Who Is Buying Recycled Plastic?

Despite the efforts of many to recycle plastic, it is a sad truth that much of it does not actually get recycled. Oil and plastic companies have been accused of using the promise of recycling to sell more plastic, even when they knew it would never work on a large scale. However, there are companies and consumers who are committed to buying recycled plastic and creating a demand for it. This is an important part of recycling and can help to address the problem of plastic pollution.

Demand for recycled plastic is low

Secondly, the plastic industry itself consumes a significant amount of global oil consumption, making it easier for manufacturers to source virgin material rather than recycled. The high cost of recycling technology and the inefficiencies in the supply chain of recycled plastic further discourage its adoption. Additionally, the introduction of cheap "fracked plastic," or polymers derived from fracked resources, poses a challenge to the recycled plastic market by offering an inexpensive alternative.

Another critical factor is the misleading marketing and confusion surrounding plastic recycling. Oil and plastic companies have been accused of touting recycling to increase plastic sales, even when they knew large-scale recycling was unfeasible. This has led to consumer confusion and a lack of trust, with brands and manufacturers needing to rebuild credibility and commit to genuine sustainability.

Furthermore, health concerns regarding the use of recycled plastic, particularly in food-grade packaging, have been raised. Studies have identified hazardous properties in plastic chemicals, leading to adverse health effects. While the risk of acute exposure is considered extremely low, the potential impact on the immune and reproductive systems cannot be overlooked.

Lastly, the sheer volume of plastic production and pollution poses a significant challenge. With over a billion metric tons of plastic created in the last 50 years, the focus should be on reducing plastic production and increasing circularity by keeping products in use for longer and finding ways to reuse and recycle materials.

Plastic is cheap to make and profitable

Plastic is cheap to make and highly profitable. It is so cheap to make because it is derived from oil, which is inexpensive to extract. In addition, the production and distribution systems for oil are already well-established, making it a more attractive option for manufacturers than recycled plastic.

The plastic industry has been aware of the negative public perception of plastic and the potential for this to impact profits. In response, oil and plastic companies have used the promise of recycling to sell more plastic, despite knowing that it would not work on a large scale. This has been effective in confusing consumers and making plastic sales more lucrative.

The process of recycling plastic is more complicated and expensive than producing new plastic. Sorting and separating the different types of plastic is labor-intensive, and different kinds cannot be combined in manufacturing. There are often many additives in plastic products, such as reinforcements, fillers, and colorants, and the recycling companies often do not know the exact composition of the plastic they receive.

Despite the challenges and expenses associated with recycling plastic, some companies are buying and recycling plastic scrap. For example, PlastiCycle buys all forms of post-industrial plastic scrap, including film, parts, bottles, and resin, and recycles all polymer types. However, it is worth noting that they require a minimum of 10,000 lbs of scrap and do not provide residential services.

To address plastic pollution effectively, those who produce plastics need to be held accountable for the damage caused and incentivized to develop better, more recyclable products. This could involve finding sustainable alternatives, increasing the circularity of products, and properly pricing energy to make recycling more attractive to manufacturers.

Oil companies touted recycling to sell more plastic

The oil and gas industry has long been aware that the majority of plastic cannot be recycled. However, this knowledge has not stopped them from spending millions of dollars promoting the idea of recycling to the American public. This joint investigation by NPR and PBS Frontline reveals that the industry sold the public on a false promise of recycling to sell more plastic, even when they knew it was not a viable solution on a large scale.

In the late 1980s, the plastics industry faced increasing criticism due to the growing amount of plastic waste. Their strategy to counter this involved promoting recycling to maintain their profits and prevent plastic bans. They spent tens of millions of dollars on advertising, recycling projects, and public relations campaigns, assuring the public that plastic could and should be recycled.

Industry documents from this time reveal that oil and plastic executives lobbied nearly 40 states to mandate a recycling symbol on all plastic products, regardless of their recyclability. This symbol, intended to be a green" marketing tool, confused consumers and led them to believe that all plastic was recyclable. The reality, however, is that the majority of plastic produced ends up in landfills and the environment, contributing to pollution.

The investigation also highlights the industry's lack of interest in investing in recycling technology. Thomas, a former executive, reflects on how the industry's primary goal was to sell more virgin material, considering recycled plastic as competition. Analysts predict that plastic production will triple by 2050, exacerbating the environmental impact of plastic waste.

While recycling efforts can help address local pollution, they only treat the symptom of a larger problem. To effectively tackle plastic pollution, those who produce plastics must be held accountable for the damage caused, and the world needs to reduce plastic production and develop more sustainable alternatives.

Plastic is harder to sort than ever

Despite the fact that only a fraction of plastic produced is recycled, companies have used the promise of recycling to sell more plastic, even when they knew it would never work on a large scale. In the past, the public has been misled by the plastics industry, which has touted the recyclability of its products to increase sales. For example, in 1993, a report given to top officials at the Society of the Plastics Industry informed them that the recycling code was being misused as a "green" marketing tool, creating unrealistic expectations about how much plastic could be recycled.

However, there are companies that are committed to using recycled plastic. For instance, PlastiCycle buys all forms of post-industrial plastic scrap, including film, parts, bottles, and resin, and recycles all polymer types. Additionally, companies such as Batoko, Buffy, and Green Toys are selling products made from recycled plastic. Batoko, for example, sells bathing suits made from recycled plastic bottles, and its shipping processes are lighter on the environment, as each suit arrives in a paper or recycled plastic mailbag. Green Toys sells toys made from 100% recycled materials, including recycled milk jugs and yogurt containers, and its packaging is made from recyclable cardboard and printed with renewable soy ink.

While it is important to reduce plastic consumption, it is also crucial to support companies that are making products from recycled materials. By increasing the demand for recycled plastic, we can help to complete the recycling circle and encourage more companies to use recycled content in their products.

Consumers are confused about what can be recycled

The reality is that only a fraction of plastic produced is recycled. The rest ends up in landfills, where it takes thousands of years to break down, leaching toxic chemicals into the soil. These toxic chemicals then enter our water systems, and microplastics have now been found in snow and rainfall, the air, and even in human blood and breast milk.

The onus is on companies to develop better, more recyclable products and find sustainable alternatives. However, consumers can also play a role in reducing plastic waste. Buying products made from recycled materials helps to complete the recycling circle and reduce the demand for new raw materials. While it may be challenging to find products made entirely from recycled plastic, many options are available, including clothing, toys, and home goods.

It's important to note that not all recycled products are equal. Some may contain a mix of recycled and virgin plastic, and the quality of recycled plastic can degrade with each recycling cycle. Nonetheless, increasing the demand for recycled plastic is crucial to reducing plastic waste and encouraging companies to invest in sustainable practices.

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