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A very long time. Exactly how long depends a lot on the specific type of plastic as well as the environment that it is in. Exposure to direct sunlight helps speed up the process. Plastics never actually 'decompose', they merely break down into smaller and smaller pieces. Being an inorganic material, in never will compost.
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Wiki User
∙ 8y ago
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoapproximately 700 yrs for landfill :)
Answer
As plastic is a generic name for certain synthetic or semisynthetic materials, all are not the same. Some plasics will be harder and more durable than other plasics. The above answer of 700 years will vary from one type of plastic to another. No certain time period can be given.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoPlastic will begin to degrade at a varying rate depending on it's quality. From days, to many years.
Now, by degrade we mean it will break apart into smaller pieces of plastic, right down to single molecules. However, if you're meaning break down into different substances which could possibly be of use in nature (such as living things do) then the answer is never. Every molecule of plastic we have made which we haven't manually changed to a different form is still in nature.
This fact is actually a very critical environmental concern currently, as there is a massive amount of these single molecules of plastic in the oceans which are effecting fish populations (and things which eat fish, like us)
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoPlastics in general are not considered biodegradable due to their molecular stability. Plastics do not easily break down into simpler components.
A plastic bag will break down into smaller pieces of plastic, but that is not the same as biodegrading.
Some estimates are 500 years to degrade, some more conservative are 1000 years. The bags will photodegrade, but that will take a long time, hence the 500-1000 year estimate. The problem is there are no bacteria breaking down the plastic. Eventually some may evolve to do so, but science may need to step in and speed the process along.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoIf you leave a plastic shopping bag in the garage in relatively dry conditions it will not last more than 3-4 years. By then when you pick it up it will disintegrate. If it is wet in the ocean? Not sure
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoPlastic never biodegrades, it takes forever. If it seems to start biodegrading, its just getting smaller from weather
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoit depends on the type of plastic. a bottle stays forever, yet polyesterine the main material biodegrades very quickly in sunlight
Wiki User
∙ 13y agostrong carbon bonding makes it strong and hard to break
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoIt takes over 1000 years for a plastic bottle to rot
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago10 years
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How long does it take for human flesh to rot?
In my experience - one billion years
Do pine cones rot?
Eventually Yes they do, as all other organic things. It does take more time than for example a leaf to rot, but yes, it does rot.
How long does it take for an egg to rot?
depends on temperature of room, for instance, if its very hot, its goin to rot in 9 days
How long does it take for plastic to rot?
Biodegradable plastics can break apart into tiny pieces within a year, from weathering and ultraviolet solar radiation. Some non biodegradable plastics, like water bottles, buried in the earth, could survive largely intact for several billion years. Plastic foam cigarette butts typically last twenty to thirty years, if they are on the surface, exposed to the sun and elements. There is very wide variation.
How long does it take for meth to rot teeth?
it can take lil as a year depending on the person.
How long does it take plastic to rot?
It does rot as per me. I have never seen a plastic gets rot
Does blow molding affect the environment?
Yes. It released CO2 into the atmosphere and the plastic is non-biodegradable, so will take millions of years to rot in a landfill site.
Do McDonalds hamburgers rot faster than all natural hamburgers?
No, in fact, they take many years to rot. They may get dry and crusty, but still edible, and no mold!
How long does it take for bread to rotten if it is in a plastic bag?
it takes 5 days to completely rot
How long does it take for a tomato to rot in a plastic bag?
About 2-3 weeks based on my experience.
Why must you recycle plastic?
When you put something in the bin, and it is taken into the garbage, it is pressed onto the ground later on to rot, and plastic can take up to 1,000 years rotting. Think of all the plants it would choke during such a long time!But note that there are different types of plastic.
Why are plastic containers a problem if thrown away in landfill sites?
because they take a long time to rot and decay
How long does it take for human flesh to rot?
In my experience - one billion years
Which Fruit will rot first the one in the plastic bag or without plastic bag?
in the plastic bag first
How many years does it take for ink to decompose?
Ink is not comprised of anything that will rot or decay. The liquid would simply be absorbed into whatever material is surrounding it.
What happens when you don't recycle?
well, nothing really, it will just go to land fills and rot or decay for however many years depending on if it is paper, plastic, metal, or glass!
Why can't plastic grocer bags be recycled?
because the bags don't rot because they are plastic
