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How long does litter last?
Scientists have approximated the length of time different types of trash last in our landfills. In many cases, litter stays around longer than we do!
| Material | Length of Time |
|---|---|
| Cigarette butt | 2-5 years |
| Tin can (soup/vegetable) | 50-80 years |
| Aluminum can | 200-500 years |
| Plastic jug | One million years |
| Styrofoam cup | Unknown - maybe forever! |
| Glass bottle | Unknown - maybe forever! |
| Plastic bags | Months - hundreds of years (as they decompose, tiny toxic bits seep into soils, lakes, rivers and the oceans |
