Are there biodegradation timelines for discarded plastic outdoor chairs in landfills?

Plastic outdoor chairs, like most plastic products, are designed for durability rather than biodegradability. When discarded in landfills, these chairs can take hundreds of years to decompose due to the slow breakdown of synthetic polymers under anaerobic conditions. Traditional plastics, such as polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP), may persist for 400–500 years or longer, releasing microplastics over time. While some biodegradable plastics exist, they often require specific conditions (e.g., sunlight, oxygen, or industrial composting) to break down efficiently—conditions rarely met in landfills. The lack of oxygen and microbial activity in landfills further delays decomposition, making plastic waste a long-term environmental burden. To mitigate this, recycling or opting for certified compostable materials is crucial for reducing landfill impact.