How Long Does It Items Take To Biodegrade in Landfills?

Tin cans- 50 to 100 years

Aluminum Cans- 80 to 100 years

Glass Bottles- 1 million years

Newspapers- 25 to 50 years

Polystyrene- 1000's of years

Plastic bags- 400 years

"Green Film™ "  Plastic Bags and Products- 9 months to 5 years

Interesting Facts on Sustainability

Paper grocery bags: It takes one 15-20 year old tree to get approximately 700 bags. In 1999, more than 14 million trees were felled to make 10 billion paper grocery bags used that year. (American Forest and Paper Assoc.)

Food waste does not degrade in landfills as there is no light, water, or oxygen needed to the create bacterial activity needed. A garbage project done by the University of Arizona unearthed hot dogs, meat, and grapes that were 25 years old and still recognizable.They were able to date these products by the newspapers in the landfill with them that were still readable. 

(Worldwise. com)

Plastic bags release 92% fewer emissions into the air than paper bags. They use 20- 40% less energy to make 2 plastic bags than needed to make 1 paper bag. (American Plastics Council)


Which will take more fossil fuels to deliver to grocery stores? One truck can hold 1 million plastic bags, but it takes 6 trucks to hold 1 million paper bags.

Landfill space: 2,000 paper bags stand 7 feet high and weigh 280 LBS. 2,000 plastic bags measure 7.25 inches and weigh 30 LBS.

Of the entire amount of petroleum used in the United States every year, only .03% is used for making plastic. (Ecogeek- Jan.31, 2008)