Ecological awareness

How long does it
take to decompose?

Pick one or more everyday items and compare how far their footprint reaches in time.

Items

Pick what interests you

Select multiple items at once and compare them on the chart.

↑ Pick an item above and see how far its footprint reaches in time.

Timeline

Scale of time

Reference

How long each item takes to decompose

Full guide for every item — decomposition time, why it matters, and greener alternatives.

Methodology

Sources and limits

These times are approximate educational estimates, not precise countdowns. Material composition, thickness, sunlight, oxygen, moisture, temperature and whether an item is in soil, landfill or seawater can change the result substantially. Plastics often fragment into microplastics rather than fully biodegrading.