The following chart outlines the estimated amount of time it takes these everyday household items to decompose when they are exposed to light and air.*

 

Oceanside trash

 Banana peel
  2 months
 Notebook paper
  3 months
 Comic book
  6 months
 Wool mitten
  1 year
 Cardboard milk carton
  5 years
 Wooden baseball bat  20 years
 Leather baseball glove  40 years
 Steel can
  100 years
 Aluminum soda can  350 years
 Plastic sandwich bag
  400 years
 Plastic six-pack ring
  450 years
 Polystyrene foam cup
  Maybe never
 Car tire  Maybe never
 Glass bottle
  Maybe never

 

*Source: Cornell University Cooperative Extension of Albany County, New York, and the Environmental Protection Agency