Page 35 - Plastics News February 2020
P. 35

FeAtures



          New Report Shows Many Plastics Aren't Actually Recyclable


          While Greenpeace report says that many plastics are not actually recyclable despite companies claiming of
          single-use plastic items being recyclable,  a recent Indian study vouches for prevailing consumers confusion
          over single-use plastic


             merican  recycling  facilities  can  only  recycle  a   bottles and jugs are made of the two kinds of plastics
          Ahandful of the types of plastic being sent their way.   that are most often accepted, even those products are
          That means many plastic products that Americans are   often covered in shrink-wrap labels that make those
          tossing into recycling bins aren’t actually being recycled,   products non-recyclable by most facilities as well.The
          according to a Greenpeace report  published It’s the   report says that since companies are “expanding the use
          latest sign our recycling system is broken.          of ‘recyclable’ labels on plastic products at an aggressive
                                                               pace” in response to growing public concern about plastic
          Many people Many people think of plastics as one
          category of recyclables, but there are actually seven   pollution, this is the time to ensure that labels only go on
          different types labeled by handy numbers, each with its   products that can actually be recycled by most facilities.
          own process to be recycled. Researchers surveyed 357   But  Greenpeace  found  that  numerous  major  U.S.
          of recycling facilities across the nation and found most   companies,  such  as Target,  Nestlé,  Danone,  Walmart,
          of them accept types #1 and #2, which is what bottles   and Aldi,  have  placed  recyclable  labels  on  products
                                                               that most facilities can’t accept. While there are some
                                                               changes afoot to address this glaring issue, Greenpeace
                                                               said that that it will file complaints with the Federal
                                                               Trade Commission against companies that do not make
                                                               changes to recycling labels.

                                                               “Our recycling system is in real trouble right now, and
                                                               one of the big reasons is that it is being overwhelmed
                                                               by enormous amounts of low value on non-recyclable
                                                               plastic,” said Hocevar. “It all goes into the same system,
                                                               so it’s driving down the efficiency and cost effectiveness
                                                               of recycling, in general. We really want to be able to have
                                                               a reality-based conversation with corporate executives
                                                               and policymakers about the need to move away from
          and jugs are most commonly made of. But the other five   throw-away single use materials, plastic especially, but
          types are less commonly accepted.
                                                               as long as they are pretending that all plastic packaging
          The  findings  show  14  percent  of  the  facilities  accept   is recyclable, it’s difficult to get from where we are now
          plastic  clamshell  food  containers,  11  percent  accept   to the solutions we need.”
          plastic cups, 4 percent accept plastic bags and 1 percent   Some of those solutions, Hocevar said, are encompassed
          accept plastic cutlery, straws, and stirrers. Single-  by a federal bill introduced on Capitol Hill last week.
          use culture means these things are being produced in   That bill would ban some kinds of plastics, put a pause
          greater quantities. And while they may well say they’re   of up to three years on permitting new plastic production
          recyclable, the reality is far different in many places.
                                                               facilities,  and  require  big  corporations  to  design,
          “That means that in most households, you can’t send   manage, and pay for recycling programs. That could help
          those to a facility that will recycle them,” says John   head off the plastic production boom the U.S. oil and gas
          Hocevar, who led the report for Greenpeace . “So they’re   industry is planning over the next five years, which could
          going to end up in the landfill or incinerator, or just go   further worsen the problem by flooding the market with
          straight into the environment”, he adds Further, though   new plastic. But more honest labeling is also another



                                                                                 35  Februar y 2020     Plastics News
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