Plastic Recycling Illusion: Only 5% Recycled, Rates Declining Amid Crisis
Summary
Despite public perception, a shocking reality emerges: a mere 5% of plastic waste is truly recycled, with no type meeting industry standards for 'recyclability,' and rates declining amid surging production, fueling an escalating plastic crisis.
Key Points
- Most plastic that people put into recycling bins ends up in landfills, with only around 5% actually being recycled into new products
- No type of plastic meets the 30% recycling rate threshold to be considered 'recyclable' according to industry standards
- Despite public perception, plastic recycling rates are declining as production ramps up, exacerbating the plastic waste crisis