Some types of rubbish, such as fruit and vegetable peel, rot away quickly. We say they are biodegradable.
Metals like iron and steel rust. They break into smaller pieces over a long time.
Glass and plastic do not rot. In a landfill, they can stay under the ground for hundreds of years.
Dead animals and plants are food for other living things.
In nature, everything is recycled. Nothing is wasted. Dead plants and animals provide food for living things such as worms, fungi and ting bacteria.
The nutrients (minerals) in rotting plants and animals return to the soil. Here, they help other plants to grow. We sag they fertilise the soil.
Manure helps crops to grow but it can pollute (dirty) rivers.
Many farmers spread animal manure (dung) and plant waste on their fields to fertilise the soil, so their crops grow well. But too much natural waste can cause pollution. If thick, liquid manure, called slurry, gets into ponds and rivers, it can harm water life.
Metal wires and plastics do not rot. They can poison the soil.
Paper, card, cotton, leather and wool are all made from plants or animals. These natural materials rot away. Materials such as metal and plastic do not rot. They remain in a landfill for years and may cause pollution.
Look for minibeasts that feed on waste.
Lift logs and fallen leaves to find the minibeasts that lurk there. Worms, slugs, insects, woodlice and millipedes all feed on plant or animal remains.
These minibeasts help natural waste to decompose (rot). Other minibeasts, such as spiders and centipedes, feed on the decomposers. Always put the log or leaves back gently when you have finished looking at the minibeasts.
Picture Credit : Google