Recycling in America
Are Your Efforts Really Making a Difference?
In our quest for a greener and more sustainable future, recycling has become a must-do for many households. We diligently separate plastics, glass, paper, and cans, tossing them into the recycling bin with hopes of a transformation. But are our efforts paying off? Are the things we recycle actually getting recycled?
After researching this topic, I found myself quite surprised! Now I’m ready to debunk common myths about what can and can’t be recycled and share the truth about how much of our recycled material actually gets a new purpose.
Myth vs Reality: What Can Actually Be Recycled?
Plastic Bags: A Common Misconception
A lot of people think plastic bags can go in the recycling bin with other plastics. I did, for a while, too, until my partner corrected me. The truth is, they cannot.
Why not? Recycling facilities face a real challenge with plastic bags. They can get all tangled up in the sorting machinery, causing big problems and even shutting down the whole system. So, to make sure your plastic bags don’t end up in landfills or harm wildlife, just take them back to the grocery store. They usually have special collection bins just for plastic bag recycling.
Pizza Boxes: The Greasy Truth
Pizza boxes are another thing that can make you go, “Hmm, can I recycle this?”
Here’s the deal: the cardboard itself is recyclable, but there’s a catch. It’s got to be grease-free and food residue-free. If your pizza box is squeaky clean (and if it is… I have questions), go ahead and toss it in the recycling bin. But if your pizza box is all greasy or has food bits (which, let’s be real, is always the case), it’s better to just chuck it in the regular trash.
I know, it hurts my conscience, too! It gets me wondering, couldn’t pizza parlors line their boxes with some sort of heavy-duty waxed paper protective barrier? Granted, it would have to be thrown away, but still, if the cardboard could be saved… Tossing a waxed paper liner would be better than tossing the entire cardboard box, right? But what do I know? I’m just a pizza eater trying not to kill our planet.
Styrofoam: The Recycling Dilemma
Styrofoam, or expanded polystyrene (EPS) products, is a tricky material for recyclers. It’s lightweight and bulky, which makes it a pain to transport and recycle. So, many recycling facilities don’t take it. But there might be some drop-off spots or specialized centers that can handle Styrofoam recycling. It’s worth checking out in your area! Or you can try to avoid purchasing products packaged in this material to cut down on the abundance of this hard-to-recycle stuff.
The things we choose to buy can create demand for products made from recycled materials, which helps close the recycling loop.
The Reality of Your Recycling Impact
Now that we’ve cleared up some common misconceptions about what can and can’t be recycled, let’s get real about how much of our recycled material actually gets recycled. Brace yourself!
Paper Waste: A Remarkable Success Story!
Paper products have been rocking the recycling world for ages. Recent data shows that a whopping 66% of all paper used in the US gets recycled. How cool is that? We owe this amazing rate to widespread paper recycling programs and the demand for recycled paper goods in different industries. So, next time you toss an empty cereal box or a stack of old newspapers in the recycling bin, know that it’s got a solid shot at becoming shiny new paper products. Yay!
Aluminum Cans: A Shining Example
When it comes to aluminum cans, America has a pretty impressive track record in terms of recycling rates. In fact, nearly 50% of all aluminum cans produced in the country are made from recycled materials. This high rate is because of a few factors like well-established collection systems, financial incentives for recyclers, and the economic viability of using recycled aluminum in manufacturing. So, keep up the good work when it comes to aluminum can recycling — every can really does make a difference!
Plastics: Still a Challenge
Plastics, on the other hand, present a more complex and challenging problem in the world of recycling. While plastics have become an integral part of our daily lives, their recycling rates in the United States are still relatively low. According to recent estimates, only about 8% of all plastic waste generated in the country is recycled. I was shocked to learn this!
The low rate of plastic recycling has several reasons, including limited recycling infrastructure for certain types of plastics, lack of awareness among consumers about proper recycling practices, and the global nature of the plastic waste problem. But don’t despair! There are ongoing efforts underway to improve plastic recycling rates through technological advancements and increased public awareness.
Glass: The Importance of End Markets
Glass is another material that faces unique challenges in terms of recycling. The EPA states that only 31% of glass gets recycled. Why? While glass can be endlessly recycled without losing its quality or purity, the latter half of the process relies on strong end markets for recycled glass cullet (crushed glass).
Without a heavy demand for recycled glass in industries like container manufacturing or fiberglass production, its recycling potential may not be fully realized.
So, when it comes to glass recycling, how can you help? Show your support by purchasing products made from recycled glass. This can make a significant difference, especially if it were a global effort.
Tin Cans: Preserving Quality and Value
Tin cans (which are really tin-plated steel), are commonly used for packaging food like vegetables, soup, shelf-stable meats, and pet food. Because we as a culture, use so many of them, they present a huge recycling opportunity. Tin is able to retain its properties during the recycling process. Unlike some other materials, tin does not degrade or lose quality — it can be recycled indefinitely. Yay!
Yet, the recycling rate of tin cans is not as high as it could be. In fact, only 25% of tin cans are currently being repurposed through recycling. This is often due to confusion about how to properly prepare them. To ensure the successful recycling of tin cans, it’s necessary to clean them thoroughly. A can with a lot of food residue may not be recycled at all!
If you don’t want to make the effort of scrubbing them out, run tin cans through your dishwasher. With proper recycling practices in place, together we could significantly raise the success rate of recycled tin.
How America Stacks Up
In comparison to other countries, America’s recycling efforts show a lot of room for improvement. While countries like Germany and South Korea boast recycling rates nearing 60%, the United States falls much lower with approximately 35%. Yikes! How embarrassing.
This wide margin can be attributed to a bunch of factors including a lack of standardized recycling programs across the nation, as well as limited public awareness about the importance of recycling. Additionally, countries with higher recycling rates typically have robust government policies in place that give incentives for recycling, something that is less common in the U.S.
But don’t get too blue about it. The U.S. continues to make strides in its recycling efforts. Plus, the increasing trend of sustainability and environmental consciousness among Americans indicates a promising future. Hopefully, within the next few generations, America will be a proud, recycling nation!
The Impact of Consumer Efforts
As consumers, we have a big role in shaping the success and effectiveness of recycling programs. It’s up to us to make sure materials end up in the right bins and don’t contaminate the whole batch of recyclables. Plus, the things we choose to buy can create demand for products made from recycled materials, which helps close the recycling loop.
Sure, there are challenges in recycling, like figuring out what to sort and finding the time to drive to recycling centers if your city doesn’t offer pickup. But let’s not forget how much our individual efforts matter! By staying informed about what can be recycled in your area and getting recyclables properly prepared, you’re helping create higher-quality materials that have a better chance of being repurposed.
References:
https://recyclingpartnership.org/stateofcurbside/
https://wasterecycling.org/page/RecyclingStats
https://www.afandpa.org/our-products/paper-recycling
https://www.isri.org/docs/default-source/publications/2019_isri_yearbook.pdf?sfvrsn=6