Properly Sort Your Trash

Confused about what goes in what trash bins at school, in the lunchroon, or at home? Watch our quick video demonstration by Lower School Science teacher, Elizabeth McDonald, to learn just how to sort your trash.
Ever wonder how long it takes for things to decompose in our landfills? Check out some of these crazy but true landfill facts:
  • Banana - 3 to 4 weeks
  • Paper Bag - 1 month
  • Cotton Rag - 5 months
  • Wool Sock - 1 year
  • Cigarette Butt - 2 to 5 years
  • Leather Boot - 40 to 50 years
  • Rubber Sole (of a boot) - 50 to 80 years
  • Tin Can (soup or vegetable can) - 80 to 100 years
  • Aluminum Can (soda pop can) - 200 to 500 years
  • Diaper - 500 years
  • Plastic 6-Pack Rings - 450 years
  • Plastic Jug - 1 million years
  • Styrofoam Cup - Unknown? Never?
  • Glass Bottle - Unknown? Never?
Back
Burke's mission is to educate, encourage and empower girls. Our school combines academic excellence with an appreciation for childhood so that students thrive as learners, develop a strong sense of self, contribute to community, and fulfill their potential, now and throughout life.
Burke's admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.