It's not for nothing that different countries Around the world, it is customary to sort garbage that residents throw away, and in some of them you can get a fine for improper sorting. Why were such laws passed? developed countries peace? The reason is simple: many types of waste do not decompose for very long, or during decomposition they cause irreparable harm environment, which is why they are destroyed or processed in a special way. We present to you the decomposition times different types 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, however, it causes a lot of trouble for residents.

2. Food waste - decomposition period 30 days

Potato peelings, meat trimmings and everything that remains edible after cooking can be classified as this type of garbage. Also not that dangerous.

3. Newsprint - decomposition period 1-4 months

Before you throw the newspaper on the road, think that for another 4 whole months the residents of your yard will admire the paper trampled into the dirt.

4. Leaves, seeds, twigs - decomposition period is 3-4 months

If public utilities did not remove natural debris from parks, people would soon be walking through mountains of branches and leaves.

5. Cardboard boxes - decomposition period 3 months

It is completely harmless waste if you throw it in trash cans.

6. Office paper - decomposition period 2 years

Yes, just imagine. It's all about composition and density: paper is made precisely so that documents printed on it can be stored for a long time, which, unfortunately, does not ignore the period of its decomposition.

7. Boards - decomposition period 10 years

Ordinary boards that are used on construction sites. Of course, if they are not subject to any processing (for example, impregnation with fuel oil).

8. Iron cans - decomposition period 10 years

Like boards, cans of stewed meat or condensed milk will rot in the ground for another 10 years after you throw them under a tree in the forest.

9. Old shoes - decomposition period is 10 years

Everything here, of course, depends on the composition of the shoe and the degree of its wear, but on average, shoes made of leatherette will decompose within a tenth of a century.

10. Fragments of brick and concrete - decomposition period is 100 years

This is exactly the garbage that every development company prefers to bury under the playground in the courtyard of the house. Yes, they do this quite often. Perhaps this is justified: after all, the “Stalin” ones have already been standing for 80 years =)

11. Car batteries - decomposition period is 100 years

This kind of waste is, of course, more profitable to recycle. After all, for 1 used battery (20-25 kg) you can earn about 500 rubles.

12. Foil - decomposition period more than 100 years

Yes, despite the fact that the thickness of the iron leaf is less than 0.5 mm, it is very strongly compressed. So don't throw away your meat packaging while camping.

13. Electric batteries - decomposition period 110 years

Here, not only the decomposition period plays a role, but also the harm to the environment that a lithium battery causes when it oxidizes. Many charitable organizations, fighting for the cleanliness of the planet, offer to save batteries so that they can later come and take them from you.

14. Rubber tires - decomposition period 120-140 years

Rubber is one of the most resistant materials. Fortunately, when changing tires at a service station, most drivers leave their old ones as a gift, or for a symbolic price there. And smart service holders then hand it over for recycling.

15. Plastic bottles - decomposition period is 180-200 years

Plastic is also highly dangerous and toxic, not to mention that it is not very pleasant to look at the side of the roads strewn with empty plastic bottles from .

16. Aluminum cans - decomposition period 500 years

Almost the most dangerous garbage. It takes a long time to decompose, releases harmful substances during oxidation, and predominates on our planet.

17. Glass - decomposition period is more than 1000 years

No one knows how much of it is already packed in our holiday destinations. Just think: a millennium! At least another 12-15 generations will enjoy our fragments.

Why biodegradable bags do not dissolve in nature, but paper does not a worthy alternative plastic and how to choose the least of the “packaging” evils.

The responsible consumer is constantly looking for alternatives that are least harmful to the environment, especially when it comes to disposable products. Let's figure out whether the biodegradable bags that we are offered in the store are such.

Photos from open sources

What is biodegradation?

Biodegradation is the process of breaking down organic materials into environmentally friendly substances through bacteria or other biological processes. Organic material can break down aerobically (with oxygen) or anaerobically (without oxygen). On at the moment There is no clear definition of the term "biodegradable" when applied to a product as a whole, as there are testing standards only for individual components.

What plastics biodegrade?

Biodegradable plastics – This is not a specific type of plastic, but a large family of different 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). A number of plastics biodegrade natural conditions(e.g. starch-based plastics). Other plastics, such as polylactide, require elevated temperature and humidity. Prerequisites achieved through 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 ones. Oxo-degradable plastics are polyethylene with the addition of transition metal salts: cobalt, nickel, iron. The decomposition of such plastics in 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 manufacturers claim that these fragments are broken down by microorganisms. At the same time, an independent study conducted in accordance with international standards, showed that within 350 days, only 15 percent of oxo-degradable polyethylene decomposes into carbon dioxide in the soil.

This means that a plastic bag that should have disappeared naturally has become large number small plastic pieces and granules, which can exacerbate the problem of environmental pollution. It turns out that plastic actually decomposes, but it is unsafe for nature. In Belarusian stores, we are almost always offered exactly these oxo-degradable bags, which can hardly be called truly degradable.

How to find bioplastic?

Biodegradable plastics can often be identified by special labeling.

On the bag you can find the inscription “Compostable” / “Compostable”. This means that such plastic decomposes under special composting conditions (industrial or home).

The label “Biodegradable” means that the bag can biodegrade in nature, but it is not always known whether it is safe to degrade. At the moment, this label may also hide oxoplastic, which turns into microplastic.

Biodegradable plastics may be labeled with the number 7 in a triangle. The nuance is that the number 7 can indicate all new and little-studied plastics. That is, if you see 7 in a triangle, you may have either biodegradable plastic or some other plastic, including non-recyclable plastic. In order to obtain more detailed information about the type of plastic, you should carefully study the packaging.

Why is bioplastic not eco-friendly?

The raw materials for the production of biodegradable plastics are usually plant crops that we use as food (corn, wheat, sugar cane). That is, plastic production competes for raw materials with food production. As arable land shrinks and water resources this question may become decisive when making decisions about the further production of biodegradable plastics.

Photos from open sources

When purchasing products made from “dissolvable” plastics, it is important to understand what their further fate in our conditions.

Thus, biodegradable plastic only decomposes under certain conditions, which, as a rule, do not exist in our landfills. To properly dispose of biodegradable bags, they must be composted. Since there are no enterprises in Belarus that engage in industrial composting, this can only be organized at your own site. “Pseudo-degradable” oxoplastics naturally break down into smaller pieces of plastic, which leads to additional problems. Oxoplastics are also not recyclable, as they contain additives that reduce the mechanical strength of polyethylene. Therefore, the only way to dispose of such plastics is to throw them away along 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 still do not decompose in landfills.

Why is paper packaging not the solution?

Paper bags are also a poor alternative to disposable packaging. Paper production uses virgin wood and, although it is a renewable resource, it is irrational to waste it on bags. Such production also requires large amounts of electricity and water. And most importantly: paper production produces large amounts of toxic wastewater.

Photo Recyclemag.ru

In addition, as practice shows, a paper bag can only be used once - it is fragile.

Perhaps the only advantage is that the paper is recycled and can rot in natural conditions without harm. However, here too it is important to remember that paper bags with inserts of other materials (for example, with plastic elements, metal eyelets, decorative elements), laminated, corrugated do not have this advantage.

Many consumers are actively seeking out bags made from biodegradable materials in an effort to reduce their environmental impact. However, retail stores often sell oxo-degradable bags under the guise of being biodegradable. Over time, such bags crumble into dust, the further fate of which is unknown, however, just as it is unknown how dangerous this plastic dust is for humans and the environment. The only truly eco-friendly alternative is a reusable cloth bag: it will last you a long time, and after ending up in a landfill, it will not cause as much harm to the environment as a plastic bag. If you are in a desperate situation and have to buy a plastic bag, try to use it for as long as possible.

About the author

Maria Suma, employee of the environmentally friendly lifestyle program of the Center for Environmental Solutions

Ecologist. Engaged in the development of the Green Map project (Greenmap.by). Promotes the “zero waste” concept in Belarus: advocates for the prevention of waste generation and the use of harmless waste management practices.

Dear Mother Earth and lamenting this, it is worth mentioning one of the main reasons for the hidden danger - long-term, in most cases accompanied by the release of toxic substances. Let's jump ahead a little and see what awaits our descendants who decide to explore the soil profiles of urban horizons.

You and I remember that in nature, therefore, garbage remains natural origin(plant or animal) we will not detect, because they decompose the fastest.

So, animal droppings(valuable, by the way) decomposes in a maximum of 10 days.

But fallen leaves, small twigs, will gradually rot, turning into a humus mass within a month or a whole season.

Large branches They 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.

On average, ubiquitous microorganisms are processed within a few weeks.

But remains of bones They can last 5 or 6 years, but, in general, no more than 8.

Cloth from decomposes in 2-3 years, without causing damage to the environment, which cannot be said about synthetic materials, the decomposition period of which is up to 40 years.

But woolen products much more since it only takes a year to “digest” them.

Decomposition time paper vary. Thus, 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 along with food products, since dioxides may form as a result.

Wooden products decompose within 10 years. However, the degree of wood processing plays a significant role in this process. So, if regular boards will decompose in 4 years, then covered with a layer of paint- already over 13.

Bank is one of the most popular. Do you know how long it takes for these containers, often disposable, to decompose? Iron cans it takes up to 10 years, 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 made from this material depends on the initial density and structure. For example, ordinary thin plastic bags , which sellers love to wrap everything in, take 100-200 years to decompose. They are accompanied by “partners” - and containers.

A small filter carelessly thrown away cigarette butt b will slowly lose its position, decomposing for more than 3 years.

Ordinary ones who recommend housewives to change them 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 became our article! Did you know that decomposition time various materials in natural conditions:

Cotton - 1-5 months.
Paper - 2-5 months.
Plastic bag – about 400 years
Plastic containers, packaging - does not decompose

*about 400 years— decomposition time of one plastic bag in nature
*20 minutes- this is the average time to use one plastic bag
*60% plastic bags do not decompose and do not burn
*60 % waste polluting the seabed - plastic bags

A plastic bag and the people of planet Earth!

* Approximately 6 million 300 thousand tons of garbage, most of which is plastic, are 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, every year plastic waste causes the death of 1 million birds, 100 thousand marine mammals and an innumerable number of fish.
* Less than 1% of plastic is ever recycled for reuse.
* The final decomposition period of polyethylene is about 500 years. And when burned, they release harmful substances that are dangerous to nature and human health.

And most importantly:
Almost every piece of plastic EVER produced still exists.

The temporary life of plastic packaging is extremely short; it is sent to garbage dumps. It is almost impossible to get rid of used plastic. Until recently, there were only two ways to solve the problem: burial and incineration. plastic waste. But plastic does not decompose in the soil, and when it is burned, it releases substances that are extremely toxic to humans. Penetrating into the soil, the “poison” enters groundwater, and then into the water supply.

Now let's think! For example, we visit the store 1-3 times a week. Every time we pack our purchases in free plastic bags (or even buy them). Let's do the math. It turns out that throughout the year we bring home about 160 bags, and if we also take into account those bags in which fruits, vegetables, meat (double bag), fish (double bag), pickled vegetables (double bag) are packed. It’s hard to even calculate how much cellophane and plastic each of us can use!

Let's take the average inhabitant of planet Earth at the present time. So, the average resident:

1. visits stores 1-6 times a week.
2. 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 several simple steps:

1. Use reusable bags made from natural materials to visit stores and supermarkets, buy groceries and other goods! Canvas, fabric, baskets, string bags! It is both beautiful and most importantly, very convenient. You can go shopping with them an infinite number of times! 🙂

And also, using an ecological bag, you avoid using 6 plastic bags per week and 300 per year!

2. Stop using the plastic bags that come free with your grocery purchases. If we start to refuse cellophane in stores, the demand for them will fall. This means that in the near future, where demand falls, supply will also fall. And if people stop consuming, production will stop!

Example. One inhabitant of the Earth, giving up plastic for a year, does not use 50 liters of oil, which means the number of oil developments is reduced, and the risk of polluting our nature with oil spills is reduced!

3. If you use plastic, find a way to recycle it. As we found out, other people won’t be able to do this for you anyway. It turns out that by throwing away plastic, you take responsibility for this non-recyclable garbage onto yourself.

How can you recycle plastic?

Keep using it. Go with the same ones 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 people knit bags, baskets, bath mats, slippers and flip-flops from cellophane. You can make completely different crafts from plastic bottles - feeders, flowers, butterflies, etc. You can read about this in our next articles. 🙂

If you already have similar experience in recycling or recycling plastic, write to us about it! And also write in the comments how we can solve the issue of plastic packaging in our daily lives?

The ecology of life is in our hands. Thank you for your attention. Have a good day.

If you at least sometimes pay attention to environmental problems, then you probably know the damage plastic causes to our planet. This collection contains 20 facts about plastic that will make you think even more about whether it is worth using it en masse

1. It takes about 450 years before plastic begins to decompose. After this, another 50-80 years will pass until it completely decomposes. At the current rate of production of this material, our planet will be completely covered in plastic before its decomposition begins.

2. Taking into account the decomposition period, we can say that not a single piece of plastic produced will even begin to decompose in the next 4 centuries

3. The average American consumed 1.6 gallons of bottled water in 1976. Already in 2006, this figure increased 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 water itself costs about 10%

6. One resident of any highly developed country buys an average of 150 bottles of water per year, without paying attention to the alternative

7. 24 million gallons of oil are needed to produce a billion plastic bottles

8. Just 25 recycled bottles are enough to produce a jacket for an adult.

9. Europeans are also not interested in recycling plastic. Currently, only 2.5 percent of Europe's total mass

10. One of the main polluters of the ocean is the fishing industry. throwing out huge amounts of plastic waste. About 150 tons end up in the water annually, including packaging, fishing nets, and other debris

11. This garbage causes the death of many sea ​​creatures who mistake garbage for food. The number of animals dying is in the millions. The dumping of garbage also leads to the formation of the Great Pacific Garbage Island, where currents carry all the discarded plastic

12. Over 13 billion plastic bottles are produced worldwide every year

13. A good sign is that over the past few years, plastic recycling in the United States has at least tripled; more than 1,600 enterprises are 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 plastics can save up to 2/3 of the energy needed to make plastics 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 some other purpose.

19. Storing and shipping water in plastic bottles is the least energy-efficient method, but nevertheless the most popular

20. Some countries have completely banned the use of plastic bottles. Among them are Australia, China, Austria, Bangladesh, Ireland and several other countries