There are so many rumors about what actually happens to our recycling or whether it actually helps the planet, the short answer: yes, it is a very important way to conserve and reuse our resources- however, it is not the end all solution that will save us from our pollution.
I actually worked at a Waste Management Advisory Service for a few months and we got the background on the problems within the waste industry. So often I hear that recycling doesn’t work and in some ways yes it is true, we could be doing more to conserve resources and recycle more but the way our systems are built might not aid us with the necessary tools to do so.
The most effective way to reduce waste, and the most environmentally preferred strategy, is to not create waste in the first place.
Table of Contents
MYTH #1: everything will be recycled & sorted if I throw it into the recycling bin
FALSE!
We put whatever we THINK can be recycled into the bin, ignoring the rules and assuming that they are all going to be recycled. This is called “Wish-cycling” aka putting items we think or hope can be recycled into the bin when in reality it actually causes entire loads of good recyclables to become contaminated trash.
In the US, single- stream recycling is the way we dispose of our recycling, but what is the issue with this?
Single-stream recycling, where all recyclables are placed into the same bin, has made recycling easier for consumers, but results in about one-quarter of the material being contaminated.
The contamination of valuable materials creates more waste, costs more, and causes damage to equipment.
MYTH #2: plastic bags, plastic wrap, styrofoam & straws can all be recycled
All of these items actually cannot be recycled in most curbside recycling bins (even if we wish they could be)! Hence the term “single use”.
Plastic wrap, bags, and straws are usually the culprits that contaminate full loads of recycling and damage equipment, so do not throw these in the recycle bin!
Styrofoam is actually worse than plastic, its non biodegradable meaning it stays in our landfills forever. At least 2.3 million tons of it is dumped in U.S. landfills each year, and only 1 percent of polystyrene waste is currently recycled.
Read more on why styrofoam is horrible for the planet and your health here.
MYTH #3: leave the cap off
Please check with your local recycling provider first, but you should be able to recycle bottle caps if they are attached to the bottle.
5 billion plastic caps from bottles are released to the environment every year in California alone, and bottle caps are the third most common item picked up during California’s annual Coastal Cleanup Day.
– Plastic Pollution Coalition
The Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers now recommends that plastic lids be left on the containers as they are placed in the recycling bins. At facilities with newer processing technology, the bottles (with caps on) will be captured and recycled.
MYTH #4: recycling is a scam
Many are skeptical about recycling due to some reports claiming that garbage collectors are just throwing it in the trash anyway or have even more doubts after the recent China ban.
However, recycling is still a very important way of reducing waste, recovering valuable materials, reducing green house gas emissions and conserve resources.
Recycling just 10 plastic bottles saves enough energy to power a laptop for more than 25 hours
– EPA
MYTH #5: we can recycle our way out of plastic pollution
Each year, the world produces 300 million tons of plastic.Only 9% of all plastic waste ever produced has been recycled.
– UN Environemnt
The vast majority of plastic (79%) is accumulating in landfills while resisting degradation or ends up polluting the worlds natural environment.
If present trends continue, by 2050, there will be 12 billion metric tons of plastic in landfills. That amount is 35,000 times as heavy as the Empire State Building.
MYTH #6: we do most recycling domestically
The Global Waste Trade is the international trade of waste between countries for further treatment, disposal, or recycling. It has created a billion dollar waste industry based on dumping the first worlds waste into developing countries.
While some is handled domestically, most is being shipped off to other countries like Cambodia, Bangladesh, Ghana, Laos, Ethiopia, Kenya and Senegal that have cheap labor and lax environmental rules.
The U.S. still ships over 1 million metric tons a year of plastic waste abroad, often to countries that are already overwhelmed by it.
MYTH #7: landfills are safe for you and the environment
Landfills emit carbon dioxide, methane, volatile organic compounds and other hazardous pollutants into the air, water and soil; this can be harmful to both human health and the environment.
Landfills are the third-largest source of human-related methane emissions in the United States, accounting for approximately 15.1% global emissions in 2018.
Existing regulations under the Clean Air Act require landfills of a certain size to install and operate a landfill gas collection and control system.
CANNOT BE RECYCLED:
- styrofoam
- plastic bags
- old pizza boxes/ takeout food containers
- bubble wrap
- mirrors
- plastic clothing hangers
- paper towels/ napkins / tissues
- paper plates or styrofoam plates
- plastic food wrappers (ex. candy wrappers)
- electronics
- light bulbs
- frozen food boxes and bags (any poly- coated paper products)
SOLUTIONS:
We as a society need to consider whether it’s worth trading off some convenience for a clean, healthy environment.
Check the recycling labels to see if it truly can be recycled. Do not put items in your recycling bin unless you know they are accepted.Non-recyclable items can contaminate a whole load of recyclables, causing them all to be thrown out
Empty, clean and rinse all materials before recycling, and if you cannot recycle at home, look into recycling facilities near you.
Many supermarkets and “big box” stores have recycling bins for the collection of single-use plastic bags.
Create demand for recycled materials and urge companies to implement good CPR missions and stop giving money to companies that don’t
DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN TO LIVE MORE SUSTAINABLY- say no to plastic, eat less meat, thrift clothes, etc.
Sign petitions to help the environment- styrofoam bans, plastic bag bans, straw bans, fast food plastic bans, etc.
Talk to your representatives about introducing waste reducing regulation or a federal recycling program.
Search and get landfills near you to participate in Landfill Gas (LFG) projects to convert LFG to energy.
And last but not least: Use your voice to VOTE for a representative that plans for positive changes in environmental protection and climate policy.
Check out more eco friendly tips every Friday on my Instagram @monicaroams where we can connect easier.
DM me a myth you thought about recycling or something new you found out about it!
SOURCES:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/278738702_Environmental_and_socio-economic_impacts_of_landfills
https://www.epa.gov/trash-free-waters/frequently-asked-questions-about-plastic-recycling-and-composting#bags
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2018/10/5-recycling-myths-busted-plastic/
https://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2020/03/13/fix-recycling-america/
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2017/07/plastic-produced-recycling-waste-ocean-trash-debris-environment/
https://www.epa.gov/recycle/frequent-questions-recycling
https://www.insider.com/things-that-dont-belong-in-recycling-2018-4#clothing-12
https://www.brookings.edu/policy2020/votervital/what-is-the-trump-administrations-track-record-on-the-environment/
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2017/07/plastic-produced-recycling-waste-ocean-trash-debris-environment/
The Global Waste Trade
https://www.epa.gov/lmop/basic-information-about-landfill-gas