HOW MANY YEARS DOES IT TAKE PLASTIC TO DECOMPOSE

Every day we use plenty of items that cause irreparable damage to the environment.
Let's take a look at the most popular of them - and calculate how long it will take a plastic item to decompose.

Containers for eggs and vegetables

It takes them 10 to 100 years to fully decompose - and poison water, air and living organisms in the process. In Russia, there are currently no facilities that process this type of plastic (polystyrene).
Plastic containers for eggs and meat can be substituted by packaging made of corrugated cardboard that breaks down in natural environment.

Disposable tableware

The average time of its decomposition is 500 years. It takes pure plastic many years to decompose. Modern plastic products can reduce the decomposition time to 30-80 years.
Plastic tableware can be substituted by dishes made of glass or hard plastic.

Wet wipes

They also include plastic, so their decomposition time reaches up to 100 years. Harmful substances can pollute nature, causing damage to animals and other microorganisms.
You can replace wet wipes with paper tissues soaked in antibacterial liquid.

Plastic bottles

It takes them about 400 years to break down. Besides, tiny plastic particles stay in bottled water, causing harm to humans. You can replace plastic bottles with reusable bottles.

Dish sponges

Besides the high bacteria count, such products require about 200 years to fully break down. It is highly advisable that you use jute scrubbers instead. They are much more environmentally friendly.

Plastic bags

They are able to pass harmful substances to the food stored in them. Despite their short-term use, it takes plastic bags up to 100 years to decompose. Today, breathable eco-bags are used as an alternative - they help prevent food from getting rotten.

Cotton pads, cotton buds

They contain a lot of synthetic fibers that may cause allergic reactions. Their decomposition time is hundreds of years. You can opt for the pads made of natural materials, as well as reusable pads.

Packaged coffee and bagged tea

Their packaging contains up to 30 percent of plastic and is able to decompose only up to 70 percent; the rest of the plastic remains in nature for many years.

Using loose leaf teas is much healthier and more environmentally friendly.

Take care of nature and your own health and be careful to abstain from using goods that contain non-biodegradable plastic.