Trash Timeline

Make an Impact

Humans do a lot of things that positively impact the environment, like conserving natural lands or volunteering for beach clean ups. Humans also do a lot of things that negatively impact the environment, like leaving trash or introducing non-native species into ecosystems. Not littering is one of the easiest ways to practice stewardship. Leaving one piece of trash might not seem like a big deal, but if everyone left one then there would be a big impact.

Trash Timeline

Complete the math problems below to find out how long it takes trash to decompose, or break down over time.

Glass bottle..........................12,000,000 ÷ 12 = _______ years

Aluminum can.......................40 x 5 = _______________ years

Plastic beverage bottle...........27 + 123 = ____________ years

Plastic bag............................60 ÷ 3 = ______________ years

Apple core............................8 - 5 = _______________ months

Banana peel.........................20 ÷ 4 = _____________ weeks

Paper towel..........................4 x 5 = ______________ weeks