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Official Website

of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

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    Litter Information

    Quick Litter Tips

    • Don't litter.
    • Learn about litter so you can teach others that prevention is a wise choice to make.
    • If you see a friend litter, tell them why they shouldn't litter.
    • If you see litter, pick it up. (Unless it is broken glass, which should be swept up.)
    • Consider adopting a highway near you.

    The Life Span of Commonly Discarded Litter

    ItemDecomposition Time
    Glass BottleApproximately 1 Million Years
    Plastic 6-Pack Collar450 Years
    Aluminum Can200 - 500 Years
    Plastic Jug70 Years
    Rubber Boot Sole50 - 80 Years
    Steel Cans50 Years
    LeatherUp To 50 Years
    Nylon Fabric30 - 40 Years
    Plastic Film Canister20 - 30 Years
    Painted Wooden Stake13 Years
    Degradable Plastic Bag10 - 20 Years
    Disposable Diapers10 - 20 Years
    Wool ClothingOne - Five Years
    Cigarette ButtOne - Five Years
    Cotton RagOne - Five Months
    Orange Peel/Banana PeelTwo - Five Weeks
    Piece Of PaperTwo - Four Weeks
    Traffic TicketsTwo - Four Weeks
    Rolled NewspaperTwo - Six Weeks
    Candy WrapperOne - Three Months
    RopeThree - 14 Months