 months.

Give the waste a second life!

As you can see, waste will not disappear overnight, because nature needs a lot of time to clean after us. In order not to be drowned in waste, we need to make sure that our used items get a second life. A considerable part of our rubbish can be processed. Therefore, the first thing we should consider is the proper segregation of our domestic waste. It is time for us to get our act together!