Major household brands are backing a proposal that would label plastics "recyclable" even if they are unlikely to be reused, raising concerns about environmental impact.
Lisa Song reports for ProPublica.
In short:
- The Consumer Brands Association is advocating to redefine “recyclable” plastics, despite most plastics ending up in landfills.
- Only 5% of plastic in the U.S. gets recycled, with common items like chip bags and candy wrappers remaining unrecyclable.
- Experts warn this proposal may worsen plastic pollution by misleading consumers about what actually gets recycled.
Key quote:
"Until all toothpaste tubes are recyclable, it’s just not something that you can easily do."
— Miriam Holsinger, co-president of Minnesota-based Eureka Recycling
Why this matters:
Allowing brands to label hard-to-recycle plastics as “recyclable” could increase environmental damage and undermine consumer trust. With only a small percentage of plastic being recycled, clearer labeling and stronger recycling systems are needed to curb pollution.
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