How Long does it take to Decompose - Facts Analysis

Story:

A message circulating on various social networking platforms like Facebook and Twitter says that it takes years of time for the commonly used consumer wastes to decompose and that it effects the global green house effect badly.

How Long does it take to Decompose
Paper Towel – 2-4 weeks
Banana Peel – 3-4 weeks
Paper Bag – 1 month
Newspaper – 1.5 months
Apple Core – 2 months
Cardboard – 2 months
Cotton Glove – 3 months
Orange peels – 6 months
Plywood – 1-3 years
Wool Sock – 1-5 years
Milk Cartons – 5 years
Cigarette Butts – 10-12 years
Leather shoes – 25-40 years
Tinned Steel Can – 50 years
Foamed Plastic Cups – 50 years
Rubber-Boot Sole – 50-80 years
Plastic containers – 50-80 years
Aluminum Can – 200-500 years
Plastic Bottles – 450 years
Disposable Diapers – 550 years
Monofilament Fishing Line – 600 years
Plastic Bags – 200-1000 years

We request you, please share this piece of information in your network as much as you can.
This will create awareness amongst people that this is also one of the reasons related to Global Green House Effect.

Analysis:

Decomposition or Biodegradation is the chemical dissolution of materials through bacteria and other biological means. It takes significant period of time for a material to decompose completely, depending upon the type of material and the method of degradation.

A paper towel may decompose in 2-4 weeks, and a plastic bag takes several thousand years to degrade and decompose completely. You can find more about the decomposition process in reference section. The Wikipedia page lists the typical amount of time it takes for the decomposition of various materials.

The biodegradable products decompose easily with time and transform into natural elements without much effecting the environment. Whereas, the products that do not decompose easily take years of time to decompose completely, and during this process, they hamper and pollute the environment with toxic elements.

Therefore, it is our prime duty to keep a check on the usage of harmful materials like plastic, as they do not decompose easily and harm our environment.