Short Wave The Myth of Plastic Recycling
Dec 12, 2022
Laura Sullivan, NPR News investigative correspondent, reveals the surprising truths about plastic recycling. Despite its popularity, she uncovers that less than 6% of plastic is effectively reprocessed, largely due to challenges in sorting and the complex chemistry of plastics. Sullivan highlights the oil and gas industry's role in shaping public perceptions and critiques the misplaced responsibility placed on individuals. Ultimately, she advocates for reusable alternatives as a more effective solution to our environmental challenges.
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Recycling Upbringing
- Laura Sullivan fondly recalls growing up with recycling as a core value, from drawing symbols in kindergarten to participating in contests.
- Recycling was presented as a powerful way to protect the environment, fostering a sense of personal responsibility.
The Reality of Recycling
- Despite decades of promotion, less than 6% of plastic is actually recycled, and this percentage continues to decline.
- The effectiveness of plastic recycling is limited, as plastic can only be recycled once or twice before its chemical structure degrades.
Industry Deception
- The oil and gas industry heavily promoted plastic recycling, shifting the responsibility to the public.
- Internal industry documents reveal they knew plastic recycling was problematic and unlikely to work on a large scale.