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.”
7,646 comments
ClaytonWer
Took a quick scan first and then went back to read properly because the post deserved it, and a stop at pebbleport kept me reading carefully too, the kind of writing that earns a slower second pass rather than getting skimmed and forgotten is something I value highly when I happen to find it.
Emiliobom
Excellent execution from start to finish, the post never loses its rhythm and the points stay sharp, and a quick stop at wardrobewisp kept the same level going, consistency like this across a site is the marker of a serious operation rather than a casual side project running on autopilot somewhere else.
RodrigoMAG
Found this through a friend who recommended it and now I see why, and a look at worvix only strengthened that recommendation in my own mind, word of mouth still works for content that actually delivers and this site is clearly earning recommendations the old fashioned way through quality rather than marketing.
WallacePaina
Now noticing the careful balance the post struck between confidence and humility, and a stop at excelforge maintained the same balance, finding the line between asserting and admitting is hard and this site has clearly developed the calibration to walk that line consistently which produces a more persuasive reading experience for me.
MicahDug
Came here from another site and ended up exploring much further than I planned, and a look at coppervendor only encouraged more exploration, the kind of place where one click leads to another not through manipulative design but through genuinely interesting content is rare and worth highlighting when found like this somewhere on the open internet.
Estevanbef
Came across this and immediately thought of a friend who would enjoy it, and a stop at malwaremart also reminded me of someone, content that triggers the urge to share is content that has earned my recommendation and this site has earned multiple from me already across different conversations during the week.
RoryAdubs
Now adding the homepage to my regular check rotation rather than waiting for individual links to find me, and a stop at velvetvendorstudio confirmed the rotation upgrade, the move from passive discovery to active checking is a vote of confidence in a sites ongoing quality and this site has earned that active engagement clearly.
Randallkic
The depth of coverage felt about right for the format, neither shallow nor overwhelming, and a look at woodlandmarket kept that calibration going, getting the depth right for blog format is genuinely difficult because too shallow loses experts and too deep loses beginners but this site nailed it nicely which I really do appreciate.
HenryTob
Reading this with a notebook open turned out to be the right move, and a stop at ulvika added more material to the notes, content that justifies active note taking from a passive reader is content with real informational density and this site is producing notes worthy material at a high rate consistently.
ForestSax
Well done, the kind of post that makes you slow down and actually read instead of skimming for keywords, and a look at queltaa kept me reading carefully too, that is a sign of writing that has been crafted rather than churned out for an algorithm to see today and tomorrow.
Kerrynoump
Walked away with a clearer head than I had before reading this, and a quick visit to hardwareharbor only sharpened that, the writing has a way of cutting through the noise that surrounds most topics online which is something I will definitely remember the next time I am searching for an answer to anything.
BertRandy
Reading this on a phone at a coffee shop and finding it perfectly suited to that context, and a stop at ivorycrate 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.
MarcFauby
My usual response to new bookmarks is to forget them but this one I have already returned to twice, and a look at opalvendorvault pulled me back a third time, the actual return rate to bookmarked sites is the real measure of value and this one is clearing that measure at a notable rate already.
Robertomor
More substantial than most of what I find searching for this topic online, and a stop at nichepatch kept that quality consistent, this is one of those sites where the writing actually rewards careful reading rather than punishing the patient reader with empty filler stretched out across long paragraphs that say very little.
Ammonhut
Reading this brought back the satisfaction I used to get from blogs ten years ago, and a stop at sagebazaar kept that nostalgic quality alive, sites that capture what was good about an earlier era of internet writing are increasingly precious and this one is doing that without feeling like a deliberate throwback at all.
Emiliohal
Closed it feeling slightly more competent in the topic than I started, and a stop at mirstella reinforced that competence boost, real learning is rare in casual online reading but it does happen sometimes and this site managed to make it happen for me today which is genuinely worth pausing to acknowledge.
Antoniolot
Started believing the writer knew the topic deeply by about the second paragraph, and a look at irisinn reinforced that confidence, the speed at which a writer establishes credibility through their writing is a useful quality signal and this writer establishes it quickly and quietly without resorting to credential dropping or self promotion.
Clarkswisp
After several visits I am now confident this site is one to follow seriously, and a stop at nightaislemarket 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.
Cainwal
Genuine reaction is that this site clicked with how I like to read, and a look at sprucespark kept that comfortable fit going, sometimes you find a place online whose editorial decisions just align with your preferences and when that happens it is worth recognising and supporting through repeat engagement consistently going forward.
Samsonnut
Adding to the bookmarks now before I forget, that is how good this is, and a look at lustervendor confirmed the rest of the site is worth saving too, this is one of those rare finds that justifies the time spent searching the web for once which is a relief in the current environment.
CoreyInign
Really grateful for content like this, it does not waste my time and it does not insult my intelligence either, and a quick look at jasperjunction was the same, balanced respectful writing that makes a person feel welcome rather than rushed through pages of forced engagement just to keep clicking around.
Damiantoumb
If quality blog writing is dying as people sometimes claim then this site is one piece of evidence that it has not died yet, and a look at valleyvendor extended that evidence, the broader cultural question about online writing has empirical answers in specific sites and this one is contributing to a more optimistic answer overall.
CesarRhids
Reading this felt easy in the best way, no friction and no confusion at any point, and a stop at outletoracle carried that same comfort across more pages, the kind of editorial flow that lets you absorb information without fighting the format which is increasingly hard to find on the open web today across topics.
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ShaneEcore
Better signal to noise ratio than most places I check on this kind of topic, and a look at tiderack 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.
Clarencenainc
Solid stuff, the kind of post that I will probably refer back to later this month when the topic comes up again, and a look at lemonvendor only confirmed I should bookmark the site as a whole rather than just this single page for future reference and use across coming weeks.
Jeremyunifs
Liked the natural conversational tone throughout, never stiff and never overly casual either, and a stop at facelessfactory kept that comfortable middle ground going, finding a tone that respects the reader without becoming distant or overly familiar is harder than it sounds and this site nails that balance consistently across many different pieces.
OrlandoGrarT
Good clean post, no errors and no awkward phrasing that breaks the reading flow, and a stop at soapsonder kept the same standard, definitely the kind of editorial care that earns a return visit because it tells me the writer is paying attention to details that matter to readers rather than just rushing publication.
Drewgep
Now appreciating the way the post avoided the temptation to be longer than necessary, and a look at rivervendor continued that lean approach, content with the discipline to stop when finished rather than padding for length is content that respects both itself and its readers and this site has that disciplined editorial culture clearly throughout.
Eanlob
Took a few notes from this post, the points are easy to remember without needing to come back and check, and a look at zarniq 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.
Lylewex
Such writing is increasingly rare and worth supporting through attention, and a stop at seamsaffire extended that supportive attention across more pages, the conscious choice to spend time on sites that produce careful work rather than convenient consumption is itself a small form of patronage and this site is receiving that conscious patronage from me.
BufordBiz
Most blog writing on this subject reaches for the same handful of arguments and this post avoided them, and a look at cartmeadow continued the original treatment, content that finds its own path through territory other writers have flattened is content with real authorial energy and this site has plenty of that distinctive energy.
Horaciomuh
A piece that did not waste any of its substance on sales or promotion, and a look at florafreight continued that pure content focus, sites that resist the urge to monetise every paragraph are increasingly rare and this one has clearly made the editorial choice to keep the writing clean from commercial intrusion which I value highly.
AngeloSem
A small thing but the line spacing and font choices made reading this physically pleasant, and a look at varnelo 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.
RicardoTub
Reading this in a quiet coffee shop matched the calm energy of the writing, and a stop at restandrepair extended that environmental match, content that has its own ambient quality which can match or clash with surroundings is content with a personality and this site has the kind of personality that suits calm reading.
BrendanLisiz
Just one of those reads that left me feeling slightly more capable rather than overwhelmed, and a look at dawnbundle kept that empowering feel going, the difference between content that builds the reader up and content that intimidates them is huge and this site clearly knows which side of that line to stand.
YaleOremn
Reading this in the time it took to drink half a cup of coffee, and a stop at indigovendor 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.
Coentum
I appreciate the clarity here, everything is explained in simple terms without unnecessary detail, and after a quick stop at verdantvendor the points came together nicely for me, the writing keeps things straightforward and respects the reader from start to finish without ever talking down to anyone.
Abelphate
Skipped the comments section but might come back to read it, and a stop at woodbazaar hinted at a quality reader community, sites where the comments are worth reading separately from the post are increasingly rare and signal a particular kind of audience that has grown around the editorial vision over time gradually.
ReeseTep
Pass this along to anyone you know dealing with similar questions, the answers here are clear, and a stop at chromecentral adds even more useful material, this is the kind of resource that deserves to circulate widely rather than getting lost in the constant churn of new content online that buries good work daily.
Patrickzer
Probably the best thing I have read on this topic in the past month, and a stop at zenwharf extended that ranking, the casual ranking of recent reading is informal but real and this site has been winning those rankings for me on this topic specifically over the last several weeks of regular reading sessions.
Ashermix
Now realising the post has been quietly doing important work in my mind for the past hour, and a stop at lahorelabel extended that quiet processing, content that continues to do work after I close the tab is content with afterlife in the mind and this site is producing those long lived effects at a meaningful rate.
AxelChice
Thanks for keeping the writing direct without losing the warmth that makes content feel human, and a stop at nauticalnook 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.
RudyFog
Now appreciating the small but real way this post improved my afternoon, and a stop at fiberfoods extended that small improvement effect, content that produces measurable positive impact on the texture of a reading day is content with real value and this site is producing those small positive impacts at a sustainable rate apparently.
Geneunjuh
After several visits I am now confident this site is one to follow seriously, and a stop at spasummit 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.
Egantox
Reading this in a moment of low energy still kept my attention, and a stop at wishwarehouse continued that engagement under suboptimal conditions, content that survives the reader being tired is content with extra reserves of pull and this site has the kind of writing that holds up even when I am not at my reading best.
Javonspady
Glad I stumbled across this post, the explanations actually make sense without needing background knowledge to follow along, and after a stop at glassaisle the same was true there, no assumptions about the reader just clear writing that anyone can understand from the first line right through to the end.
Donovanevops
My time on this site has now extended past what I had budgeted, and a stop at clickcraftshop keeps extending it further, content that overstays its budget in my schedule is content that has earned the extra time and this site has been earning extra time across multiple visits to the point where my schedule needs adjustment.
Ronjum
Liked the careful selection of which details to include and which to skip, and a stop at lemonmarket reflected the same editorial judgement, knowing what to leave out is just as important as knowing what to include and this site has clearly figured out where that line sits for the topics it covers regularly.
WileyNub
Glad to have another reliable bookmark for this topic, and a look at terracrate suggested several more pages I will be marking too, building a personal library of trustworthy resources is one of the actual rewards of careful browsing and this site is earning a place on my permanent shortlist for the topic.