Did you know that most littered trash has a life span of more than one year? This means that once a trash item ends up in the environment, it sits for a long time before it degrades or disappears. Here are some lifespans of the most commonly found litter items:
- Glass Bottle: Approximately one million years
- Plastic 6-Pack Cover: 450 years
- Aluminum Can: 200-500 years
- Plastic Bag: 10-20 years
- Cigarette Butt: One to five years
Viewer Tip: Trash can be easily carried away by wind or rain, and may end up miles from where it originates. Make sure trash items – plastic, styrofoam, cigarette butts, and others – make it into a proper receptacle. Recycle as much as you can, and secure trash at home with tight-fitting lids.
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
(Sources: Waste Management Bulletin. “Littered Items Decomposition Times”. Available at: http://www.keepcaliforniabeautiful.com/education.html)
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