It is important to understand what happens to old plastic in order to understand what will happen if you do not recycle plastic.
Low Rate of Plastic Recycling
The recycling of plastics is growing along with the recycling statistics of glass and paper; however, only a small percentage of all plastic is recycled. The EPA reports that only 6.8% of all plastics were recycled in 2007 as compared to the 50% of all paper which was recycled.
The reasons for this low rate of recycling tend to center around the inability to recycle all types of plastic in community recycling programs. For example:
- Not all types of plastics are accepted by community recycling programs
- Plastic bags are typically not accepted in recycling programs
Community Recycling
According to the American Plastics Council (APC), about half of all communities in the United States have recycling programs for plastics. Some communities have curbside recycling while other communities require their citizens to bring their recyclables to drop-off recycling points within the community. Some communities accept all types of materials for recycling while others limit the types of plastics they accept. However, almost all grocery stores offer recycle bins which allow patrons to recycle their plastic grocery bags. Those grocery stores who do not offer this service should.
Plastic Bags
Most communities do not accept plastic bags in their curbside or drop-off recycling programs. Of the billion plastic bags given out each day, only 1 to 3% are being recycled. Most employees bring lunches, or other items to work in plastic grocery bags. You could help your employees recycle these bags by providing a plastic grocery bag recycling container at the office.
Some recycling programs only accept plastic bottles made from PET or HDPE, leaving the other plastic items to be tossed into the garbage. Help you employees recycle those plastic bags that don’t make into the traditional recycling bins.
When plastic is not recycled it ends up in the landfill becomes waste in the environment. Without recycling, this "wasted" plastic cannot be reworked and reused. Instead, "new" plastic must be made, requiring the use of natural resources.
For more information on plastic botlle & bag recycling centers, contact the Fibrex Group.
Green Living
|
