Plastic facts: how long does it really take for things to break down?
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We all know that plastic lasts for a long time. A lightweight, cheap, easily manufacturable material, plastic is a super material when it comes to making things. While the longevity of plastic can be seen as a benefit when making products, what happens to that plastic when we no longer need it?
Recycling is something we should all do more, but when items can’t be, or aren’t recycled, how long do they really take to breakdown?
Everyday items such as a paper towel, a newspaper, or a cardboard box, can take from 2–4 weeks up to 2 months. These paper-based items degrade quickly; however our other household waste isn’t so easily disposed of.
Plastic shopping bags: 20 years
Usually only used for the short journey from the shop to the car, and then the car to your house, shopping bags only have a working life of a few minutes. This is horrifying when you know that these bags can take up to 20 years to break down!
Why not take the plastic bags you have at home and reuse them as much as pos...
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