Chloe Zhang
Despite the ubiquitous presence of recycling symbols on plastic products, the vast majority of plastic is not recycled. In the US, only about 5-6% of the 48 million tons of plastic waste generated annually is recycled, with the rest ending up in landfills or being burned. This issue is not unique to the US, as Greenpeace found that globally, 85% of plastic packaging ends up in landfills. The plastic industry has long promoted recycling as a solution to plastic waste, but internal documents reveal that they knew plastic recycling was not technically or economically viable at scale. The recycling symbols, also known as chasing arrows, were introduced in the 1970s and 1980s to alleviate concerns about plastic waste and to convince consumers to continue using plastic products. While some types of plastic, such as PET, are more recyclable than others, the overall recycling rates for plastic remain extremely low.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of recyclable plastic that is actually recycled | 5-9% |
| Percentage of plastic bottles collected for recycling that were turned into new things | 21% |
| Percentage of plastic bottles recycled in Maine and Oregon | 80% |
| Percentage of plastic bottles recycled in some Southern states | Single digits |
| National average for plastic bottle recycling | 30% |
| Number of times plastic can be recycled | Limited due to defects and contaminants |
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What You'll Learn
The majority of plastic is not recycled
Plastic is everywhere, and it is cheap to make and highly profitable. However, the majority of plastic is not recycled, despite what people may believe. This is due to a variety of reasons, including the fact that plastic is not designed to be recycled and that the recycling process is often costly and time-consuming. For instance, mechanical recycling requires proper sorting and cleaning of materials, which can be challenging and expensive. Additionally, many types of plastic cannot be recycled more than once without acquiring defects and contaminants.
The recycling symbols that we see on plastic products are often misleading. These symbols, known as "chasing arrows," were introduced in the 1970s and 1980s to convince consumers that plastic waste was not an issue because it could be recycled. However, the reality is that most plastics are not recycled, and the recycling process may not be technically or economically viable at scale. In fact, according to the Department of Energy, only about 5 to 6% of plastic waste in the US is recycled each year, with the rest ending up in landfills or being burned.
The plastic industry has long understood that recycling plastic is not a viable solution to the waste problem. Despite this knowledge, they have continued to promote recycling as a way to boost plastic sales and maintain their profits. This strategy, known as "greenwashing," involves overselling the environmental benefits of a product or activity. For example, the American Chemistry Council (ACC), which supports the plastic industry, admits that 90% of plastics are not recycled.
Furthermore, the production of plastic is expected to triple by 2050, which will only exacerbate the problem. While some companies have made promises to promote recycling and include more recycled plastic in their products, these commitments have largely been broken. The plastic lobby has also opposed deposit return schemes for plastic bottles, hindering progress in reducing plastic waste.
It is important to note that even when plastic is recycled, it is often downcycled, meaning it is turned into lower-quality plastic products. Additionally, some plastics, such as PVC, cannot be recycled at all and break down into toxic components. While more sustainable alternatives like PHA exist, they currently face challenges in terms of production and may not be less toxic than conventional plastics.
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Plastic is not designed to be recycled
The numbers and chasing arrows imprinted on plastic items are often misinterpreted as indicators of recyclability. In reality, these codes only indicate the type of plastic and the resin used. Lower resin codes are generally more likely to be recycled, and plastics marked with numbers 1 and 2 are more likely to be downcycled into lower-quality plastic products. For example, number 1 plastic, or PET, might be recycled into fleece jackets and carpeting. However, even the most recyclable plastics, such as PET bottles, are not widely recycled, with a national average recycling rate of only 30% in the United States.
The process of recycling plastic is time-intensive and expensive, requiring proper sorting and cleaning. Mechanical recycling involves washing, grinding, and melting plastic, while chemical recycling breaks down plastic into monomers to form new polymers. However, many types of plastic cannot be recycled more than once without acquiring defects and contaminants, and recycled materials often contain unwanted toxins. Additionally, certain types of plastic, such as PVC, cannot be recycled at all and break down into toxic chlorine-containing components.
The plastic industry has long known that plastic recycling is not economically or practically viable. Despite this knowledge, companies have promoted recycling and used greenwashing strategies to create a false sense of environmental responsibility. For instance, the Society of the Plastics Industry established the Plastics Recycling Foundation in 1984 and introduced the chasing arrows symbol in 1988, even though industry leaders acknowledged that recycling was not a permanent solution to the solid waste problem.
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Plastic recycling is technically challenging and costly
Plastic recycling is a complex and expensive process, and the reality is that most plastic items collected for recycling are not actually recycled. While mechanical recycling involves properly sorting and cleaning materials, it is time-intensive and costly. Furthermore, many types of plastic cannot be recycled more than once without acquiring defects and contaminants. Local policies play a significant role in encouraging recycling, with states like Maine and Oregon investing in recycling programs and achieving higher recycling rates for PET bottles.
The challenges of plastic recycling are exacerbated by the fact that plastic is not designed to be recycled in the first place. The recycling symbols and numbers on plastic items give the public a false sense of recyclability. In reality, these codes indicate the type of plastic rather than its potential to be recycled. For example, plastics marked with numbers 1 and 2, which include PET and HDPE respectively, are more likely to be downcycled into lower-quality plastic products.
Additionally, the production of more sustainable plastics faces its own set of difficulties. While biodegradable and compostable plastics are available, they often require industrial reactors to break down and are not necessarily less toxic than conventional plastics. This means that even when recycled, plastic waste can still have negative environmental and health impacts.
The plastic recycling landscape is further complicated by the involvement of the global waste industry, which includes a network of businesses, governments, and individuals vying for a share of the lucrative waste market. This trash trade has grown alongside plastics production and per capita waste generation, yet actual plastic recycling makes up a very small portion of the market.
To address the challenges of plastic recycling, it is crucial to recognize that recycling alone cannot solve the plastic waste crisis. Instead, a multi-pronged approach is necessary, including reducing plastic production and usage, improving product design for recyclability, investing in recycling infrastructure, and implementing effective policies to encourage recycling and reduce plastic waste.
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Plastic recycling is not economically viable at scale
The oil and gas industry has long been aware of the limitations of plastic recycling, as evidenced by an industry insider's statement from 1974: "There is serious doubt that [recycling plastic] can ever be made viable on an economic basis." Despite this knowledge, the industry spent millions promoting recycling to the public, using it as a selling point for plastic products. This strategy, known as "greenwashing," has been criticized as misleading and detrimental to environmental efforts.
The process of recycling plastic is complex and costly. It involves sorting, cleaning, and reprocessing materials, which can be time-intensive and expensive. Additionally, many types of plastic cannot be recycled more than once without acquiring defects and contaminants, further limiting the viability of plastic recycling at scale. The infrastructure and technology required for large-scale plastic recycling are also lacking, with most initiatives failing to get off the ground despite significant publicity.
The economics of recycled plastics compared to virgin resins also pose a challenge. Recycled plastics often have higher costs and lower value-creation potential, making them less attractive to investors. The current fragmentation of the value chain and regional waste-management systems further hinder progress toward a circular economy for plastics.
Furthermore, the production and use of plastics are fueled by their cost-effectiveness in meeting consumer demands, especially in packaging. Plastics have strong growth trajectories, averaging 6% per year since 1965, outpacing society's ability to manage waste volumes. This dynamic makes it challenging to implement economically viable ways to reuse and recycle plastics.
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Plastic recycling is a public relations strategy for the industry
The plastic industry has been accused of engaging in "greenwashing," a tactic where corporations claim that their products or activities are environmentally friendly without providing substantive evidence. This misleading practice creates a false impression of sustainability. For instance, despite the presence of chasing arrows, most plastic items are not actually recycled and are instead sent to landfills. Even when recycling does occur, it often results in downcycling, where lower-quality plastic products are created, such as turning plastic bottles into fleece jackets or carpeting.
The reality is that plastic is challenging to recycle effectively. Mechanical recycling requires proper sorting and cleaning, which can be time-intensive and costly. Furthermore, many types of plastic cannot be recycled more than once without acquiring defects and contaminants. Local policies can significantly impact recycling rates, as seen in states like Maine and Oregon, which have achieved higher recycling rates for PET bottles. However, the national average for recycling PET materials is only 30%, and the overall recycling rate for plastic is even lower, with Greenpeace reporting that only around 5% of plastic is turned into new products.
The plastic industry's response to this crisis has been criticized as inadequate. Despite plans to recycle every piece of plastic they produce by 2040, industry officials have been unable to explain how they intend to achieve this goal. The industry's focus on recycling as a solution allows them to avoid addressing the core issue of excessive plastic production, which is set to triple by 2050. This overproduction, coupled with the challenges of recycling, has led to a growing plastic pollution crisis. To address this crisis effectively, a reduction in plastic usage and a shift towards reusable alternatives are necessary.
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Frequently asked questions
Only 5-6% of plastic produced each year is recycled. This number is different from the percentage of plastic that people put in their recycling bins, which is much higher.
Plastic is made from thousands of varieties of oil and gas, most of which cannot be recycled together. Plastic is also not designed to be recycled, as it can only be recycled a few times before it becomes trash.
New universal plastic regulations are being negotiated as part of a global plastics treaty. This aims to streamline the production, use, and reuse of plastic using a circular economy model. Additionally, phasing out fossil fuel subsidies would make recycled plastic more competitive with virgin plastic.
