Book 25, Question 119
Why does a plastic bottle left outside last for hundreds of years?
Plastic is made from long chains of molecules that bacteria and fungi do not know how to eat.
In sunlight and weather, plastic breaks into smaller and smaller pieces, but the pieces don't disappear. They become tiny bits called microplastics. That is why it is best to reuse plastic, recycle it, and never litter. Picking up litter helps keep parks and streams clean.
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Quick answers
Why does a plastic bottle left outside last for hundreds of years?
Plastic doesn’t degrade or break down like other materials do.
Source: NOAA
More fun facts
- Plastics that have chemicals that keep them from degrading in sunlight or make them resistant to heat may last much longer than plastics without these additives.
- Nearly 13 million metric tons of plastic garbage enter into the sea each year.
- Commonly found Plastics include cigarette butts, food wrappers, beverage bottles, straws, cups and plates, bottle caps, and single-use bags.
- Among the top 10 kinds of trash picked up during the 2017 International Coastal Cleanup were food wrappers, beverage bottles, grocery bags, straws, and take out containers, all made of plastic.
Questions kids ask
What are microplastics?
Microplastics are the multi-colored pieces of plastic that can be found in a handful of sand on the beach or in the ocean.
Source: NOAA