The Plastic Recycling Myth: What Really Happens To Our Waste?

Plastic is a huge problem for the environment, and despite the fact that many people recycle their plastic waste, very little of it is actually recycled. In fact, in 2021, the recycling rate for post-consumer plastic was just 5% to 6%. The United States, the world's largest plastic polluter, recycles only 5% of its household plastic waste.

The United States recycles 5% of its plastic waste

The United States, the world's largest plastic polluter, recycles only 5% of its plastic waste. This is despite the fact that many people assume that when they put plastic in the recycling bin, it will be recycled. In 2024, CBS called out the plastic industry over the "Fraud of Plastic Recycling", revealing that major petrochemical companies and plastic manufacturers have known for decades that the majority of plastic products cannot be effectively recycled.

The low rate of plastic recycling in the US is due to a number of factors, including low recycling rates, population growth, consumer preference for single-use plastics, and low disposal fees in certain parts of the country.

The situation is slightly better globally, with 9% of plastic waste being recycled worldwide. However, a staggering 91% of plastic waste is still incinerated, landfilled, or mismanaged (e.g. dumped into the ocean).

The recycling system itself is deeply flawed, and there is a growing awareness of the world's plastic waste challenges. It is clear that more needs to be done to address the issue of plastic waste, both in the United States and globally.

91% of plastic waste is incinerated, landfilled or mismanaged

Although many people assume that plastic they put in their recycling bins will be recycled, this is rarely the case. In the United States, only 5% of plastic waste is recycled. Worldwide, the situation is slightly better, but a staggering 91% of plastic waste is still incinerated, landfilled, or mismanaged. This means that plastic waste is dumped into the ocean, for example.

The recycling system is deeply flawed. Despite growing awareness of the world's plastic waste challenges, this awareness is not translating into higher rates of recycling. One reason for this is that the recycling system is not technically or economically viable at scale. Plastic is made from oil and gas, and major petrochemical companies, plastic manufacturers, and members of the American Chemistry Council have long known that the majority of plastic products cannot be effectively recycled.

The United States is the world's largest plastic polluter. In 2021, the recycling rate for post-consumer plastic was just 5% to 6%. The Department of Energy's research paper, which analysed data from 2019, came to the same number: only 5% of plastics are being recycled.

Landfilled plastic waste in the United States has been on the rise for many reasons, including low recycling rates, population growth, consumer preference for single-use plastics, and low disposal fees in certain parts of the country.

The recycling system is flawed

Around the world, the situation is slightly better, but a staggering 91% of plastic waste is still incinerated, landfilled, or mismanaged (e.g. dumped into the ocean). This is because plastic recycling is not technically or economically viable at scale. Major petrochemical companies, plastic manufacturers, and members of the American Chemistry Council have long known that the majority of plastic products cannot be effectively recycled.

The plastic industry has deceptively promoted recycling as a solution to plastic waste management for more than 50 years, despite knowing that it is not a viable option. This has led to a false sense of security for consumers, who assume that when they toss a plastic bottle or cup into the recycling bin, it will be recycled.

To address this issue, we need to move away from single-use plastics and towards more sustainable alternatives. We also need to improve the recycling infrastructure and increase public awareness about the limitations of plastic recycling. Only then can we hope to reduce the staggering amount of plastic waste that is polluting our planet.

Plastic is made from oil and gas

The low rate of plastic recycling is due to a number of factors, including low recycling rates, population growth, consumer preference for single-use plastics, and low disposal fees in certain areas. The recycling system itself is also deeply flawed.

The plastic industry has long been aware that plastic recycling is not technically or economically viable at scale, yet has deceptively promoted recycling as a solution to plastic waste management for more than 50 years. Major petrochemical companies, plastic manufacturers, and members of the American Chemistry Council have known since the 1970s that most plastic products cannot be effectively recycled.

The United States generates about 48 million tons of plastic waste each year, and with only a small percentage of that being recycled, the majority of plastic waste is ending up in landfills or being incinerated. This is a significant environmental issue that needs to be addressed, as plastic is made from oil and gas, and the production and disposal of plastic contribute to climate change and environmental pollution.

The American Chemistry Council knew plastic could not be effectively recycled

The American Chemistry Council knew that plastic could not be effectively recycled. Since the 1970s, major petrochemical companies, plastic manufacturers and members of the American Chemistry Council have been aware that the majority of plastic products could never be effectively recycled. Despite this, the plastic industry has deceptively promoted recycling as a solution to plastic waste management for more than 50 years.

In the United States, the world's largest plastic polluter, only 5% of household plastic waste is recycled. This is due to a number of factors, including low recycling rates, population growth, consumer preference for single-use plastics, and low disposal fees in certain parts of the country.

The situation is slightly better worldwide, but a staggering 91% of plastic waste is still incinerated, landfilled, or mismanaged (e.g. dumped into the ocean). This is despite growing awareness of the world's plastic waste challenges. The recycling system itself is deeply flawed.

One report suggests that only 5-6% of plastic is actually recycled. This is due to the fact that plastic is made from oil and gas, and recycling plastic is not technically or economically viable at scale.

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