A bar chart titled "Decomposition rates of marine debris" shows the average estimated decomposition times of various marine debris items, with plastic items highlighted in blue.

A bar chart displaying the decomposition times of marine debris. Fishing line takes 600 years, plastic bottles and disposable diapers 450 years, plastic beverage holders 400 years, aluminum cans 200 years, tin cans, styrofoam cups, and foamed buoys 50 years, plastic bags 20 years, cigarette butts 5 years, photodegradable beverage holders 0.5 years, and waxed milk cartons 0.25 years.

Decomposition rates of marine debris Average estimated decomposition times of typical marine debris items. Plastic items are shown in blue. Our World in Data Fishing line 600 years Plastic bottle 450 years Disposable diaper 450 years Plastic beverage holder (six-rings) 400 years Aluminium can 200 years Tin can 50 years Syrofoam cup 50 years Foamed buoy 50 years Plastic bag 20 years Cigarette butt 5 years Photodegradable beverage holder 0.5 years Waxed milk carton 0.25 years Data source: U.S. National Park Service; Mote Marine Lab; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Debris Program OurWorldInData.org/faq-on-plastics | CC BY