Study: Environmental - Decomposition of Everyday Items

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1. Approximately how long can an apple core take to decompose in a compost pile?

Answer: 2 weeks to 2 months

2. Approximately how long may a banana peel take to decompose in natural outdoor conditions?

Answer: 1 to 2 years

3. Approximately how long can orange or citrus peels take to decompose?

Answer: 6 months to 2 years

4. Why do citrus peels often decompose slowly?

Answer: Citrus oils resist microbial breakdown

5. Approximately how long can a paper towel take to decompose?

Answer: 2 to 4 weeks

6. Approximately how long can a plastic grocery bag take to begin fragmenting?

Answer: 10 to 20 years

7. Approximately how long can a PET plastic bottle take to decompose?

Answer: 450 years or more

8. What usually happens to plastic instead of fully biodegrading?

Answer: It fragments into microplastics

9. Approximately how long may Styrofoam or expanded polystyrene persist?

Answer: 500 years or more

10. Approximately how long can an aluminum can take to decompose?

Answer: 80 to 200 years

11. Approximately how long can a steel or tin can take to decompose?

Answer: Approximately 50 years

12. Approximately how long can a glass bottle take to decompose?

Answer: 1 million years or more

13. Approximately how long can a cotton shirt take to decompose?

Answer: 1 to 5 months

14. Approximately how long can polyester clothing take to decompose?

Answer: 20 to 200 years

15. Approximately how long can untreated wood take to decompose?

Answer: 1 to 3 years

16. What slows the decay of treated lumber?

Answer: Chemical preservatives

17. Approximately how long can cigarette filters take to decompose?

Answer: 10 to 15 years

18. Approximately how long can disposable diapers take to decompose?

Answer: 250 to 500 years

19. Why can landfills slow decomposition?

Answer: Lack of oxygen can preserve materials

20. What dramatically speeds up decomposition?

Answer: Composting

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