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How long is it estimated that it takes for glass to naturally degrade in nature?

Question #104774. Asked by star_gazer.
Last updated Jun 01 2021.

scottietwenty3
Answer has 9 votes
Currently Best Answer
scottietwenty3
15 year member
388 replies

Answer has 9 votes.

Currently voted the best answer.
Glass bottles 1 million years

The next issue is how long it takes for the material to actually break down. In nature, different materials biodegrade at different rates. A leaf takes approximately a year to become part of the forest floor. An iron shovel, on the other hand can take years to rust away to nothing, and a large tree can take decades to completely break down. Common sense tells us that any material will ultimately biodegrade, even if it takes centuries.

Here's how long it takes for some commonly used products to biodegrade, when they are scattered about as litter:

Cotton rags 1-5 months
Paper 2-5 months
Rope 3-14 months
Orange peels 6 months
Wool socks 1 to 5 years
Cigarette butts 1 to 12 years
Plastic coated paper milk cartons 5 years
Leather shoes 25 to 40 years
Nylon fabric 30 to 40 years
Tin cans 50 to 100 years
Aluminum cans 80 to 100 years
Plastic 6-pack holder rings 450 years
Glass bottles 1 million years
Plastic bottles Forever

link https://www.activesustainability.com/environment/waste-planet-digest-how-long-it-takes-to-decay/

Response last updated by CmdrK on Jun 01 2021.
Apr 16 2009, 9:19 PM
foosyerdoos
Answer has 4 votes
foosyerdoos
16 year member
135 replies

Answer has 4 votes.
The one million years estimate is in ideal conditions.

Very difficult question to answer. It depends on the environment the glass is kept in. In the ocean, glass will degrade much quicker than it will on land!

Referenced from observation of smooth, worn glass on the beach.

Different environments degrade glass at different speeds.
link http://education.seattlepi.com/long-glass-bottle-degrade-landfill-5235.html

Response last updated by LadyNym on Aug 22 2016.
Apr 17 2009, 1:08 AM
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