The Reality Of Plastic Recycling: Are We Doing Enough?

Plastic pollution is a pressing global issue. In 2017, the U.S. produced nearly 35.4 million tons of plastic, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Despite recycling efforts, only a small percentage of plastic is actually recycled. In fact, an estimated 91% of plastic doesn't get recycled and ends up in landfills, breaking down into microplastics. This has led to growing concerns about the environmental impact of plastic waste, with scientists conducting the world's first tally of plastic production, disposal, and recycling rates.

The US is behind Europe and China in recycling rates

The US has made little progress in recent years, with recycling rates remaining at 9% since 2012. In contrast, Europe and China have been actively working to increase their recycling rates. For example, China has implemented a number of policies and initiatives to reduce plastic waste and encourage recycling.

One reason for the low recycling rate in the US is the changing regulations in recent years, which have stalled the process. Additionally, the US has a large amount of plastic waste, with a significant portion of it ending up in landfills. It is estimated that by 2050, approximately 12 billion metric tons of plastic will be sitting in landfills across the globe, with a significant portion of it coming from the US.

The US also lags behind Europe and China in terms of public awareness and education about recycling. In Europe and China, there is a greater emphasis on the importance of recycling and the environmental benefits it brings. As a result, individuals in these countries are more likely to recycle and reduce their plastic waste.

To improve its recycling rates, the US needs to address the underlying issues that are hindering the process. This includes implementing consistent regulations, increasing public awareness, and encouraging the use of alternative materials or phasing out problematic products. By learning from the successes of Europe and China, the US can work towards reducing its plastic waste and improving its recycling rates.

Plastic is unlikely to be recycled into new products

The mass production of plastics, which began just six decades ago, has accelerated rapidly, creating 8.3 billion metric tons of mostly disposable products that become trash. By 2050, it is estimated that approximately 12 billion metric tons of plastic will be sitting in landfills globally.

Recycling regulations have also stalled the process in recent years, making it almost impossible to recycle certain materials, including plastic. This is evident in the U.S., where recycling has remained at 9% since 2012, lagging behind Europe (30%) and China (25%).

The low recycling rate of plastic highlights the need to consider alternative materials or phase out certain products that are particularly harmful to the environment.

Plastic is piling up in landfills

The U.S. ranks behind Europe and China in recycling. In 2018, Great Britain's Royal Statistical Society named the fact that only about nine percent of all plastic ever made has likely been recycled as its statistic of the year. The mass production of plastics has accelerated so rapidly that it has created 8.3 billion metric tons, most of which end up as trash.

Recycling is unlikely to give plastic to-go containers new life, according to John Hocevar, a marine biologist with Greenpeace USA. Regulations have also stalled the process in recent years, making it almost grind to a halt.

Metal is easier to recycle than plastic

It is estimated that only around 9% of plastic is recycled, with the remaining 91% sitting in landfills. This is because recycling plastic is an extremely difficult process. Metal, on the other hand, fares a little better than plastic in terms of recycling. In 2019, around 69% of the crude steel used in the U.S. was made from recycled material. Worldwide, the number was around 32%, which still equated to approximately 490.98 million metric tons of recycled steel. This is because metal is easier to recycle than plastic. Metal can be melted down and reused multiple times without losing its strength or durability. Plastic, on the other hand, is more difficult to recycle because it is often made from a mixture of different types of plastic, which can be challenging to separate and process. Additionally, plastic is often contaminated with food or other materials, which can make it unsuitable for recycling.

Plastic production has accelerated rapidly

In 2018, Great Britain's Royal Statistical Society named the fact that only about nine percent of all plastic ever made has likely been recycled its statistic of the year. This means that 91% of plastic does not get recycled and sits in landfills, breaking down slowly into microplastics. By 2050, approximately 12 billion metric tons of plastic will be sitting in landfills across the globe.

Recycling in the U.S. has remained at nine percent since 2012. The U.S. ranks behind Europe (30%) and China (25%) in recycling. Metal fares better than plastic in terms of recycling. In 2019, around 69% of the crude steel used in the U.S. was made from recycled material. Worldwide, the number was around 32%, equating to approximately 490.98 million metric tons of recycled steel.

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