The Epa's Plastic Recycling Efforts: How Effective Are They?

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has estimated that about 9% of all plastic waste was successfully recycled in 2018. However, according to a report by the Last Beach Cleanup and Beyond Plastics, the US plastic recycling rate was only 5-6% in 2021. This number may be even lower as it does not account for plastic waste that was burned. The low recycling rate is due to weak strategic planning, the high cost of collection and transportation, and a shortage of funding. Despite the low recycling rate, addressing plastic pollution is beneficial as it can lead to reduced health impacts, increased recycling rates, reduced consumption, and more.

Plastic recycling rates in the US

The low recycling rates are attributed to the fact that most people throw away plastic items instead of recycling them. For example, the recycling rate of PET bottles and jars was only 29.1% in 2018, despite almost every program accepting them for recycling. Many single-use plastics are not recyclable because they would require chemical recycling, which the US does not have the capacity to do at scale. Additionally, there is little demand for recycled plastics when virgin resins are abundant and inexpensive.

The low recycling rates have significant environmental implications, with un-recycled plastics being landfilled, burned, or ending up in the environment. The plastic industry has been criticized for promoting recycling as a solution to the plastic pollution crisis, when in reality, it has never worked. Critics argue that reducing plastic products at the source through bans on single-use plastics and systematic changes towards refill/reuse systems are needed to address the crisis effectively.

Efforts are being made to improve plastic recycling rates in the US. For example, the EPA has compiled links to resources about plastic waste, including reports, initiatives, research, and recycling grant programs. Additionally, organizations like the Surfrider Foundation advocate for comprehensive policies that holistically address plastic pollution and encourage everyday actions to reduce plastic consumption.

The plastic pollution crisis

Plastic pollution is a pressing environmental issue. Plastics are a rapidly growing segment of municipal solid waste (MSW), with the containers and packaging category containing the most plastic tonnage at over 14.5 million tons in 2018 in the US. This includes bags, sacks, wraps, other packaging, bottles, and jars. The total generation of MSW in 2018 was 292.4 million tons, an increase of 23.7 million tons from 2017. Plastic products generation was 35.7 million tons, or 12.2% of the total MSW generation, in 2018, with an increase of 4.3 million tons from 2010. This increase in plastic waste is concerning as it contributes to the plastic pollution crisis.

The recycling rate of plastic varies depending on the type of plastic and the local recycling programs. In the US in 2018, the total MSW recycled was more than 69 million tons, with paper and paperboard accounting for approximately 67% of that amount. Metals comprised about 13%, while glass, plastic, and wood made up between 4% and 5%. The recycling rate for plastic specifically was only 8.7% in 2018, with three million tons of plastic recycled. This low recycling rate for plastic contributes to the plastic pollution crisis.

To address the plastic pollution crisis, the EPA has released the "National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution," which focuses on actions to eliminate the release of plastic pollution into the environment. The EPA encourages reducing, reusing, and recycling as key to sustainable materials management. Recycling plastic saves energy and reduces the need for virgin materials to be mined, processed, manufactured, and transported. It is important to check with local recycling programs to know what types of plastic they accept and how to properly recycle plastic items.

Additionally, the EPA has published findings on the economic benefits of the recycling industry, which include the creation of jobs, wages, and tax revenues. The ferrous metals industry provides the largest contribution to these economic benefits, followed by construction and demolition, and non-ferrous metals. By promoting and supporting the recycling industry, we can help address the plastic pollution crisis.

Furthermore, it is important to be mindful of the types of plastic we use and to choose recyclable or compostable options whenever possible. Biobased plastics, for example, are manufactured from plant materials instead of oil or natural gas, and some forms can be recycled or composted. However, it is important to read the product's label to determine its compostability and recyclability, as not all biobased plastics are compatible with petroleum-based plastics in the recycling process. By making conscious choices and properly disposing of plastic waste, we can all play a part in mitigating the plastic pollution crisis.

Plastic waste management challenges

Plastic waste management is a challenging task due to several factors. Firstly, the infrastructure for solid waste management has failed to keep up with the increasing production and usage of single-use plastic products. This has resulted in limited waste collection, treatment, and disposal options for localities, as well as a lack of effective reuse systems. As a result, some residents resort to illegal dumping or burning of their waste, which can have negative environmental and health consequences.

Another challenge is the high cost of transportation for solid waste management providers and customers, especially in small jurisdictions with low recycling rates. The cost of collection is also a significant barrier, as mentioned in a review of global Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies, which aim to increase recycling and reduce plastic waste generation. EPR laws increase producers' liability by applying fees and taxes based on product recyclability and volume generation. However, this can also lead to increased costs for producers and consumers.

Weak strategic planning and a shortage of funding are additional obstacles. Localities may struggle to purchase or maintain large-scale, locally appropriate technology to prevent plastics from entering waterways due to a lack of funding. This is a key challenge, especially for developing countries. Furthermore, plastic waste management is complicated by the variety of plastic types and their inconsistent feedstock properties, making sortation complex. Unknown contamination in recycled plastic also poses safety concerns.

Despite these challenges, there are some positive trends. For example, the recycling rate for corrugated boxes increased from 67.3% in 2000 to 96.5% in 2018, while Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) bottles improved from 22.1% in 2000 to 29.1% in 2018. However, plastic bags, sacks, and wraps still have a relatively low recycling rate of 10% in 2018, with the majority being landfilled or combusted with energy recovery. Overall, the recycling rate for municipal solid waste plastic in the USA was 8.66% in 2018, with 75.9% being landfilled.

EPA's Facts and Figures report

The EPA's Facts and Figures report is a comprehensive analysis of recycling rates and waste management in the United States. The report, which is released periodically, provides valuable insights into the state of recycling and serves as a benchmark for measuring progress. The latest edition of the report, released in 2020, covers data from 2018 and highlights some concerning trends in plastic recycling.

According to the report, the US plastic recycling rate has been declining. The 2018 recycling rate for plastic waste was estimated at 9% by the EPA, which is significantly lower than the peak of 9.5% in 2014. This means that a large portion of plastic waste is not being recycled and is instead ending up in landfills, being burned, or polluting the environment. The report also notes that the actual recycling rate may be even lower when accounting for plastic waste that is collected for recycling but ultimately disposed of through methods like incineration.

The low recycling rate for plastics is concerning, especially considering the environmental and community impacts of plastic pollution. Single-use plastics and the challenges of recycling plastic products contribute significantly to this issue. Additionally, the report highlights the disparities in recycling rates across different materials. For example, the recycling rate for PET bottles and jars was 29.1% in 2018, while the Aluminum Association reported a consumer recycling rate for aluminum cans of 46.1% in 2019.

The EPA's Facts and Figures report is essential for informing policy decisions and driving systemic changes to improve recycling rates and reduce plastic pollution. It is worth noting that the report has faced some criticism regarding the accuracy of its recycling rate statistics, particularly for paper recycling. Nevertheless, the report remains a valuable tool for understanding the challenges and progress in waste management and recycling in the United States.

Plastic recycling education

Plastic recycling is an important aspect of waste management and environmental conservation. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides valuable insights and resources to promote proper plastic recycling practices. Here is an overview of plastic recycling education, focusing on the EPA's data and initiatives.

Plastic Waste Generation

According to the EPA, plastic products generation in the United States was significant in 2018, amounting to 35.7 million tons, or 12.2% of total municipal solid waste (MSW) generation. This marked an increase from 8.2% in 1990 to 12.2% in 2018, indicating a growing presence of plastics in our waste stream.

Plastic Recycling Rates

While the total amount of recycled plastics is relatively small, the EPA reported an 8.7% plastic recycling rate in 2018, equating to about three million tons. This rate varies depending on the specific type of plastic container, with some types having higher recycling rates than others. For example, Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) bottles had a recycling rate of 29.1% in 2018, an improvement from 22.1% in 2000.

The Importance of Recycling

Recycling plastics and other materials offers multiple benefits. Firstly, it saves energy by reducing the need to extract and process virgin materials. Secondly, recycling helps decrease the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators, contributing to a more sustainable environment. Additionally, the recycling industry has economic advantages, creating jobs, generating wages, and contributing to tax revenues.

Proper Plastic Recycling

The EPA provides guidance on how to recycle common plastics properly. It is essential to check with local recycling programs to understand the specific types of plastic they accept. Some plastics, such as compostable plastics, may require special handling or drop-off locations. Retail and grocery stores often accept plastic bags and wraps for recycling, and certain items like plastic caps and labels can usually be left on bottles. However, items with food debris and plastic utensils are generally not recyclable.

EPA Initiatives

The EPA has released the "National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution," focusing on eliminating plastic pollution in the environment. They also promote initiatives like America Recycles Day, encouraging Americans to recycle correctly and reduce waste throughout the year. Additionally, the EPA provides resources like the iWARM tool, which calculates the energy savings and greenhouse gas reductions achieved through recycling.

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