How long does it take aluminum cans to decompose?

Aluminum cans do not decompose in the same way organic materials do because they are made of metal. Instead, they break down through a process known as corrosion, which can take a very long time in the right conditions. It is estimated that aluminum cans can take between 200 to 500 years to fully decompose in the environment. This long decomposition period highlights the importance of recycling, as recycling aluminum uses significantly less energy than creating new aluminum from raw materials.

Some alternative timeframes for other materials, such as organic waste or plastics, might be much shorter or longer, but aluminum's persistent nature makes it particularly crucial to manage through recycling efforts rather than allowing it to linger and accumulate in landfills.