Feature Photo Credit: mali maeder
Did you know that UK households throw away nearly 100 billion pieces of plastic packaging each year, with only 12% recycled domestically? This indicates that the UK generates more plastic waste per capita than nearly any other nation globally, even as many of us diligently sort our recyclables. But what really happens with the plastic bottles, yoghurt containers, and plastic wraps we set out for collection?
The truth about what happens to our plastic recycling bins is… well, it’s complicated. But one thing we know for sure is that the excessive production of plastic and the scarcity of universally applicable reusable alternatives are pressing issues—really pressing.
WHAT HAPPENS TO OUR PLASTIC RECYCLING?
As global awareness of plastic pollution continues to grow, we are bombarded with advertisements encouraging us to recycle more. Household recyclables are collected from outside our homes and taken to sorting facilities, where both people and machines categorise them into groups such as aluminum cans, paper, cardboard, plastic, and general waste.
While the UK government claims that nearly half of the country’s plastic packaging is recycled, a considerable portion of household plastic designated for recycling ultimately ends up in waste incinerators across the nation. These incinerators, which are large furnaces used for burning refuse, contribute to air pollution, noise, unpleasant odours, litter, and traffic congestion as waste is transported and smoke billows from their chimneys.
Additionally, more than half of the plastic packaging that the government asserts is recycled is actually exported overseas, primarily to countries that face challenges with low recycling rates and the illegal disposal or burning of plastic waste. The volume of plastic the UK sends abroad is equivalent to that of three and a half Olympic swimming pools every single day. Plastic waste discarded abroad can be carried by the wind into rivers and oceans.
Plastic Waste: A Growing Threat to Marine Life and Human Health
Recent research shows that plastic packaging and bags pose significant threats to marine life. Furthermore, the impact of plastic waste dumps extends beyond environmental harm; they also pose risks to human health. In Malaysia, attorney CK Lee, in partnership with the Kuala Langat Environmental Association, reported that residents living nearby suffered from respiratory issues, insomnia, nausea, and general malaise as a result of inhaling toxic fumes from the open-air burning of plastic waste.
Globally, an estimated 242 million metric tons of plastic waste is produced each year. While recycling seems like a straightforward solution, it is far more complex. The effectiveness of plastic recycling is questionable, as highlighted by a startling statistic from Our World in Data: from the 5.8 billion metric tons of plastic waste generated between 1950 and 2015, only about 9% has been recycled. The rest has been left to be incinerated, landfilled, or littered. A more recent report from the nonprofit The Last Beach Cleanup and advocacy group Beyond Plastics indicates that this recycling rate may be even lower, with only 5% to 6% of plastic waste transformed into new products in 2021.
WHY NOT JUST RECYCLE ALL THE PLASTIC?
It may be surprising to realise how little plastic has actually been recycled, especially given how prevalent recycling has become. The reality, however, is that recycling plastic is quite challenging. Plastic products typically consist of a blend of chemicals, complicating the recycling process and making it difficult to separate the base materials for recovery and reuse.
- Contamination: Plastic waste often becomes contaminated with labels, food residues, or other materials. For instance, placing non-recyclable items in the recycling bin can contaminate the waste stream and damage recycling machinery. This diminishes the quality of recycled products and complicates the sorting process. If contamination levels are too high, the waste stream cannot be recycled, resulting in everything being sent to a landfill.
- Harmful chemicals: Plastics contain a complex array of chemical additives that impart specific characteristics like flexibility, colour, or water resistance. Many of these substances pose health risks. Recycling plastic products with hazardous chemicals can lead to long-term adverse health effects for workers, local communities, and end-users of the products.
- Profitability: With thousands of different plastics, each possessing unique properties that impact their structure, colour, and melting point, processing them together is complicated and costly. For example, polyethene terephthalate (PET), considered 100% recyclable, cannot have green PET bottles recycled with clear PET bottles.
How the Plastics Industry Shaped Public Perception
The carefully constructed narrative around recycling is, in large part, a fabrication by the plastics industry. This concept of recycling was designed to distract the public from the urgent issue of plastic pollution. In response, in California, the Attorney General launched an investigation, in 2022, accusing Big Oil of creating and spreading the myth that recycling alone could resolve the plastic crisis, backed by years of disinformation.
The attorney general claims that the fossil fuel industry profited from misleading the public into believing that plastics are broadly recyclable, thereby driving consumers towards plastic-laden products. Big Oil—a term often used to describe the largest Western oil companies—was reportedly aware as early as 1974 that recycling wasn’t an economically viable solution. An industry insider admitted that there was no sustainable way to recycle most plastics. So, how did this myth around recycling take hold?
the resin identification code (ric) symbols
Alongside these misleading advertising campaigns and the illusion of a flourishing recycling industry came the introduction of the Resin Identification Codes (RICs), introduced in 1988, by the Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI). RICs are the numbers, ranging from 1 to 7, found on the bottom of plastic products, indicating their chemical composition. This was a clever marketing strategy, as the industry recognised that the average consumer would interpret these RIC numbers as evidence of a robust and effective recycling system. This misled us into thinking that plastic could be recycled.
In reality, this plastic recycling number system actually serves no purpose: the consumer cannot do much with it and the waste separators do not use it. While 30% of plastics labelled with numbers 1 and 2 are recycled, the recycling rates for numbers 3 to 7 are significantly lower, with numbers 6 and 7 being nearly impossible to recycle.
what do the Resin Identification Codes mean?
PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate, Symbol #1)
PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate) is the most common plastic for single-use bottled beverages because it’s inexpensive, lightweight and easy to recycle. You should not refill PET bottles, however, as the risk of additive leakage increases.
Found in: Soft drink and water bottles, ketchup and beer bottles, peanut butter containers, salad dressing, and vegetable oil containers.
Recycled into: Polar fleece, fibre, tote bags, furniture, carpet, paneling, straps, and bottles.
HDPE (Symbol #2): Used for milk jugs and detergent bottles; it is considered safe and can be recycled.
PVC (Symbol #3): Used for piping and because it’s cheap, it’s found in plenty of products and packaging; it’s rarely recycled. It should be avoided, as chlorine is part of PVC, and can result in the release of highly dangerous dioxins during manufacturing. Also, never burn PVC, because it releases toxins.
LDPE (Symbol #4): Found in bags and squeezable bottles; not often accepted kerbside for recycling.
PP (Symbol #5): Used for hot liquid containers and some food packaging.
PS (Symbol #6): Known as Styrofoam in its foam form, can leach harmful chemicals, including potential carcinogens, into food. It has been a major environmental concern due to its widespread dispersion and difficulty in recycling. Most places don’t accept foam polystyrene for recycling because it’s mostly air (98%).
Miscellaneous (Symbol #7): Includes a variety of resins that don’t fit into other categories. Polycarbonate items like sunglasses, DVDs, bulletproof materials, clear plastic cutlery, lighting fixtures, and certain food containers. Polycarbonate is a clear, hard plastic linked to concerns over BPA, a hormone disruptor. It also includes PLA (polylactic acid), a plant-based, carbon-neutral plastic. This plastic is simply burned and is not recyclable.
Origins of the RIC Symbol
The RIC symbol was derived from the Möbius strip-inspired recycling logo, which features three arrows. This original logo was designed to promote authentic recycling efforts. However, the RIC numbers merely serve to mislead the public into believing that recycling is feasible and effective. Since the three-arrow recycling symbol is not trademarked, it has been co-opted by the industry-supported RIC numbering system, becoming a tool for lobbyists advocating for Big Oil.
The Hidden Influence Blocking Plastic Bans
The fossil fuel industry employs highly effective lobbyists who work against any proposed plastic bans at federal, state, and local levels. More than 1,500 of these lobbyists concurrently collaborate with cities, universities, and environmental organisations that are striving to combat the fossil fuel industry. Some of the cities utilising these dual-agency lobbyists are among those most severely impacted by climate change. And they might not even be aware of it.
The lobbying sector operates with minimal regulation and often keeps client information confidential. Consequently, an environmental group might partner with a lobbyist who is simultaneously working for a member of Big Oil. Due to the lack of legal restrictions surrounding this dual role, lobbyists are not obligated to disclose their conflicting interests. Hence the plastic problem is that particular city, university or organisation, persists and will continue to do so.
THE SOLUTION
The stark truth is that in the UK, fewer than 10% of everyday plastics, particularly packaging, are recycled. Despite what advertisements may imply, the issue isn’t that people aren’t recycling enough; rather, it stems from the overwhelming production of single-use plastics, which necessitates incineration or disposal in other countries. Should we stop recycling altogether? While some might argue for this, a functional recycling system remains a vital part of the solution.
UK Urged to Step Up Action on Plastic Pollution Crisis
Moreover, immediate action from the UK government is critical to tackle the larger issue at hand. Although the government claims to lead the fight against plastic pollution, its actions have been insufficient in managing this crisis responsibly. Measures such as banning plastic cotton bud sticks, straws, and stirrers have had little effect, while more impactful initiatives like a plastic bottle deposit return scheme have faced ongoing delays, despite their success in various EU nations.
To effectively address the plastic crisis, the first step should involve establishing clear and measurable requirements in extended producer responsibility (EPR) policies, focusing on reduction. EPR holds manufacturers and importers accountable for the environmental impact of their products throughout their entire life cycle. Halving the production of single-use plastics could significantly decrease waste exports and lower rates of incineration and landfills. By committing to a 50% reduction in single-use plastics by 2025, the government, supermarkets, and major brands can protect both people and the planet from plastic pollution—an initiative that still requires validation.
supporting the global plastics treaty
The UK public is actively addressing plastic pollution, with over 220,000 people participating in The Big Plastic Count to highlight the UK’s role in the crisis. The UK government, as part of the High Ambition Coalition with 63 other nations committed to ending plastic pollution by 2040, is encouraged to take a leading role in supporting a strong Global Plastics Treaty.
Related – Are You Joining The Big Plastic Count?
Global Plastics Treaty: what you need to know
In 2022, the United Nations initiated negotiations for a global treaty aimed at tackling the plastic pollution crisis. Nearly all countries are participating to establish international standards for plastic production and waste management, potentially regulating harmful chemicals, phasing out single-use plastics, and reducing overall plastic production. This treaty marks a rare and critical chance to address the issue, with stakes high for both environmental and human health.
How does it work?
Countries are meeting at the UN to draft a treaty on plastic pollution, aiming to finalise it by the end of 2024. This treaty would set international standards for plastic management, and its success hinges on collective commitment from nearly all nations—a unique power of the UN.
At recent negotiations in Canada, Indigenous leaders highlighted the impact of microplastics on food and livelihoods, while scientists stressed the need to limit plastic production. Some countries, including Peru and Rwanda, led proposals to reduce plastic production, with support from others, while 28 nations signed a declaration calling for production cuts. However, the influence of fossil fuel industry lobbyists slowed progress, resulting in a lack of consensus on limiting plastic production.
Despite setbacks, the treaty’s potential for impactful regulations remains, as production cuts are still under discussion. The upcoming negotiation rounds will be critical in determining whether the treaty can address the root of plastic pollution.
Beyond Recycling: The Urgent Need to Curb Plastic Production at Its Source
The belief that plastic is easily recyclable and that the responsibility lies solely with consumers has been shaped by decades of well-funded campaigns from some of the largest producers of plastic. Therefore, another solution is to put an end to greenwashing practices. This includes organisations like The Recycling Partnership, which sounds beneficial but is funded by Dow, Exxon, Coke, and Amazon—companies dependent on plastic production. Similarly, the nonprofit Keep America Beautiful has board members from Dow Chemical Company, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, and Nestle, all of which rely on single-use plastic production.
The environmental measures enacted thus far are merely temporary fixes for a much deeper issue. Tackling the plastic problem requires a shift in mindset—from believing that recycling is a solution to actively seeking genuine ways to reduce plastic production. This shift necessitates holding companies accountable for the environmental impact of their products.
what can we do?
Everyone can play a part in the fight against plastic pollution. Start by reducing your own use of single-use plastics—it’s easier than it might seem. In addition to making small changes in your daily habits, you can also turn to companies like TerraCycle and Veolia for help with recycling.
Innovative Recycling Solutions
TerraCycle and Veolia are at the forefront of tackling global waste challenges with cutting-edge recycling solutions. TerraCycle differentiates itself from local kerbside recycling by focusing on waste streams that are typically not recyclable in standard systems. TerraCycle works with brands, retailers, and other stakeholders to fund the recycling of hard-to-recycle materials, ensuring that even the most challenging waste finds a second life.
Similarly, Veolia is committed to ecological transformation with their advanced plastics recycling technologies. Through their innovative services, including the PROCYCLE container-return service, both companies are making it easier to recycle difficult items like crisp packets, healthcare packaging, and textiles, especially in consumer-facing locations like offices, hospitals, and airports.
reduce plastic use
Small changes in daily habits can add up to a significant impact. You can also join the Plastic Soup Foundation and go on a 7-day “plastic diet” to get started. Each day, you’ll receive helpful tips and practical strategies to cut down on plastic use. Sign up today and take your first step toward a plastic-free lifestyle!
You can also sign the petition here, calling on the government to champion a strong Global Plastics Treaty.
