Most people don’t think about waste once they dispose of it. But, while the product that they throw in the garbage or the recycling can may not “live” with that person anymore, it still has a much longer life after that.
That’s because all waste, no matter how it’s disposed of, will decompose over time. This is done through a process known as decomposition, in which complex organic substances will break down into simpler substances by microorganisms.
Decomposition is a natural process that happens in the environment, and it applies to everything — whether it be a pizza box you threw in the trash or a dead tree that has fallen over in the woods.
In fact, decomposition is an important part of the nutrient cycle, as it releases nutrients from objects such as trees back into the soil. At the same time, depending on the material in question, decomposition can also cause harm.
That’s why it plays such a key role in environmental conservation and sustainability. Below, we’ll discuss decomposition in more depth, including how long certain common materials take to decompose — and why recycling is so important.
Measuring Decomposition Time
While all materials will decompose, there are different factors at play that determine how long it will take each type of material to go through the process. Organic materials typically take less time to decompose, while man-made items usually take longer.
This is why you may have heard that certain materials may take hundreds of years to fully break down. This information isn’t just made up, though; it’s based on real data generated by scientific studies.
We can measure the decomposition time of individual materials by using what are known as respirometry tests. This involves placing a sample of the material into a container that also includes soil and microorganisms, and then measuring the amount of carbon dioxide that’s produced through the process.
Scientists then come up with estimates to determine the biodegradability of individual materials. These estimates are based on the known quantities available to them — such as the carbon dioxide that’s produced — and then extrapolated out to account for things such as environmental factors and time.
This process helps us understand what the environmental impact of different materials is, which helps emphasize the importance of proper disposal and also of shifting to alternative materials whenever possible.
Decomposition Time for Common Materials
It can take anywhere from a few days to thousands of years for materials to decompose. The longer that a material takes to decompose, the more harmful it can be to the environment and wildlife in it.
For instance, since plastics take a very long time to decompose, they often end up in waterways and oceans. This provides significant hazards to marine species and also to humans as we eat fish that ingest microplastics.
Below is a breakdown of how long it takes some common materials to decompose.
Recyclable Materials
Paper is one of the most common materials that is recycled. If paper is thrown into the trash, it can take anywhere from two to five months to decompose fully. That being said, paper can also be recycled up to six or seven times, making it an extremely useful and sustainable material.
Glass is another very common material that can be recycled. Shockingly, it can take around 1 million years for glass to decompose in a landfill. But, the amazing part about glass is that it can be recycled infinitely, which is why it’s a preferred material to be used over plastic.
Another material with an astounding decomposition time difference is aluminum. When it’s disposed of in landfills, this material can take about 250 years to decompose. When it’s recycled, it can be reused for another purpose in about six weeks.
All of this really speaks to how important it is to use these materials over other alternatives as much as possible, and to recycle them whenever possible.
Plastic Materials
Plastic is one of the most harmful materials to the environment. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the most commonly-used and abundant materials in life today.
While governments, businesses and households are working to phase out a lot of these products, many are still around.
Plastic bags can take around 1,000 years to decompose in a landfill. If they make their way into a marine environment, which happens quite often, it can actually take even longer.
Plastic bottles take about 450 years to fully decompose in landfills, while plastic coated paper milk cartons can take around five years to go through the process. Not only that, but when these materials do decompose, they can release very harmful microplastics into the environment, contributing to the massive problem of microplastic pollution.
Luckily, there are ways that we can help to mitigate these issues. First, it’s a good idea to reduce the usage of plastic materials whenever possible. And when you have to use plastics, make sure that you recycle them when you’re finished with them rather than disposing of them in the regular garbage.
Factors Affecting Decomposition Time
The decomposition times listed above are simply a general guide for different materials. How long materials truly take to break down will depend on a number of factors, including environmental conditions.
Things such as sunlight, moisture, exposure to the elements and temperature all can affect the time it takes for a material to decompose. That’s because — just like humans — microorganisms require oxygen, water and light to operate. If they lack any of these things, the decomposition process will take longer.
Temperature also plays a big role in the rate of biodegradation. It can either speed up the process or slow it down.
That’s why it’s very important to understand the factors that are at play in decomposition, as it can help us to manage waste much more efficiently based on the pertinent environmental conditions.
Reducing Waste and Increasing Recycling
To create a more sustainable future, it’s vital to increase the rates of recycling and composting. Both of these strategies can reduce how much waste gets sent to landfills, which ultimately minimizes the environmental impact of the products we use.
By implementing these sustainable practices into our daily life, we can create an economy that’s much more circular than we have now.
It’s not just about better management of waste, though. It’s also about reducing how much waste we generate and opting for more biodegradable materials whenever possible.
Simple decisions such as choosing cotton t-shirts, reusable water bottles and reusable bags can promote sustainability, protecting the environment and public health in the process.
Understanding Decomposition Time is Important to Our Future
To manage waste effectively, and reduce our environmental impact, we must understand the decomposition process and how long it takes for common materials to break down.
When we see how long the decomposition time is for common materials, we can make more informed decisions regarding what products we use, how we recycle and waste management as a whole.
When we reduce the amount of waste we generate and increase our recycling rates, we can help mitigate the potentially disastrous impacts of decomposition on the environment. By adopting these more sustainable practices, we can create a future that’s much more environmentally-friendly.
