The decomposition rates of common marine debris items is estimated as follows:
Paper = 2 months
Wood = 2 years
Steel = 50 years
Aluminium = 200 years
Plastic = 450 years
Glass = Infinite years
Paper-based packaging is biodegradable. In the rare case that paper ends up in nature it disappears within months
Paper-based packaging is in many applications the sustainable packaging of choice.
Paper biodegrades quickly and harmlessly, be it in controlled or uncontrolled end of life scenarios.