LANDFILL DECOMPOSION ACTIVITY
AP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
PERIOD_______
TEAM________
Items to be decomposed (not in correct order):
a. Aluminum can
b. Bamboo pole
c. Cotton rag
d. Glass bottle
e. Cigarette filter (the orange-colored end of a cigarette: cigarette butt)
f. Painted wood
g. Plastic six-pack rings
h. Twine (a type of thick string made of natural fibers)
i. Tin can
j Paper bag
k. Plastic bag
l. Orange peel
m. Leather shoe
n. Wool socks
o. Nylon fabric (a synthetic, man-made material)
Directions: On the back of this sheet you will find a list of various time
frames for decomposition. Try to match up the above items with the time it
takes for them to fully decompose in a landfill. Assume an ideal
decomposition environment in the landfill. That means that there will be
adequate moisture levels and warm temperatures. Write out the full name
of the item on the line next to the time frame.
Time to decompose
1. _________________
3-4 weeks
2. _________________
1-3 months
3. _________________
3-14 months
4. _________________
6 months to 2 years
5. _________________
1-3 years
6. _________________
1-5 years
7. _________________
13 years
8. _________________
15 years
9. _________________
10-20 years
10. _________________
30-40 years
11. __________________
45 years
12.__________________
100 years
13.___________________
100-450 years
14.___________________
200-500 years
15. ___________________
1,000,000 plus years