Make Recycling Easier to Understand for a Cleaner Future
In many ways, America's knowledge of recycling systems is in the dumpster. But new technologies allow us to improve both people’s awareness and effectiveness when it comes to recycling.
According to the EPA, our recycling rate is only 32 percent. One major problem is that people aren’t sure what belongs in the bin — notably with plastic.
Plastic products are marked with the “chasing arrows” recycling symbol and a number to denote the kind of plastic resin. But guess what? This doesn’t actually mean it’s recyclable.
The number system might as well be Greek to most Americans. Plastics that can be easily recycled (numbers 1 and 2 — water or milk bottles) are too often mixed in with products that generally are not recycled (such as number 6, which includes products like foam take-out containers).
Putting the wrong thing in the bin can lead to major problems at recycling facilities. Bags or wires can jam up sorting machines. Workers struggle to sift through single-sort bins to pull out items that were improperly tossed in the recycling bin including old computers and car batteries.
The results of this confusing system have left some environmentalists arguing we should declare defeat and tackle the issue by banning or restricting the use of plastic. That approach would be a classic example of creating unintended consequences.
Many plastic items are essential to Americans. Some products are easily recyclable while sporting a high societal value including plastic water bottles regularly distributed after natural disasters. But many products that are equally important like latex gloves or facemasks, are not easily recyclable.
For years, that has been the status quo: We grudgingly put many things into a landfill that, in theory, we could recycle with the right infrastructure or technology.
Chemical recycling offers a breakthrough.
Chemical recycling is the process of breaking down a plastic, typically using heat or chemical reactions, and turning it into raw materials to make new plastic or other products. The process can take as little as 25 minutes. It’s already being used in the U.S. to make fuel. Those who speak negatively of “single-use” plastics need to refine the message for those products that do get recycled into other multiple uses.
But now with chemical recycling, all plastics can be recycled including bags, wrappers, and more. Chemical recycling “has the potential to produce a very high quality recycled plastic, which can be indistinguishable from new plastic,” according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), a nonpartisan agency that reviews legislation and provides research on issues that may help improve government and save taxpayers money.
The positive impact of chemical recycling could be significant. Landfills will receive less plastic, sorting issues at recycling centers will dissipate, and the higher quality end-product from chemical recycling will be virtually indistinguishable from new plastic. Demand for virgin plastic could plummet, reducing the industry’s emissions.
Of course, irresponsible people will still litter or place their waste in the wrong bin, but the simplified process of chemical recycling will doubtlessly help America achieve a circular economy where most waste is fully recycled. Many top environmentalists including Sir David Attenborough have endorsed chemical recycling.
There are some problems though (there is no free lunch!). As the GAO report notes, a transition to chemical recycling will not be cheap. The current recycling infrastructure in the U.S. will need to be replaced which will take time.
In the meantime, there are some steps policymakers could take to improve our current system.
Confusion is a main driver of plastic recycling inefficiency. People have no clue what the numbers mean and what they should be recycling. The recycling logo is stamped on products that cannot be recycled in most communities.
Overhauling the recycling logo into something that actually makes sense is a relatively cheap change that could make a significant difference in the rate of recycling in the U.S. One way this could be done is by implementing a color-coded system. Most containers have a label. A green dot or logo lets consumers know a product can be recycled while a red one reminds consumers to place it in the trash. Will there be universal application? No, but it would be a huge step forward as the newer technology comes online.
Environmental issues are complicated, but there is no reason to stick our heads in the sand and act as though banning essential products we use every day is a logical solution. It’s not. But we can innovate our way to a better, cleaner future.
James Bowers is managing director of the Campaign for Recycling Awareness (RecyclingFacts.com).
