It's Time To Rethink Recycling Plastic
For decades, one of the key ways that Americans have been taught to do our part in helping the environment was by recycling plastic. But, recent data has called into question the effectiveness of our well-meaning endeavors.
What actually happens to all that plastic we’ve been recycling and is worth the effort?
Why do we recycle plastic?
In the 1990’s, the plastic industry began an ad campaign to portray plastic as a valuable resource, filled with potential.
Ads similar to this one from 1990 made claims like, "The bottle may look empty, yet it's anything but trash… It's full of potential. ... We've pioneered the country's largest, most comprehensive plastic recycling program to help plastic fill valuable uses and roles."
Most consumers believed that the commercials were part of an environmental campaign, when in fact they were just a marketing ploy designed to save the faltering plastic industry. Recycling gained popularity as more and more people bought into the idea that they were helping to save the planet.
What happened to all the plastic that was recycled?
Unfortunately, despite the good intentions of consumers, less than 10 percent of plastic has ever been recycled. The rest of it ends up in oceans or buried in landfills.
Why isn’t the plastic actually being recycled?
The simple reason plastic isn’t recycled is because making new plastic is cheaper to do. There are hundreds of kinds of plastic and they can’t be melted together. Picking up, sorting out and melting all the different types of plastic is too expensive to be profitable. Also, because plastic degrades every time it’s reused it can only be recycled once or twice.
New plastic is made from oil and gas. It’s more durable and a lot less expensive than recycling. It makes more economic sense for companies to invest in new plastic.
Because of this, by the mid-90’s, almost all of the feel-good plastic recycling campaigns were closed.
What’s so dangerous about plastic?
Because plastic is so convenient and inexpensive, it’s used in almost every facet of our lives. Unfortunately, there are some major environmental impacts to overuse of plastic.
Plastic is found everywhere: Plastic waste piles up everywhere: parks, streets, oceans, streams. There are even massive floating “garbage patches” swirling slowly in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Because plastic takes up to 1,000 years to decompose, this waste will continue to dirty our landscape and pollute our environment. In fact, at the rate at which plastic is accumulating, it’s predicted that, by 2050 there will be more plastic than fish in the world’s oceans.
Plastics kill wildlife: Ocean animals are vulnerable to becoming entangled in or digesting plastics, both of which are potentially lethal. Even microscopic creatures, which are the basis of the entire marine food web, are in danger of consuming tiny bits of plastic. In fact, there is growing evidence that plastics play a role in rising rates of species extinctions.
What can consumers do to limit plastic waste?
Despite new efforts to improve recycling, the process remains unaffordable for most companies. Therefore, the most effective way to keep plastic out of our landfills and oceans is to find biodegradable alternatives whenever possible.
The Green Education Foundation lists some practical ways to reduce your plastic waste.
Stop using plastic straws, even in restaurants. If a straw is a must, purchase a reusable stainless steel or glass straw
Use a reusable produce bag. A single plastic bag can take 1,000 years to degrade. Purchase or make your own reusable produce bag and be sure to wash them often!
Give up gum. Gum is made of a synthetic rubber, aka plastic.
Buy boxes instead of bottles. Often, products like laundry detergent come in cardboard which is more easily recycled than plastic.
Purchase food, like cereal, pasta, and rice from bulk bins and fill a reusable bag or container. You save money and unnecessary packaging.
Reuse containers for storing leftovers or shopping in bulk.
Use a reusable bottle or mug for your beverages, even when ordering from a to-go shop
Bring your own container for take-out or your restaurant doggy-bag since many restaurants use styrofoam.
Use matches instead of disposable plastic lighters or invest in a refillable metal lighter.
Avoid buying frozen foods because their packaging is mostly plastic. Even those that appear to be cardboard are coated in a thin layer of plastic. Plus you'll be eating fewer processed foods!
Don't use plasticware at home and be sure to request restaurants do not pack them in your take-out box.
Ask your local grocer to take your plastic containers (for berries, tomatoes, etc.) back. If you shop at a farmers market they can refill it for you.
The EPA estimates that 7.6 billion pounds of disposable diapers are discarded in the US each year. Use cloth diapers to reduce your baby's carbon footprint and save money.
Make fresh squeezed juice or eat fruit instead of buying juice in plastic bottles. It's healthier and better for the environment.
Make your own cleaning products that will be less toxic and eliminate the need for multiple plastic bottles of cleaner.
Pack your lunch in reusable containers and bags. Also, opt for fresh fruits and veggies and bulk items instead of products that come in single-serving cups.
Use a razor with replaceable blades instead of a disposable razor