The length of time it takes for different types of waste to decompose in landfills can vary greatly, depending on several factors such as the type of waste, the conditions in the landfill, and the size and shape of the landfill. Here are some estimates for how long it can take different types of waste to decompose in landfills:
Organic waste (such as food scraps and yard waste) – 2-4 weeks
Paper – 2-6 weeks
Cardboard – 2 months to 3 years
Cotton – 1-5 months
Wool – 1-5 years
Plastics – up to 500 years
Aluminum cans – 200-500 years
Glass bottles – 1 million years or more
It’s worth noting that even biodegradable materials like organic waste can take a long time to break down in landfills, as the lack of oxygen and moisture can slow the decomposition process. In addition, some types of waste, like plastics, may never fully decompose in landfills and can instead release harmful chemicals into the environment over time. That’s why it’s important to reduce our reliance on landfills and instead prioritize waste reduction, recycling, and composting.
The length of time it takes for different types of waste to decompose in landfills can vary greatly, depending on several factors such as the type of waste, the conditions in the landfill, and the size and shape of the landfill. Here are some estimates for how long it can take different types of waste to decompose in landfills:
It’s worth noting that even biodegradable materials like organic waste can take a long time to break down in landfills, as the lack of oxygen and moisture can slow the decomposition process. In addition, some types of waste, like plastics, may never fully decompose in landfills and can instead release harmful chemicals into the environment over time. That’s why it’s important to reduce our reliance on landfills and instead prioritize waste reduction, recycling, and composting.