Alexei Volkov
Plastic recycling rates in the US are extremely low, with only 5-6% of plastic waste being recycled in 2021. This is a decrease from the already low rate of 8.7% in 2018. The majority of plastic waste ends up in landfills and is a significant contributor to environmental pollution. Despite the low recycling rates, plastic waste generation has increased over the years, with the US producing 35.7 million tons of plastic waste in 2018 and an estimated 51 million tons in 2021. The recycling symbol on plastic products has been criticised as misleading, as most plastics are not recyclable, and consumers are confused about which types of plastic can be recycled. The US is the world's biggest plastic polluter, and there is a growing recognition that reducing plastic production and consumption is essential to tackling this issue.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recycling rate of PET bottles and jars in 2018 | 29.1% |
| Recycling rate of HDPE natural bottles in 2018 | 29.3% |
| Total amount of plastics combusted in MSW in 2018 | 5.6 million tons |
| Amount of plastic waste that went to landfills in 2021 | 85% |
| Amount of plastic waste that was incinerated in 2021 | 10% |
| Amount of plastic waste generated in the US in 2021 | 40 million tons |
| Amount of plastic waste recycled in the US in 2021 | 2 million tons |
| Plastic recycling rate in the US in 2021 | 5-6% |
| Plastic recycling rate in the US in 2018 | 8.7% |
| Plastic recycling rate in the US in 2014 | 9.5% |
| Plastic recycling rate to be classified as "recyclable" | 30% |
| Plastic recycling rate of PET #1 | 20.9% |
| Plastic recycling rate of HDPE #2 | 10.3% |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic waste exports
Plastic recycling rates in the US are extremely low, with only 5-6% of plastic waste being recycled in 2021. The rest of the plastic waste generated in the US is either sent to landfills (about 85% in 2021), incinerated (10% in 2021), or exported.
The US exported 920 million pounds of scrap plastic in 2023, a decrease of 4.6% compared to 2022. In 2018, the US exported 1.07 million tons of plastic waste, about one-third of its recycling. Until 2017, China was the main destination for US plastic waste exports, but after they imposed a total ban on recovered plastic imports in 2018, the US started directing its plastic waste to other countries, primarily in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, and India. However, these countries have also become overwhelmed by the large amounts of plastic waste they are receiving from developed countries.
The US exports its plastic waste to countries with poor waste management, which lack the infrastructure and regulations to effectively and sustainably sort, process, and recycle plastic waste. This strategy of displacing waste problems onto other countries is not sustainable and can lead to concerning environmental and health risks.
The low level of plastic recycling in the US is attributed to a "decades-long misinformation campaign to perpetuate the myth that plastic is recyclable." Consumers are confused by the recycling logo and assume that when they throw plastic into a recycling bin, it will be recycled, which is often not the case. Additionally, even plastics that make it to recycling facilities aren't all recycled, with 30-36% of PET bottles being wasted during the recycling process.
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Plastic packaging
The recycling rate for plastic packaging in the US has been relatively low. In 2018, the overall recycling rate for plastic was 8.7%, with 3 million tons of plastic recycled out of 35.7 million tons generated. While the recycling rate for specific types of plastic containers, such as PET bottles and jars, was higher at 29.1% in 2018, the overall rate remains low. The low recycling rate for plastic packaging can be attributed to various factors, including consumer confusion, limited recycling infrastructure, and the challenges of recycling certain types of plastics.
Consumer confusion plays a significant role in the low recycling rate. Many consumers assume that putting plastic packaging in their recycling bins means it will be recycled. However, the presence of non-recyclable plastics or contaminated materials can render entire loads unrecyclable, leading to bundling for landfills or incineration. Additionally, the three-arrow recycling symbol is often misleading, as most municipalities only recycle certain types of plastics.
The United States also faces challenges in terms of recycling infrastructure. The country lacks the necessary factories and facilities to recycle all of its plastic waste. This has resulted in a decrease in plastic waste exports, as countries like China have stopped accepting America's waste. Without sufficient domestic recycling capabilities, a significant portion of plastic waste ends up in landfills or is incinerated.
To address the issue of plastic packaging waste, organizations like the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) are working to improve recyclability and promote sustainable packaging solutions. APR offers programs such as the Design® for Recyclability Training Program, which helps companies design more sustainable packaging and achieve their recycling goals. Initiatives like these are crucial in empowering the industry to transition towards more environmentally friendly practices and reduce the environmental impact of plastic packaging.
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Plastic recycling technologies
As a result, the industry is turning to advanced recycling technologies, such as chemical recycling, as an alternative or complement to mechanical recycling. Chemical recycling technologies use heat, chemical reactions, or both, to recycle used plastic into virgin-equivalent plastic, fuel, or other chemicals. There are three general categories of chemical recycling technologies: conversion, decomposition, and purification. Conversion focuses on converting polymers into smaller molecules, which can be achieved through techniques like pyrolysis and gasification. Pyrolysis, or "plastics-to-fuel," involves heating plastic waste to high temperatures in the absence of oxygen, turning it into synthetic crude oil that can be refined into diesel fuel, gasoline, heating oil, or waxes. Decomposition breaks down polymers in sorted plastics into monomers to produce new plastics, and can be done with heat or chemicals. Purification, on the other hand, uses solvents to separate polymers from additives or contaminants without breaking or modifying the polymer.
Recent advances in sorting technology, such as AI-driven systems, are also playing a key role in automating and optimising the recycling process. Super-enzyme-based recycling, for example, has emerged as a promising innovation capable of breaking down PET plastic. Additionally, companies like Denovia Labs are using proprietary depolymerization technology to revert plastics into their original chemical building blocks, allowing for the production of virgin-quality materials.
Other notable advancements in plastic recycling technologies include the work of start-ups such as Aeternal Upcycling, which is combating the plastic waste crisis and reducing the need for fossil fuels; Birch Biosciences, which is developing a new way to recycle plastics using naturally occurring enzymes; and ByFusion, which has created a system that turns 100% of plastic waste into an advanced, cost-effective building material. These innovations are contributing to a more sustainable future and addressing the challenges associated with plastic waste.
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Plastic waste management
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plays a crucial role in plastic waste management. The EPA measures the generation, recycling, composting, combustion with energy recovery, and landfilling of plastic materials in MSW. In 2018, the overall recycling rate for plastics was 8.7%, amounting to 3 million tons. However, it is important to note that the recycling rates vary depending on the specific type of plastic. For example, the recycling rate for PET bottles and jars was 29.1% in 2018, while the rate for HDPE natural bottles was 29.3%.
Despite these efforts, plastic waste continues to be a significant challenge. The low recycling rate for plastics in the US can be attributed to various factors, including low recycling rates, population growth, consumer preference for single-use plastics, and low disposal fees in certain regions. Additionally, there have been concerns about the effectiveness of plastic recycling. A Greenpeace USA report concluded that most plastic simply cannot be recycled, and the recycling rate for post-consumer plastic was estimated to be just 5% to 6% in 2021.
To address these issues, the US has implemented several programs and initiatives domestically and internationally. The National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution, released by the EPA, aims to eliminate plastic pollution released into the environment. The State Department's Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES) collaborates with the EPA to strengthen solid waste management capacity and address land-based sources of ocean plastic pollution with Central American countries and the Dominican Republic. Additionally, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) has implemented programs such as Clean Cities, Blue Ocean, and the Municipal Waste Recycling Program to reduce ocean plastic pollution globally.
The US has also participated in international efforts to combat plastic pollution. The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 5.2) in 2022 provided an opportunity for the US to collaborate with other nations and stakeholders in addressing this global challenge. Furthermore, the State Department has awarded grants to organizations like the Ocean Conservancy and the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) to support their work in combating marine debris and plastic pollution in regions such as the Caribbean and Vietnam.
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Plastic pollution
The primary issue with plastic pollution is the mismanagement of plastic waste, which is particularly prevalent in low-to-middle-income countries. This mismanagement means that plastics are not recycled, incinerated, or kept in sealed landfills, and are instead improperly disposed of, leaking into the environment and oceans. Improving waste management strategies is therefore critical to tackling plastic pollution.
In the United States, the recycling rate for post-consumer plastic was just 5% to 6% in 2021, down from 8.7% in 2018. Of the 40 million tons of plastic waste generated in the United States in 2021, about 38 million tons went to landfills, and 2 million tons were recycled. The low level of plastic recycling in the US is attributed to a "decades-long misinformation campaign to perpetuate the myth that plastic is recyclable," as well as the lack of infrastructure for recycling plastics.
To address plastic pollution, systemic transformation and improved waste management strategies are necessary. This includes reducing the use of single-use plastics, implementing policies to improve waste management, and investing in waste management infrastructure, particularly in low-to-middle-income countries.
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Frequently asked questions
The plastic recycling rate in the USA was around 8.7% in 2018. However, it has decreased since, falling to 5-6% in 2021.
The low level of plastic recycling is partly due to the many different types of plastics that cannot be recycled together. The plastic industry's negative impact on the environment has also been exacerbated by the lack of legal reform.
The low recycling rate means that a significant amount of plastic waste ends up in landfills, water sources, and the environment. In 2021, 85% of plastic waste in the USA went to landfills, and 10% was incinerated.
To improve the plastic recycling rate, new laws are needed to reduce plastic packaging and production. Consumers can also play a role by reducing their plastic consumption and seeking out refillable and reusable containers.
