They would take thousands of years to decompose and in the meantime they would harm the environment. If not properly disposed of they can cause health risks to humans. From lithium to lead to mercury and many others, these toxic metals can leach into the water system and soil. The reason that electronics can’t be put in a landfill is because they are made of many different and possibly harmful materials. “What to do with electronics?” is a common question we get. Paper can be recycled up to 6 times before the fibers become too weak to be reused. It only takes 2 to 6 weeks to decompose, but it can also be recycled and turned into a new product. Paper is another common household item that is highly recyclable. But let’s say it does end up in a landfill, how long will it take to decompose? 50 to 500 years! So remember to recycle your metals. Metals are ideal for recycling because they can be melted down and turned into a pure raw material again very easily. From steel cans to aluminum, all of it can be recycled instead of ending up in a landfill. For instance, one of the most recyclable materials is metal. Learn more on our blog all about Yard Waste! MetalsĪ lot of household items end up in landfills and many of them could be recycled instead of rotting with other trash. And if you don’t think you can do at home composting, you can always bring your yard waste to Twin Enviro for composting! We take branches, limbs, leaves, and grass clippings that we then turn into compost that our customers can use (subject to availability). For tree leaves it can take 6 month to 1 year to fully decompose, while grass clippings only take a couple of weeks.įood and organic matter make for excellent compost! They make a nutrient rich additive for soil and can drastically reduce the amount of trash you send to the landfill. The smaller pieces take less time to break down. This is why for composting it’s best to chip the wood. What about yard waste? Wood from trees, like stumps, branches, and limbs will take a very long time to decompose, upwards of 50-100 years if left whole. One that might surprise you, lettuce takes 25 years to decompose! So it’s important to not throw food on the side of the road or in nature, as it takes food a whole lot longer than you might think to biodegrade! Organic Matter But out in nature, it would take significantly longer for all of these items to decompose. Pistachio shells are another one that takes a long time, while composting it could take 3+ years. While an orange peel will take +6 months. But how long does it take for food to decompose? Most vegetables can range from 5 days to 1 month, an apple core or a banana peel will take +1 month. Much of it could decompose in landfills, but because there is often a lack of oxygen the microbes that break down organic matter can’t do their jobs. Roughly 30-40% of the food we bring home is thrown away and ends up in the landfill. Keep reading to learn how long it takes for common items to decompose: Food Waste Have you ever wondered how long the items you throw away will take to decompose? Not everything can biodegrade in a landfill, and much of what ends up in landfills is actually recyclable or reusable. And Is It Landfill Bound or Can It Be Recycled?
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