How Long Will Litter Last?

Decomposition is the word scientists use to describe how materials break down in nature. Can you determine how long it takes for these littered items to decompose?

Match the litter on the left with the time it can last in nature. Use the boxes on the left to write your choices. Then use the drop-down menu to check your answers.

 

Paper Plastic-coated Paper Plastic Bags Plastic bottles Plastic Six-pack Holder Orange or Banana Peel Aluminum Cans Styrofoam Tin Cans Nylon Fabric Cotton Shirt Glass Bottles Wool Socks

a. 2-4 weeks b. 1-6 months c. 2 years d. 1-5 years e. 5 years f. 10-20 years g. 30-40 years h. 50 years i. 80-100 years j 100 years k. 1,000,000 years l. indefinitely m. indefinitely

Answers Paper . . . . . . . . . . . .A: 2 to 4 weeks Plastic coated paper . . . . E: 5 years Plastic bags . . . . . . . . F: 10 - 20 years Plastic bottles . . . . . . .L: indefinitely Plastic 6-pack holders . . . J: 100 years Orange/banana peels . . . . .C: up to 2 years Aluminum cans . . . . . . . .I: 80 - 100 years Styrofoam . . . . . . . . . .M: indefinitely Tin cans . . . . . . . . . . H: 50 years Nylon fabric . . . . . . . . G: 30 - 40 years Cotton shirt . . . . . . . . B: 1 to 6 months Glass bottles . . . . . . . .K: 1,000,000 years Wool socks . . . . . . . . . D: 1 to 5 years

 

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