Biodegradable
Timeline
Cans (aluminum) 200 yrs
Cans (tin) 50 years
Cardboard box 2 months
Cotton Rope 3 to 14 months
Diapers (Biodegradable) 1 yr
Diapers (disposable) 450 yrs
Fishing line 600 yrs
Glass Undetermined
Photo-degradable drinking cup 6 months
Plastic bags & wrappers 10 to 20 yrs
Plastic bottle 450 yrs
Plastic six-pack holder 400 yrs
Styrofoam (buoy) 80 yrs
Styrofoam (cup) 50 yrs
Wood (painted 15 yrs
Wood (Plywood) 1 to 3 yrs
80% of marine debris is washed, blown or dumped from land.
Plastic accounts for more than 50% of all marine debris.
Many objects look like food to marine mammals and birds -
this debris can lodge in their stomachs and cause
starvation.
