Chiu, A. (2023, May 22). The little-known unintended consequence of recycling plastics. Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2023/05/22/plastic-recycling-microplastic-pollution/
In a recent study focusing on recycling facilities in the United Kingdom, researchers found that an unintended consequence of recycling some plastics could be that small plastic particles could be released into the environment. Additionally, recycling plastics is not as effective as some might think. Instead, only a very small amount, anywhere from 5-9%, of plastics are actually recycled. However, the research was only done at one recycling facility, but the article still states how important this information is for the future of plastic development and recycling. The facility decided to add a filtration system in the recycling plant’s water system to try to filter out the very small particles that were being emitted into the water and air, but not all recycling facilities have the ability to install filtration systems.
Many people turn to recycling when talking about the impact that plastic has had on the environment, but this article helps highlight that a very small percentage of plastics are actually being recycled. Even so, small particles of plastics, even when recycled, are breaking down and being emitted into the atmosphere around us. The overall effect that plastics have on the environment should be causing so incentive to change the way that people look at plastics. If we really want to save our planet, countries around the world need to stop producing plastics that are just imported back into the environment and causing drastic effects on our natural resources. We as a whole have already created enough damage, and stopping the production of plastics could greatly help our environment.
Laurel- You’ve got such a big topic. Of course plastic is ubiquitous. As you pointed out, very little plastic is actually recycled… and it’s and coming to light that the plastic industry was very deliberate in misleading the public into thinking it was recyclable. It’s scandalous to say the least. Considering how big the plastic industry is and how powerful some of their producers are (ie. Coca Cola), can you imagine policies that would lead us a way from disposable plastic, and all its issues… including microplastics being released?
I will look forward to following what you find as you explore this topic. It is very much right now and what is happening with plastic in our oceans has to stop.
I was not aware of the things that could happen while recycling. Why do you think that the lack of spreading this information about plastics is present?
I think that there is a lack of information on the amount of plastic that is actually recycled because plastic is easy, to say the least. I think that big corporations benefit from single-use plastic, leading to misinformation based on how it is recycled.