Does trash last forever?

If a banana peel, a pizza slice, a paper napkin, and a plastic fork were left outside for a month, which items would likely show the most change due to decomposition?

• The plastic fork and paper napkin.

• The banana peel and pizza slice.

• The plastic fork and pizza slice.

• The banana peel and paper napkin.

What happens to most plastic items when they are left in the environment for a long time?

• They completely disappear and turn into soil.

• They break down into smaller and smaller pieces of plastic.

• They are eaten by tiny living things and become compost.

• They melt away due to sun and rain.

Why are tiny pieces of plastic, also known as microplastics, a concern for the environment?

• They make the ground too slippery for animals to walk on.

• They can be easily moved by wind and water to unexpected places.

• They can make plants and animals sick if they eat, drink, or grow around too much of them.

• They block sunlight from reaching plants in the ocean.

What are two important ways people can help reduce the problem of plastic waste?

• Use more plastic bags and throw them in any trash can.

• Reduce the amount of plastic used and dispose of waste in proper bins.

• Burn plastic waste to make it disappear faster.

• Leave plastic items outside to break down naturally.