Most Plastic Isn't Recycled

PSA: Most “recyclable” plastic isn’t actually recycled. In addition to confirming what types of plastic your local facility accepts before recycling something, it’s a good idea to cut down on plastic use where you can — especially if it’s tied to a recurring habit. #plastic #recycling #sustainability #nowyouknow

[lucyscreamsintothevoid]

The “recycling” symbol on plastic does not mean it is recyclable. It just indicates what type of plastic it is. All plastic is required to have this on it.

[nunyabiznez]

Last year I converted to all reusable food grade stainless steel containers all with sealable lids. My grocery store where I buy my produce permits me to lay down a sheet of paper on their scale then they weigh my produce and then I take all that and put it into the steel containers. So far the three I asked will permit that instead of using the plastic produce bags. I have discovered that my food now has a cleaner taste. I did not know that the plastic bags designed for food storage actually leaches odors into the food from within the refrigerator. Steel cannot do that so my food stays fresh longer. I also have some glass containers as well which does an equally good job. Those have ground fitted stoppers. I drink mostly milk, water and home made lemonade. I do wish they would bring back glass milk jugs. There really is a limit to how many bird feeders made from milk jugs will fit in one 300 year old oak tree.

[sophfro]

Yeah I try and reuse plastic bags at least once (like for the toiletries trash can in the bathroom) and not using plastic bags for produce, but man, so much food and other household items have plastic somewhere or other, it sucks. I do buy a lot of second hand stuff though which helps.

[ianrothman]

So the issue is more that people are putting plastics, that are not recyclable at their local facility, into recycling bins.

[pepperonish]

I put plastic in recycling so my trash can doesn't get full

[davebloggs]

plastic is both a necessity and a foe in our modern world. generally only HDPE and PET numbers 2 and 1 are recycled, the reason for that is market, there is a profitable market for those 2 and much less for the others. something is only recyclable if there is a market for it.

[RowanWolf]

Sadly, for the bathroom we prefer to keep it lined. Since the bathroom is where the toilet is, and where period pads etc end up. So we prefer to keep it more hygienic by having a liner inside. Sure you can clean the bin, but plastic soaks up so much of what it touches and becomes very quickly unhygienic/bacteria breeding ground 😅

[The_dog_in_the_hat]

I’m just going to keep throwing my plastic in the trashcan. I’m anti-recycle.