Every piece of waste we throw away doesn’t just disappear — it stays with us for a very long time. Here’s how long different types of trash take to decompose and their impact on the environment and Thailand’s oceans:
Plastic: Takes 450+ years to decompose
- Plastics break down into microplastics in the ocean, which are eaten by marine animals, entering the food chain and eventually impacting humans.
🔹 Aluminum Cans: Take 80-200 years
- Metal waste releases heavy metals into the water, poisoning marine life and damaging the ecosystem.
🔹 Glass Bottles: Take up to 1 million years or may never fully decompose
- Sharp glass shards damage coral reefs and pose a serious threat to marine animals and divers.
🔹 Food Waste: Decomposes in a few weeks to months
- However, when dumped in the ocean, it depletes oxygen levels, leading to “dead zones” where marine life struggles to survive.
🔹 Synthetic Fibers (e.g., from clothes): Take 20-200 years
- Microfibers from synthetic fabrics contribute to microplastic pollution — a growing silent threat to marine ecosystems worldwide.
🌍 Every piece of trash has a bigger impact than you think.
Each year, Thailand’s seas suffer from waste generated domestically and from open oceans. This crisis endangers rare marine species like sea turtles, dolphins, and whales, putting their lives — and the future of our oceans — at serious risk.
Don’t think your one piece of trash doesn’t matter. It could cost the life of a marine animal and the health of our oceans.
