How long does it take the items we use every day to decompose?
Decomposition is the process of breaking down or decaying. The time it takes for items to decompose varies with sunlight, rainfall, bacteria, and soil conditions. Read below for more information, or visit our timeline trail at EWBC from April 22nd - May 1st. For ways to help reduce litter, please go to our "Recycling Resources" section below.
Paper Towels
2-4 weeks
Paper towels and napkins are NOT recyclable because they are often contaminated with food waste or chemicals.
How can you help?
- Use fewer paper towels
- Replace them with reusable kitchen towels
- Recycle paper towel rolls
APPLE CORE
2 months
Food waste takes longer to decompose than you'd think. Throwing 'natural' foods on the ground is still considered littering and can be harmful to wildlife.
How can you help?
Keep the environment clean by disposing of your trash properly in a garbage can or compost pile. For resources on composting, see resources below.
cotton shirt
3-6 months
Clothing items made of 100% cotton decompose faster compared to clothing made with a blend of different fibers. Choose fabrics that are more biodegradable and sustainable such as linen, wool, and silk.
How can you help?
Donate, swap, or recycle the clothing you no longer wear. See resources below.
banana peel
up to 2 years
Animals don't always eat our food waste, which means it may take years to decompose depending on the environment they're in. Banana peels can take weeks or even years to decompose!
How can you help?
Add banana peels to your compost bin. In a few weeks, the peels would have broken down and contributed important nutrients to the soil. For resources on composting, see resources below.
milk carton
5 years
Juice and milk cartons are made with paper, plastic, and sometimes even aluminum! The packaging creates a barrier to hold the liquid, but it takes longer to decompose.
How can you help?
Shop for products that have recyclable packaging.
plastic bag
10-20 years
When a plastic bag is exposed to sunlight and air over a long period of time, the plastic breaks down into small pieces, called microplastics. Bags that end up buried in landfills can last up to 1,000 years!
How can you help?
When grocery shopping, use canvas totes or paper bags.
foam cup
50 years
Foam cups and other styrofoam products do not break down completely. Small pieces of plastic find their way to the ocean and are consumed by marine animals.
How can you help?
- Choose cups made of recyclable materials
- Use reusable containers like travel mugs and thermoses
aluminum can
80-200 years
Aluminum cans are one of the most recyclable materials. In fact, it takes less energy and natural resources to recycle aluminum products than to make new ones.
How can you help?
Save energy and resources by recycling aluminum products. For local recycling centers, see resources below.
batteries
100 years
When they are left in landfills, batteries can be dangerous to the environment and human health. The metal exterior breaks down and exposes the heavy metals inside. Harmful chemicals are released into the soil and contaminate the water supply.
How can you help?
- Use rechargeable batteries
- Recycle single-use batteries
For battery recycling locations, see resources below.
plastic straw
200 years
Straws are single-use products that contribute to the plastic pollution in waterways, mainly our oceans. Straws are dangerous to wildlife because they often mistake them for food.
How can you help?
Next time, skip the straw or choose paper and metal straws instead!
disposable diaper
250-500 years
Most disposable diapers are made with plastic, chemicals, and dyes, which means they cannot be recycled. They take hundreds of years to break down and produce toxic waste.
How can you help?
- Natural diapers: made with plant-based materials and fewer chemicals
- Cloth diapers: reusable and produce less waste
- Hybrid diapers: travel-friendly
plastic bottle
450 years
Only a small percentage of plastic bottles are recycled each year. They usually end up as litter, in landfills, and in the ocean. When exposed to sunlight, the plastic is broken down into smaller pieces and releases toxic chemicals that pollute the environment.
How can you help?
Consider using water filters at home and reusable water bottles on the go! For local recycling centers, see resources below.
monofilament fishing line
600 years
This type of fishing line is made of durable plastic that breaks down when exposed to heat and sunlight over a long period of time. Discarded fishing line is dangerous to animals because they can get tangled or trapped.
How can you help?
- When you go fishing, never leave any fishing line behind!
- The fishing industry is working on making biodegradable fishing lines commercially available.
For information on recycling monofilament, see resources below.
glass
1,000,000 years
Glass is made from natural materials, like sand, and can be easily recycled. It is crushed, melted, and re-formed to produce new glass. However, millions of tons of glass still end up in landfills every year.
How can you help?
Keep glass out of landfills by recycling or reusing glass containers. For local recycling centers, see resources below.
Recycling Resources
Recycling CenterS
The City of Edinburg Resources Recovery Center is located at 3102 S. US-281 BUS in Edinburg and offers drive-thru drop off convenience for recyclable materials such as cardboard, newspaper, magazines, paper, aluminum cans, tin/steel cans, plastics #1 & #2, motor oil, lead-acid batteries. For more information, visit HERE.
The City of McAllen Recycling Center accepts many different recyclable items, including cardboard, paper, plastics, aluminum cans, tin, and glass. For more information, visit HERE.
Clothing Recyling
Rather than toss old clothes in the trash, there are many places to recycle, sell, donate or upcycle old clothing. Here are a few resources.
LOCAL
ONLINE
BatTERY RECYCLING
Batteries can be dangerous in landfills. Click HERE for places to properly dispose of batteries, whether they're rechargeable AA batteries or disposable alkaline batteries.
Composting
monofilament fishing line
Used fishing line left on the shoreline, on piers or docks, or in the water is harmful to fish, wildlife, people, and boat motors. Recycling offers a way to keep it out of the environment and convert it to make useful items. For more information on recycling monofilament, visit HERE.