Marine Debris Biodegradable Timeline

Biodegrade Time Line

This chart shows the amount of time it takes for an item to biodegrade if in the ocean, Please make sure to use trash and recycle receptacles.

Newspaper 6 weeks	Paper towels 2-4 weeks	Photodegradable 6-pack ring 6 months	Plastic 6-pack ring 400 years	Microfilament fishing line 600 years
Wool glove 1 year	Waxed Milk Carton 3 months	Painted wooden stick 13 years	Biodegradable diaper 1 year	Disposable diapers 450 years
Tin can 50 years	Foam cup 50 years	Plastic bottle 450 years	Cotton glove 1-5 months	Cardboard box 2 weeks
Styrofoam buoy 80 years	Cotton rope 3-14 months	Glass bottles/jars undetermined	Aluminum can 200 years	Plywood 1-3 years
Apple core 2 months Source EPA