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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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9y ago
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6mo ago

Plastic does not rot in the same way as organic materials. It can take hundreds to thousands of years for plastic to degrade completely, depending on factors such as exposure to sunlight, oxygen, and microorganisms.

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12y ago

approximately 700 yrs for landfill :)

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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.

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14y ago

Plastic 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)

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14y ago

Plastics 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.

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15y ago

If 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

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12y ago

Plastic never biodegrades, it takes forever. If it seems to start biodegrading, its just getting smaller from weather

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14y ago

it depends on the type of plastic. a bottle stays forever, yet polyesterine the main material biodegrades very quickly in sunlight

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14y ago

strong carbon bonding makes it strong and hard to break

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15y ago

It takes over 1000 years for a plastic bottle to rot

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Q: How many years does it take for plastic to rot?
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How long does it take for plastic to rot?

Well, friend, plastic doesn't actually rot like other natural materials. It can take hundreds to thousands of years for plastic to break down completely. But we can all do our part to reduce plastic waste and help protect our beautiful planet for future generations. Just like painting a happy little tree, every small act of kindness towards the environment makes a big difference.


How long does it take for an egg to rot?

It can take several weeks for an egg to rot completely, depending on environmental conditions like temperature and humidity. As the egg rots, it will develop a foul smell and may attract insects or bacteria.


Do pine cones rot?

Yes, pine cones can rot over time, especially when exposed to moisture and environmental factors that promote decay like fungus and bacteria. The decomposition process of pine cones involves breaking down of the materials they are composed of, such as cellulose and lignin, by microorganisms.


What is the difference between white rot and brown rot?

White rot fungi are able to break down lignin along with cellulose and hemicellulose in wood, resulting in white-colored decay. Brown rot fungi primarily degrade cellulose and hemicellulose in wood, while leaving behind lignin, resulting in a brown-colored decay. White rot fungi are more effective at decomposing lignin compared to brown rot fungi.


Which word means decay of wood?

The word you're looking for is "rot." Rot is the process of decaying and breaking down of organic matter, such as wood, caused by fungi and bacteria.

Related questions

How long does it take plastic to rot?

It does rot as per me. I have never seen a plastic gets rot


How long does a bottle take to rot away?

A plastic bottle can take hundreds to thousands of years to fully decompose in the environment, depending on factors such as exposure to sunlight, temperature, and type of plastic. However, the exact time frame can vary widely.


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 a tomato to rot in a plastic bag?

About 2-3 weeks based on my experience.


How long does it take for bread to rotten if it is in a plastic bag?

it takes 5 days to completely rot


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


Which Fruit will rot first the one in the plastic bag or without plastic bag?

in the plastic bag first


How long does it take for plastic to rot?

Well, friend, plastic doesn't actually rot like other natural materials. It can take hundreds to thousands of years for plastic to break down completely. But we can all do our part to reduce plastic waste and help protect our beautiful planet for future generations. Just like painting a happy little tree, every small act of kindness towards the environment makes a big difference.


Why can't plastic grocer bags be recycled?

because the bags don't rot because they are plastic


How long dose it take cheese to rot?

it will take about 8 weeks to rot


How many years plastic bottles can be decompose?

An average time for a plastic bottle to biodegrade fully is approximately 450-1000 years. However, there are many different kinds of plastic in the world, most commonly the hard and reusable ones, which take a longer time, and the soft and non-reusable ones, which take a shorter time. Time also varies with the size of the bottle. If they are sitting in landfills sealed and compacted with all of the other trash and bottles with no air moving, they won't decompose at all.a standard PETE plastic bottle will never rot.