Plastics Recycling

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Despite extensive effort over the past several decades, only a small fraction of consumer plastics are ever reused in new products. The vast majority find their way to landfills, where they will remain for thousands of years essentially unchanged. What are the issues with recycling plastics and what is needed to improve recyclability? Read on to discover some plastics recycling success stories and some significant problems still plaguing the industry.

Recycling Chaos in U.S. as China Bans 'Foreign Waste'

  • NPR, 9 December 2017

  • Summary: This article summarizes how China is no longer importing 24 different kinds of "foreign waste" from countries like the United States who export about 1/3 of their recyclables to China. In an effort to improve China's environmental footprint

Why Plastic Is Still the Last Frontier of Recycling

  • The Guardian, 26 February 2014

  • Summary: This article highlights Mike Biddle, former CEO of MBA Plastics, a recycling firm that focuses on plastics in electronics waste.

9 Quick Tips to Recycle More Plastics

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  • Plastics Makes it Possible, 10 November 2015

  • Summary: This post highlights nine different methods to help consumers recycle household products.

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