Cardboard Vs Plastic: A Breakdown Speed Face-Off

Cardboard is a biodegradable material that breaks down much faster than plastic. While plastic can take years to break down, cardboard can decompose in as little as two weeks to six months, depending on various factors. These factors include the type of cardboard, its thickness, the presence of coatings or additives, moisture levels, and temperature. In this article, we will explore the breakdown process of cardboard and compare it to the decomposition of plastic, highlighting the environmental implications of each.

Cardboard will break down faster in moist soil

Cardboard that has been used repeatedly will decompose faster than newly made boxes. The longer the use, the closer it is to the end of its lifespan. Older cardboard boxes will deteriorate much quicker, typically within two weeks to a month. You can make the process easier by soaking cardboard in warm foamy water and tearing it into small pieces before composting it.

Cardboard that is heavily processed, such as juice or milk cartons, is coated with a wax or similar substance to prevent leakage. These will decompose, given about five years, but their resistance to water will significantly prolong the process. Corrugated cardboard will break down significantly more quickly.

The farther along towards being "broken down" a piece of cardboard is when decomposition begins, the faster the process will be completed. Ripping or shredding a piece of cardboard and mixing these pieces with viable soil will result in much faster biodegradation.

Cardboard that has been used repeatedly will decompose faster

Cardboard that has been used repeatedly will have been exposed to more wear and tear, which will make it easier for worms and soil bacteria to break it down. The moisture levels in the soil will also have a big impact on how fast the cardboard will break down. If the soil is kept moist throughout spring and summer, cardboard will break down in around three months. However, if the cardboard is thick, the weather is cold, and it is stuck under a sand layer, it can take up to six months or more to break down.

To speed up the process, you can rip or shred the cardboard and mix the pieces with viable soil. This will increase the surface area of the cardboard that is exposed to water and biological decomposers, allowing them to take the cardboard apart more efficiently.

Cardboard with a larger surface area will break down faster

For example, ripping or shredding cardboard and mixing the pieces with viable soil will result in much faster biodegradation. This is because worms and soil bacteria will break down plain cardboard faster. Keeping the soil moist will help these decomposers to thrive and digest the cardboard.

The moisture levels in your soil and raised garden bed have a big impact on how fast the cardboard will break down. If the garden is kept moist throughout spring and summer, it will break down in around 3 months. This can be extended to 6 months or more if the cardboard is thick, the weather is cold, and if it is stuck under a sand layer.

Cardboard boxes without added materials will take about 2 weeks to 2 months to finally decompose. You can make the process easier by soaking them in warm foamy water and tearing them into small pieces before taking them to your compost pit.

Cardboard will break down faster in a no-dig garden bed

To speed up the process, rip or shred the cardboard and mix the pieces with viable soil. The more surface area the cardboard has exposed to water and biological decomposers, the more efficiently these decomposers can break it down. Keeping the soil moist will also help the cardboard to break down faster, as worms and soil bacteria will break down plain cardboard more quickly.

Heavily processed cardboard, such as juice or milk cartons, is coated with a wax or similar substance to prevent leakage. This type of cardboard will take around five years to decompose, but their resistance to water will significantly prolong the process. Corrugated cardboard will break down significantly more quickly.

Cardboard boxes that have been used repeatedly will decompose faster than newly made boxes. The longer the use, the closer it is to the end of its lifespan. Older cardboard boxes will typically deteriorate within two weeks to a month.

Plastic can take years to break down

Cardboard, on the other hand, will break down much faster. In a no-dig garden bed, cardboard will break down in around 3 months. This can be extended to 6 months or more if the cardboard is thick, the weather is cold, and if it is stuck under a sand layer. Keeping the garden bed moist is essential for new seedings and vegetables and will also help cardboard to break down faster.

Heavily processed cardboard, such as juice or milk cartons, is coated with a wax or similar substance to prevent leakage. These will decompose, given about five years, but their resistance to water will significantly prolong the process. Corrugated cardboard will break down significantly more quickly. The farther along a piece of cardboard is towards being "broken down" when decomposition begins, the faster the process will be completed. Ripping or shredding a piece of cardboard and mixing these pieces with viable soil will result in much faster biodegradation. The more surface area the cardboard has exposed to water and biological decomposers, the more efficiently these decomposers can take the cardboard apart.

Therefore, cardboard breaks down much faster than plastic. While plastic can take hundreds or even thousands of years to break down, cardboard will typically decompose within a few months to a few years.

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