The cotton industry has been one of the most important until the twentieth century and today is still important, since it is used for the manufacture of clothing, towels, bedding, among other textile and hygiene products and, in addition, it is used for the production of oil from its seed. Its cultivation is within the most polluting by the pesticides that are used in them, affecting these not only the environment, but also the health of workers.
As we have said, there are many products that are manufactured from it, but once we throw them because they cannot be used more or it no longer serves us, what is the cotton degradation time? This is a very common question between those who care about the environment and want to decide what products use and how they use them based on their environmental impact. Other doubts related to this are: What is the most friendly fabric for the environment? How long does cotton clothes last? How long does a cotton fabric bag take to degrade if you want to answer all these questions, do not stop reading the following ecology article about how long does cotton are degraded in the environment.
How long does it take to degrade cotton
The cotton decomposition Compared to the raw material used for the manufacture of other fabrics or garments, it is short. That is why Cotton -made garments are more friendly With the environment, although this does not mean that the processes to achieve cotton or for the manufacture of garments are, since they generate a strong impact on the environment.
However, at the time of degradation of this raw material, it could be said that it is respectful of the environment, so the question is: How long does it take to degrade cotton fabric? Either a t -shirt or a cotton fabric bag, these objects usually have a degradation time of approximately 2 months In the environment, but it will depend on the weather and the size and thickness of the cotton fabric.
For those who wonder how long the cotton clothes last, the answer is that if you take care of it when using it, keeping it in the closet and washing it, it can last for many years, although of course you will see the wear of the fabric. However, once it is thrown and if it ends in the environment or on the floor of a landfill, it will take at least 2 months to degrade.
Environmental impact of cotton
Now that you know How long does cotton takewe want to go into more detail in the aspect of Environmental impact produced by cotton.
- In the process of cultivating cotton plants it is used large amount of chemicals and pesticidesbeing many of them harmful to health.
- But not only the cotton industry is harmful to health, it also has important environmental impacts. The indiscriminate use of chemicals and pesticides is due to the fact that the seeds are less and less resistant to pests or these pests become increasingly resistant to these pesticide products and, as one of the consequences, secondary pests have appeared that also fight with more aggressive chemicals and pesticides.
- They also look contaminated underground and superficial bodies Because of the excess of fertilizer with many chemicals, especially nitrogen, making this water not suitable for human consumption and also directly affects the biodiversity of the territory.
- Besides, In manufacturing clothing garments, large amounts of water are needed. For example, to manufacture approximately 12,000 liters of water.
- In addition, the land is subject to intensive activity causing desertification of it.
- Finally, add that the process from the cotton leaves the field until the desired product is obtained (a cotton shirt, a cotton disc, a swab, a cotton fabric bag, etc.), have consumed Large amounts of energy and fuel For the operation of machinery and transport, generating greenhouse gas emissions that will accumulate in the atmosphere.
Where cotton is thrown
All those cotton products, such as offalbolinte cotton discs, rods, clothing garments … must go to Gray container. In this container, those waste that cannot be recycled or used for compost is discarded, ending these in the landfills or landfills.
Also all those garments that are in good condition, but we no longer use it because we do not look good, they can be deposited in Special clothing collection containerswhich sometimes belong to associations that collect them for the most disadvantaged people.
The materials that take less time to degrade
He Waste degradation time It can vary greatly, according to the material itself but also according to the conditions to which it is exposed (for example, the rains, the extreme sun, etc.). Know What are the materials that take less time to degrade? Next, some examples will be shown:
- The paper or cardboard mainly composed of cellulose takes to degrade 1 year.
- How long does it take a can to disappear? An aluminum can take up to 10 years to degrade. The same time need polypropylene vessels.
- Tetrabrik containers have a degradation time for about 30 years.
- The steel and plastic used for lighters can take up to 100 years.
The materials that take longer to degrade
There has already been the decomposition time of the materials that take less to disappear but, What are the materials that take more to degrade? Let’s look at some of them, being also the ones that pollute the planet the most.
- Plastic bags can take up to 150 years to degrade.
- From 500 to 1000 years is what the batteries take, which must be treated correctly since they are very polluting.
- PET bottles take approximately 1000 years to disappear.
- Glass is one of the materials that takes care to degrade, with a duration of up to 4000 years. The good thing about this material is that it is 100% recyclable.
If you want to read more articles similar to How long does cotton take to degradewe recommend that you enter our recycling and waste management category.
- Writing of fruit portal. (2018, July 27). Fruit portal. Cotton: The most polluting culture in the world: 9 Reasons to use organic cotton: https://www.portalfruticola.com/noticias/2018/07/27/algodon-el-lultiv
- Mijares, O. (2020, September 15). Pollution. The cotton culture is not soft or subtle: https://lacontaminacion.org/impacto-ambiental-del-cultivo-de-algodon/