Washington, Florida, New Jersey and North Carolina are watching closely and considering similar laws depending on what happens in the Golden State. Worldwatch reports that taxes on plastic bags in South Africa and Ireland have been effective at reducing their use by upwards of 90 percent; Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Philippines, Taiwan and the UK are also planning to ban or tax plastic bags to help stem the tide of plastic waste.
Photo by Ret0dd, courtesy Flickr. Box , Westport, CT ; earthtalk emagazine. E is a nonprofit publication. Subscribe : www. Which of the following is the most important current corporate responsibility issue? View Results. Next Influential Voices in U.
Although it is derived from petroleum, which is processed from naturally occurring crude oil, plastic does not occur in nature. Moreover, as plastic degrades, it can leak toxins into the soil around it, leading to a whole host of other issues researchers must tackle. There are, however, new kinds of plastic on the market: Biodegradable plastics, or bioplastics.
It involves those chemical bonds we talked about earlier. Some scientists have created plant-based plastics using corn or sugarcane as a base material. The other and final category is some combination of the two: plant-based and fossil-fuel-based plastics.
Another — and very recent — innovation is the discovery of plastic-eating bacteria. Researchers discovered the species at a dumpsite and learned that it uses plastic as food. Moreover, it can survive the toxic chemicals that could be released from the breakdown process. From learning how to recycle plastic the right way and reducing your plastic pollution to learning how to compost, reduce your food waste, and shrink your carbon footprint, we have the answers to your eco-friendly living questions.
Get started on your path to greener living with these articles on recycling, sustainability and downright responsible living! Table of Contents Expand. Table of Contents. Plastic Waste. Disposable Diapers. Aluminum Cans. Paper Waste.
Food Waste. Other Waste Items. Final Note. By Rick LeBlanc. He has been covering the pallet and packaging industries for 25 years. Learn about our editorial policies. Updated on January 16, The rate of decomposition can depend on landfill conditions. Waste Item Decomposition Time Cigarette butts years Monofilament fishing line years Rubber boot soles years Foamed plastic cups 50 years Leather shoes years Milk cartons 5 years Plywood years Cotton gloves 3 months Cardboard 2 months Styrofoam Does not biodegrade Nylon fabric years Tin can 50 years Ropes months Aluminum cans years Train tickets 2 weeks Batteries years Sanitary pads years Wool clothing years Tinfoil Does not biodegrade.
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