Only five percent of the material was in the correct condition to be recycled.
Of the 40 million tons of plastic waste generated in the United States last year, only five to six percent—or about two million tons—was recycled, according to a new =”https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5eda91260bbb7e7a4bf528d8/t/62726edceb7cc742d53eb073/1651666652743/The+Real+Truth+about+the+U.S.+Plastic+Recycling+Rate+2021+Facts+and+Figures+_5-4-22.pdf” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>report, conducted by the environmental groups Beyond Plastics and The Last Beach Cleanup. About 85 percent went to landfills, and ten percent was incinerated. The rate of plastic recycling decreased since 2018, when it was at 8.7 percent, per the study.
“The paltry 5-6 percent U.S. plastic recycling rate in 2021 should be a wake-up call to the false promise that plastic recycling is a credible solution to plastic waste and pollution,” the report states. “It’s time to implement real solutions, particularly the reduction of single-use plastic food service items that have the highest likelihood of polluting our environment.”
U.S. plastic waste exports, which are included in recycling rates, decreased from 1.84 million tons in 2017 to 0.61 million tons in 2021 as countries such as China began ceasing to accept America’s waste, per the report. The U.S. doesn’t have the capability to recycle all of its own plastic, Jan Dell, founder of the Last Beach Cleanup, tells the Guardian’s Katharine Gammon.
“We don’t have factories to do it,” she tells the publication. “It’s also very water-intensive, so we’re not going to build more plastic recycling facilities in the U.S.”
But despite a lack of recycling facilities, plastic waste has increased five-fold in the U.S. from 1980 to 2018. In 1980, the U.S. produced 7.4 million tons of plastic waste, and 38 years later, that number grew to 35.7 million tons, per the report.
At its peak in 2014, plastic recycling rates only reached 9.5 percent. Yet the authors write the low level of plastic recycling doesn’t seem to lie in the act of recycling itself, because paper recycling has increased from 21.3 percent in 1980 to 68.2 percent in 2018.
Instead, they blame a “decades-long misinformation campaign to perpetuate the myth that plastic is recyclable.” Additionally, Judith Enck, the president of Beyond Plastics, tells Earther’s Angely Mercado that the three arrow recycling symbol is misleading, because most municipalities recycle only certain types of plastics.
“Consumers are understandably confused,” Enck tells the organization. “They see the recycling logo, so they put the plastic packaging in their recycling bin.”
When residents co-mingle recyclable plastics with non-recyclable plastics, they contaminate loads, which then “usually get bundled for landfills or incineration,” per the study.
Even plastics that do make it to recycling facilities aren't all recycled, the authors report, stating that 30 to 36 percent of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles are wasted during the recycling process.
“We need new laws on the books that reduce the amount of plastic packaging,” Enck tells Earther. “Because these companies are not going to reduce enough on their own, and consumers are left with little choices.”
9,181 comments
HarveyStess
Liked that the post landed without needing to manufacture controversy or take a contrarian stance for attention, and a stop at routehaven continued that grounded approach, content that earns attention through quality rather than provocation is the kind that builds long term trust rather than burning it on quick wins.
RichardKeels
Bookmark earned and the bookmark feels like a permanent addition rather than a maybe, and a look at sagesphere confirmed that permanent status, the difference between durable bookmarks and ephemeral ones is something I have learned to feel quickly and this site triggered the durable feeling almost immediately during my first read here.
Rudybet
Closed the tab with a small sense of finality rather than the usual rushed exit, and a stop at zylavotrustgroup produced the same considered closing, when reading ends with deliberate satisfaction rather than impatient skip you know the time was well spent and this site is producing those satisfying endings consistently across what I read.
ForrestHic
Probably the kind of site that should be more widely read than it appears to be, and a look at blog33as reinforced that quiet wish, the gap between a sites quality and its apparent reach is sometimes large and that gap exists for this site in a way that makes me want to mention it more.
GregNak
Thanks for sharing this with the open internet rather than locking it behind a paywall like so many sites do now, and a stop at blog44box kept the same vibe going, generous helpful and clearly written by someone who actually wants people to learn from it rather than just charge them.
KileJew
Thanks for the clean writing, no broken sentences and no awkward translations like some other sites have, and a quick stop at softtitan kept that polish going nicely, it really does make a difference when a reader can move through a page without tripping on every line or going back to reread.
Horaciotit
Now feeling slightly more optimistic about the state of independent writing online, and a stop at ashenwillowstore extended that quiet optimism, sites like this one are the reason I have not given up on the open web entirely and finding them occasionally renews the case for paying attention to non algorithmic content sources today.
JordanFal
Now planning to come back when I have the right kind of attention to read carefully, and a stop at blog44civil reinforced that plan, choosing the right moment to read certain content is a quiet form of respect for the work and this site is generating those careful planning behaviours from me consistently as a reader.
Scottjough
A piece that respected the reader by not over explaining the obvious, and a look at emberfieldmarket continued that calibrated approach, finding the right level of explanation is one of the harder editorial calls and this site has clearly thought carefully about what readers will already know versus what they need help with consistently.
Paxtonelulp
After several visits I am now confident this site is one to follow seriously, and a stop at quantumqore reinforced that confidence, the gradual building of trust through repeated quality exposures is the only sustainable way to develop reader loyalty and this site is building that loyalty in me through patient consistent work consistently.
chicken-road_odsn
chicken road oficial [url=http://chicken-road59908.shop]http://chicken-road59908.shop[/url]
GrantroW
Yesterday I was complaining about the state of online writing and today this site has temporarily fixed that complaint, and a look at bondtrusty extended that mood reversal, the short term mood improvement that comes from finding good content is real and this site has produced that improvement for me at a useful moment.
DonaldMig
Worth every minute of the time spent reading, and a stop at appavenue extends that value across more pages, in a media environment where most content is engineered to waste attention this site stands out by treating reader time as something valuable rather than something to be exploited and stretched as far as possible.
aviator_kmOr
aviator roulette [url=http://aviator22172.shop]aviator roulette[/url]
EmilioSarry
Felt like the writer was speaking directly to someone with my level of curiosity, neither talking down nor showing off, and a stop at zavirogoods kept that comfortable matching going, finding writing that meets you where you are rather than asking you to climb up or stoop down feels great every time it happens.
KelbyAsces
Reading this in the time it took to drink half a cup of coffee, and a stop at blog33come fit naturally into the second half, content that respects the rhythms of a typical morning is content with practical fit and this site has the kind of length and pacing that works for the way I actually read.
DiegoPat
Now recognising that the post handled the topic with appropriate technical precision without becoming dry, and a stop at blog44hotels continued that balance, technical precision and readability are often in tension and this site has clearly figured out how to maintain both at once which is one of the harder editorial achievements in the form.
BartholomewKah
Looking at this objectively the editorial quality is hard to deny even setting aside personal taste, and a stop at modernonlinepurchase maintained the same objective quality, the gap between what I personally enjoy and what is objectively well crafted exists and this site clears both bars simultaneously which is rarer than it sounds.
Amarifub
Better signal to noise ratio than most places I check on this kind of topic, and a look at questqrypty kept that going, every paragraph here carries something worth reading rather than padding out the page to hit some arbitrary length target that search engines reward but readers ignore as soon as they notice it.
Alanbioth
A welcome reminder that thoughtful writing still happens online, and a look at blog33discover extended that reassurance, the modern web makes it easy to forget that careful writing exists and finding sites that practice it is a small antidote to the cynicism that builds up from too much exposure to algorithmic content.
RaymondPhype
However casually I came to this site I have ended up reading carefully, and a look at intentionalvector continued earning that careful reading, the conversion from casual visitor to careful reader is something content earns rather than demands and this site has accomplished that conversion for me over the course of just a few pieces.
Kelbysat
Got something practical out of this that I can apply later this week, and a stop at blog66east added more details to think about, this is exactly the kind of content I bookmark for future reference rather than the throwaway listicles that dominate most search results these days for almost any common topic.
chicken-road_ioSn
cómo retirar dinero de chicken road [url=https://chicken-road48943.shop/]https://chicken-road48943.shop/[/url]
EmilioPhods
Quietly enthusiastic about this site after the past few hours of reading, and a stop at apextrove extended that enthusiasm, the calibration of enthusiasm to evidence is something I try to maintain and this site has earned a calibrated quiet enthusiasm rather than the loud excitement that usually fades within a day or two of finding something.
BufordCiz
Nice and clean, that is the best way to describe the writing here, no clutter and no wasted words, and a quick visit to cinderlaneemporium kept that going, I appreciate when a site treats its readers like people who can think for themselves without needing constant hand holding through every paragraph.
Wayneemult
Thanks for keeping the writing direct without losing the warmth that makes content feel human, and a stop at alphaarmor carried both qualities forward, balancing professionalism and personality is a rare skill and the writers here have clearly figured out how to consistently land it across many posts which I notice.
KarlDAL
Speaking from the perspective of a fairly demanding reader the writing here clears the bar consistently, and a look at blog44investment continued clearing that bar, the calibration of demanding reader is something I apply to all sources and this site has been one of the few that handles the demanding reading well across pieces sampled.
HoracioDig
Picked up something useful for a side project, and a look at blog33away added another piece I will incorporate, content that connects to specific projects I am working on is content with practical utility and the practical utility of this site is showing up across multiple posts I have read in the last hour or so.
melbet_uwen
мелбет быстрые ставки [url=http://melbet84261.help/]мелбет быстрые ставки[/url]
Stuartneody
A small thing but the line spacing and font choices made reading this physically pleasant, and a look at quirkquill maintained the same careful design, technical choices about typography are part of what makes online reading actually comfortable and this site has clearly invested in the design layer alongside the content layer carefully.
chicken-road_ygSt
chicken road bono bienvenida españa [url=chicken-road59199.shop]chicken-road59199.shop[/url]
WillieVof
During the time spent here I noticed the absence of the usual distractions, and a stop at fluidstack extended that distraction free experience, content that does not fight my attention with pop ups and modals and aggressive prompts is content that respects me and this site has clearly chosen the respectful approach throughout.
888starz_ppSa
Gram tu jakies trzech miesiecy, w sumie najczesciej na telefonie w autobusie, wiec moge cos napisac od siebie. Zapisalem sie przez znajomego, bo szukalem miejsca gdzie jest crash i normalne sloty, a nie kolejnej sieczki z dziesiecioma grami.
Slotow jest naprawde sporo — podobno kolo 5 tysiecy pozycji, choc szczerze i tak siedze na swoich ulubionych. Pragmatic ma tu Sweet Bonanze i Gates of Olympus, jest Book of Dead od Play’n GO, kilka tytulow NetEnt, Yggdrasil, do tego megaways dla chetnych. Live to w wiekszosci Evolution — prawdziwi krupierzy, blackjack i Crazy Time dziala bez zacinki nawet na LTE.
Start wyglada przyzwoicie: 100% do jakichs 1500 zl plus 150 darmowych spinow, czasem lata tez cos bez depozytu na 50 obrotow. Tyle ze obrot — x40 potrafi zjesc caly bonus, za pierwszym razem przepalilem to. Swieze kody promocyjne sa zebrane na [url=https://888starz-opinie.com]888starz kod promocyjny 2026[/url] zanim wplace.
Rejestracja trwa doslownie chwile, minimalna wplata to bodajze 20 zl. Wplacam Skrillem — kasa na e-portfel przyszla w niecale pol godziny, karta troche wolniej, dzien-dwa. Krypto tez jest, choc nie probowalem.
To co mnie denerwuje: KYC. Poprosili o dokumenty przy pierwszym cashoucie i czekalem ze dwa dni. Support odpowiada po polsku ale nie zawsze od razu, licencja to Curacao — kwestia legalnosci w PL to juz wasza dzialka. Aplikacja na iOS chodzi lepiej niz strona, tyle ze trzeba ja sciagac z ich strony. Ogolnie — gram dalej, z umiarem.
Vladimiruteld
The use of plain language without dumbing down the topic was really well done, and a look at blog44unders continued in that same accessible style, this is something many technical writers fail at because they either confuse their readers or condescend to them but here neither problem appears at all which is impressive really.
888starz_tySa
Gram tu od jakichs czterech miesiecy, przewaznie na telefonie w autobusie, wiec moge cos napisac od siebie. Zapisalem sie przez znajomego, bo szukalem czegos z Aviatorem, a nie klona tych wszystkich stron.
Automatow jest duzo — podobno ponad 4 tysiecy pozycji, chociaz szczerze i tak wracam do trzech-czterech tytulach. Pragmatic Play ma tu Gates of Olympus i Sweet Bonanze, jest Play’n GO z Book of Dead, troche tytulow NetEnt, Yggdrasil, no i megaways dla chetnych. Sekcja live stoi na Evolution — zywi krupierzy, Crazy Time chodzi plynnie nawet na slabszym necie.
Powitalny pakiet jest ok: do ok. 1500 zl od pierwszej wplaty plus 150 free spinow, bywa tez cos bez depozytu na 50 obrotow. Tylko uwazajcie na wymagany obrot — 40x to nie jest spacerek, ja za pierwszym razem nie wyrobilem. Biezace oferty zwykle podgladam na [url=https://888starz-opinie.com]888starz скачать[/url] przed rejestracja.
Rejestracja to jakies minute, minimalna wplata jest niska, kolo 20 zl. Robie przelewy karta — kasa na Neteller byla u mnie tego samego dnia, na karte czekalem dwa dni. Jest opcja z krypto, choc nie probowalem.
Co mnie zirytowalo: KYC. Poprosili o dokumenty przy pierwszym cashoucie i czekalem ze dwa dni. Support odpowiada po polsku z lekkim opoznieniem, curacao — wiec podatek i sprawy formalne to juz wasza dzialka. Aplikacja na androida dziala szybciej niz przegladarka, choc nie ma jej w sklepie. Ogolnie — gram dalej, ale bez euforii.
Quinncip
Took a few notes from this post, the points are easy to remember without needing to come back and check, and a look at blog33program added a couple more, the kind of place that sticks in the memory long after the browser tab has been closed for the day which says a lot really.
aviator_dnOr
aviator web login malawi [url=aviator22172.shop]aviator web login malawi[/url]
Rudybet
Reading this in the morning set a good tone for the day, and a quick visit to zylavotrustgroup kept that good tone going, content can do that sometimes when it hits the right notes and finding sites that consistently strike that tone is something I have learned to recognise and reward with regular visits.
mostbet_bjSr
mostbet futbol strategiya [url=www.mostbet73048.shop]mostbet futbol strategiya[/url]
BruceHauby
Now feeling mildly impressed in a way I do not quite remember feeling about a blog in a while, and a stop at trusteddealstore extended that mild impression, content that produces specific positive emotional responses rather than just neutral information transfer is content with extra dimensions and this site has those extra dimensions clearly.
JordanMip
Reading this on a phone at a coffee shop and finding it perfectly suited to that context, and a stop at bosangka continued the comfortable mobile experience, content that works across reading conditions without compromising on substance is increasingly important and this site has clearly thought about the whole reader experience here.
PeteDiopy
Refreshing tone compared to the dry corporate posts on similar topics, and a stop at digitalbuyingzone carried that personality through nicely, you can tell when a real person is behind the writing versus a content team chasing metrics and this site definitely falls into the former category clearly across what I have seen.
DustinNen
Highly recommend to anyone looking for a sensible take on this topic without the usual marketing nonsense, and a look at urbanbuyingstore kept that grounded approach going, sites that stay focused on serving readers rather than monetising every click are rare and this is clearly one of those rare ones I really appreciate finding.
HankGow
A relief to read something where I did not have to fact check every claim mentally, and a look at blog66ago continued that reliable feeling, sites where I can lower my guard and trust the content are rare and this one is earning that trust paragraph by paragraph through consistent careful work behind the scenes.
LanceVog
Now recognising the editorial wisdom of letting some questions remain open at the end, and a look at xeviroshop continued that intellectual honesty, content that does not force closure on contested questions is content that respects the limits of knowledge and this site has clearly developed the maturity to know when to leave space.
Nealrhype
Recommend this to anyone who values clear thinking over flashy presentation, and a stop at blog66chair continued in the same understated way, this site has its priorities in the right place which makes it worth supporting through repeat visits and recommendations rather than just one passing read today before moving on quickly elsewhere.
Billyblook
Для романтического отдыха вдвоем можно выбрать небольшую яхту или катер и отправиться вдоль побережья Сочи. Несколько часов в море легко дополнить ужином, шампанским, музыкой и красивым оформлением. При желании можно пригласить фотографа и сохранить впечатления от вечера: арендовать яхту в Сочи
NoahHit
A clear case of writing that does not try to do too much in one post, and a look at blog66how maintained the same scoped discipline, posts that try to cover too much end up covering nothing well and this site has clearly chosen scope discipline as a core editorial principle which shows up clearly in what I read.
Marvinmut
Worth flagging that the writing rewarded a second read more than I expected, and a look at harborlightmarket produced the same second read benefit, content with hidden depths that emerge only on careful rereading is rare in the modern blog space and this site has clearly invested in that level of compositional density throughout.
Stanglats
Honest reaction is that I want to send this to a friend who would benefit from it, and a look at softmonarch added more material I will pass along too, the impulse to share is the strongest signal I have for content quality and this site is generating that impulse cleanly across multiple posts.