Recycling is Real! - MassRecycle responds to the NPR article

"MassRecycle is deeply concerned that NPR’s “Recycling plastic is practically impossible — and the problem is getting worse” has maligned recycling and misinformed readers.  Far from addressing the problem of plastic waste, this kind of negative press motivates people to “throw it all in the trash”. 

Recycling is not a sham. Please do not throw everything in the trash.  

Plastic recycling is not impossible; it is happening everyday.   You can see it: MassRecycle offers facility tours, including tours of Material Recovery Facilities where recycling is processed.  These tours are open to the public. 

If you put recyclable plastic in the bin it will be recycled. There are resources available that will tell you which items can go in the recycling bin.  Go to the Recyclopedia and type an item in the search bar.  If it says the item is recyclable, make sure it is clean and put it in your bin. It will be recycled.  If it cannot be recycled, try not to buy it again. 

Read MassRecycle’s open letter to NPR for the rest of the story.

NPR Article: https://www.npr.org/2022/10/24/1131131088/recycling-plastic-is-practically-impossible-and-the-problem-is-getting-worse

The Boston Globe version of the NPR article was shared here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/11/boston-globe-plastic-recycling-is-myth.html

Recycling is Real! - MassRecycle responds to the NPR article

 

Boston Globe: "Plastic recycling is a ‘myth,’ study says"

"Of the 51 million tons of plastic waste US households generated in 2021, just 2.4 million tons — or 5 percent — was recycled, new research shows.

The findings provide yet more proof that plastic recycling is a “myth,” says the new analysis, published by the environmental nonprofit Greenpeace USA this week.

Plastic, which is made from fossil fuels, is notoriously difficult to recycle. A major reason: Though they can be broken down into broad categories, there are thousands of varieties of the material, each with its own chemical makeup. Most cannot be recycled together, so to be processed, they must be meticulously sorted. Still, hundreds of millions of tons of plastic are produced each year, which is a major problem for the climate: Plastic production and disposal account for 3.4 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/10/28/science/plastic-recycling-is-myth-study-says/

While recycling maybe a "myth" that they are created from fossil fuels is the major issue for our overall climate challenge. How do we find reasonable alternatives?

Download the full report for your reading pleasure -> 

https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/GPUS_FinalReport_2022.pdf

Boston Globe: "Plastic recycling is a ‘myth,’ study says"