In recent years, several states and cities have banned single-use plastic shopping bags. They help by trying to cut down on plastic waste in the first place. Governments, businesses, and individuals are helping too. For example, some scientists are working on making it easier to recycle the kinds of plastic that usually end up in landfills. and around the world are focused on improving recycling practices. As a result, it is often cheaper and easier for local governments to simply send plastic to landfills or burn it in incinerators. And the machinery at most recycling facilities is not sophisticated enough to process many common plastic items like straws, utensils, and chip bags, even though such products technically are recyclable. Different types of plastic must be sorted, cleaned, and melted down. And many Americans opt for reusable water bottles.īut the truth is that recycling plastic is complicated and expensive. Some restaurants and other businesses no longer offer disposable plastic straws.
Governments, businesses, and individuals are helping too-by trying to cut down on plastic waste in the first place. Some scientists, for example, are working on making it easier to recycle the kinds of plastic that usually end up in landfills. As a result, it’s often cheaper and easier for local governments to simply send plastic to landfills or burn it in incinerators. At the same time, most recycling facilities aren’t sophisticated enough to process many common plastic items, such as straws, utensils, and chip bags, even though such products technically are recyclable. The truth, however, is that recycling plastic is a complicated-and expensive-process.
(That is the latest year for which figures are available.) According to the Environmental Protection Agency, less than 9 percent of plastic waste in the United States was successfully recycled in 2018. There, it can take centuries to decompose. A huge amount of the plastic we think is getting recycled actually ends up in landfills or waterways. Satisfied, you give yourself a mental pat on the back for taking this small but important step to protect the planet. After all, you know plastic waste can be harmful to the environment. You make sure to toss it into a recycling bin instead of the trash. Imagine that you chug down a bottle of water after soccer practice. Plastic manufacturers know that their products will sell better if consumers think they can use them without damaging the planet. So why have we all been taught to recycle yogurt containers, milk jugs, and other plastic items? Experts say the plastics industry has done a great job of promoting recycling as an easy way to help the environment. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, less than 9 percent of plastic waste in the United States was successfully recycled in 2018, the latest year for which figures are available. A huge amount of the plastic we think is getting recycled actually ends up in landfills or waterways, where it can take centuries to decompose. After all, you know how harmful plastic waste can be to the environment. Imagine this: You chug down a bottle of water after soccer practice and make sure to toss it into a recycling bin instead of the trash.