The Reality Of Annual Plastic Recycling Efforts

Plastic pollution is a pressing issue, with humans producing more than 141 million tons of plastic packaging every year. While efforts to curb plastic pollution are growing, recycling practices are falling short. In the United States, only about 5% to 8.7% of plastics were recycled in 2018, with rates dropping to around 5% in 2021. This article will explore the topic of plastic recycling, including the challenges and opportunities for improvement.

In 2018, the US recycled 8.7% of plastic, equating to three million tons

The recycling rate for PET bottles and jars was 29.1% in 2018, and the rate for HDPE natural bottles was 29.3%. However, overall, the US's plastic recycling rate is low, with some sources stating that it is as little as 5% to 6%.

The low recycling rate is due in part to a shortage of the costly infrastructure that's required. Kate Bailey, chief policy officer with the Association of Plastic Recyclers, says that the further you get from large cities, the less recycling there is, because rural areas can't afford it.

Despite efforts by consumers, brands, and governments to curb and reduce plastic pollution, existing recycling practices are falling short. We need to take this more seriously to move towards a circular economy.

In 2021, the US plastic recycling rate dropped to 5%

The low recycling rate in the US is partly due to a shortage of the costly infrastructure required for recycling. Rural areas, in particular, lack the necessary infrastructure as they cannot afford it. This has led to a situation where the further you get from large cities, the less recycling there is.

The pandemic may also have contributed to the decline in recycling rates, as plastic pollution increased during this time. However, this should not be used as an excuse, as most reports reveal that recycling rates have largely plateaued in recent years, while plastic production has continued to increase.

The failure of plastic recycling is in contrast to the recycling of other materials such as paper, which is recycled at a much higher rate of 66%. This shows that recycling can be effective in reclaiming valuable natural resources. However, the vast majority of "recycling" for plastic involves grinding it up, melting it down, and reforming it, which is not ideal.

In 2018, the recycling rate of PET bottles and jars was 29.1%

In the United States, only about 5% to 6% of plastics are recycled annually. This is a paltry rate, especially when compared to the recycling rate of PET bottles and jars. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that the plastic recycling rate in the United States was 8.7% in 2018. This is a small increase from the 3 million tons recycled in 2018 for an 8.7% recycling rate.

The recycling rate of HDPE natural bottles was slightly higher at 29.3% in 2018. In the same year, landfills received 27 million tons of plastic, which accounted for 18.5% of all MSW landfilled.

Despite efforts by consumers, brands, and governments to curb and reduce plastic pollution, existing recycling practices are falling short. There is a need to take this more seriously and move towards a circular economy.

In 2018, the recycling rate of HDPE natural bottles was 29.3%

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the plastic recycling rate in the United States was 8.7% in 2018. This is a small increase from the 5% to 6% recycling rate in previous years. However, an NGO report claimed that in 2021, this had dropped to around 5%, possibly due to the global pandemic.

The recycling rate of specific types of plastic containers, such as PET bottles and jars, can be more significant. In 2018, the recycling rate of PET bottles and jars was 29.1%.

Despite efforts by consumers, brands, and governments to curb and reduce plastic pollution, existing recycling practices are falling short. The biggest problem is the shortage of costly infrastructure required for recycling, especially in rural areas. Increasing the recycling rate should decrease the demand for virgin polymers and help reduce plastic pollution.

Humans produce more than 141 million tons of plastic packaging every year

The low recycling rates are due in part to a shortage of the costly infrastructure that is required. Kate Bailey, chief policy officer with the Association of Plastic Recyclers, says that the further you get from large cities, the less recycling there is, because rural areas can't afford it. Increasing recycling rates should decrease the demand for virgin polymers.

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