Environmental - Decomposition of Everyday Items

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Quiz Questions

1. Approximately how long can an apple core take to decompose in a compost pile?

1 to 2 days 2 weeks to 2 months 1 to 2 years 10 years

Difficulty: Easy

2. Approximately how long may a banana peel take to decompose in natural outdoor conditions?

2 weeks 1 to 2 months 1 to 2 years 10 years

Difficulty: Easy

3. Approximately how long can orange or citrus peels take to decompose?

1 week to 1 month 2 to 4 months 6 months to 2 years 10 years

Difficulty: Medium

4. Why do citrus peels often decompose slowly?

They contain metal compounds They are waterproof Citrus oils resist microbial breakdown They freeze easily

Difficulty: Medium

5. Approximately how long can a paper towel take to decompose?

1 to 2 years 2 to 4 weeks 5 to 10 years 100 years

Difficulty: Easy

6. Approximately how long can a plastic grocery bag take to begin fragmenting?

1 to 2 months 2 to 5 years 10 to 20 years 500 years

Difficulty: Medium

7. Approximately how long can a PET plastic bottle take to decompose?

20 years 80 years 450 years or more 1 million years

Difficulty: Easy

8. What usually happens to plastic instead of fully biodegrading?

It evaporates It dissolves into water It fragments into microplastics It becomes soil immediately

Difficulty: Easy

9. Approximately how long may Styrofoam or expanded polystyrene persist?

5 years 50 years 500 years or more 20 years

Difficulty: Medium

10. Approximately how long can an aluminum can take to decompose?

2 to 5 years 10 to 20 years 80 to 200 years 500 years

Difficulty: Medium

11. Approximately how long can a steel or tin can take to decompose?

1 year 10 years Approximately 50 years 500 years

Difficulty: Medium

12. Approximately how long can a glass bottle take to decompose?

500 years 10,000 years 1 million years or more 100 years

Difficulty: Hard

13. Approximately how long can a cotton shirt take to decompose?

1 to 5 months 1 to 5 years 20 to 200 years 500 years

Difficulty: Easy

14. Approximately how long can polyester clothing take to decompose?

1 to 5 months 20 to 200 years 500 years 10 years

Difficulty: Medium

15. Approximately how long can untreated wood take to decompose?

1 to 3 months 1 to 3 years 10 to 20 years 100 years

Difficulty: Easy

16. What slows the decay of treated lumber?

Cold temperatures Chemical preservatives Sunlight Salt water

Difficulty: Easy

17. Approximately how long can cigarette filters take to decompose?

1 to 2 years 5 years 10 to 15 years 100 years

Difficulty: Medium

18. Approximately how long can disposable diapers take to decompose?

20 to 40 years 100 years 250 to 500 years 1 million years

Difficulty: Hard

19. Why can landfills slow decomposition?

Landfills are too hot Too much sunlight Lack of oxygen can preserve materials Microbes are removed

Difficulty: Medium

20. What dramatically speeds up decomposition?

Freezing Vacuum sealing Composting Plastic wrapping

Difficulty: Easy

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