The author argues that we must confront the reality that recycling does not make plastic any less harmful or more sustainable, suggesting a move towards reducing overall plastic production.
Plastic recycling often results in downcycled products that require significant amounts of new plastic to maintain structure, rendering the process largely ineffective.
Despite decades of efforts, the actual recycling rate for plastics remains disastrously low at about 5%, compared to much higher rates for materials like paper.
The toxic components in plastics pose serious health risks, including cancer and endocrine disruption, which are exacerbated by the recycling process.
Key quote:
"Let’s treat plastic like the toxic waste it is and send it where it can hurt people the least."
— Eve O. Schaub, author of “Year of No Garbage: Recycling Lies, Plastic Problems, and One Woman’s Trashy Journey to Zero Waste.”
Revelations by a watchdog group reinforce doubts about chemical recycling, a technology promoted by the city in a collaboration with ExxonMobil and other companies.
Unsure if something can actually be recycled? Putting it in your recycling bin anyway might be worse for the environment than just tossing it in the trash.
