Plastic Recycling is a Lie: Unveiling the Deception of Big Oil

The Illusion of Plastic Recycling

Plastic consumption has skyrocketed over the past 30 years, and this trend is expected to continue, increasing the amount of plastic used. Despite our efforts to recycle, the reality is that less than 10% of all plastic ever produced has been recycled, a shockingly low percentage of plastic is recycled. Much of this recyclable material, such as plastic bottles, still ends up in landfills. In the U.S., only about 5% of plastic waste is properly recycled, and globally, the rate is only slightly higher at 9%. Most of our tons of plastic waste ends up in landfills or the environment.  This discrepancy reveals a harsh truth: the recycling system we rely on is fundamentally broken.

The concept of recycling has been heavily marketed as a solution to plastic waste, leading many of us to believe that placing plastics in recycling bins means they will be properly managed, despite the complexities in sorting and recycling plastic materials. However, the infrastructure and systems in place are inadequate to handle the sheer volume and complexity of plastic waste. This situation highlights the need for a more realistic approach to managing plastic pollution, as our current methods fall woefully short.

Who is Big Oil?

Big Oil refers to the world’s largest and most influential oil and gas companies, which have significant control over the global energy market. These companies include ExxonMobil, Chevron, BP, Shell, and others in the Society of the Plastics Industry. They are known for their vast resources, extensive lobbying power, and significant impact on both the economy and the environment.

These companies are deeply involved in the production of petrochemicals, the primary raw materials used in making plastics. As energy demands shift towards renewable sources, Big Oil has increasingly relied on plastics as a major source of revenue, seeing it as a key area for future growth. This reliance has driven their efforts to promote the narrative that plastic recycling is a viable solution to plastic waste.

The False Promise and Big Oil’s Role

The promise of recycling has been a carefully constructed lie, which is deeply intertwined with Big Oil and the Society of the Plastics Industry. Plastics are largely made from petrochemicals, and the fossil fuel industry profits enormously from new plastic production—$400 billion annually. As energy demands shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy, Big Oil has increasingly relied on plastics for future profits. Recognizing this, the industry has manipulated public perception to ensure continued reliance on plastic products, including non-recyclable items like plastic bags.

In the late 1980s, public concern about the environmental impact of plastics began to grow. In response, Big Oil invested heavily in marketing campaigns to convince the public that most plastics could be recycled. These efforts were designed to deflect attention from the environmental harm caused by plastic production, new plastic waste, and tons of plastic waste that end up in the environment. By promoting the idea of recycling, the industry aimed to maintain its profitability and avoid stricter regulations on the production of new plastic.

The Disinformation Campaign on Plastic Waste Recycling

Big Oil’s disinformation campaign involved several strategies to promote recycling and cleanup efforts while avoiding measures that would limit plastic production or encourage alternatives. One of the most effective tools in this campaign was the introduction of Resin Identification Codes (RICs), the numbers 1 through 7 imprinted on plastic products. These codes were intended to inform consumers about the type of plastic, but they also misled the public into thinking all plastic materials could be recycled.

In reality, only about 30% of number 1 and 2 plastics are recycled, while numbers 3 through 7 are much harder to recycle, with numbers 6 and 7 being virtually impossible. The RIC system, combined with the use of the recycling symbol—a Möbius strip-inspired logo consisting of three arrows—created the illusion that recycling was a viable solution for all plastic waste. This deception allowed the industry to continue producing vast amounts of plastic while shifting the responsibility for waste management onto consumers.

The Power Lobbyists and Industry Deception to Recycle Plastic Packaging

The fossil fuel industry employs over 1,500 lobbyists who work tirelessly to prevent plastic bans at various levels of government. These lobbyists often have dual roles, representing both environmental groups and Big Oil, creating significant conflicts of interest. This dual representation means that the very people who are supposed to be advocating for environmental protection are also working to advance the interests of plastic makers.

Plastic producers have known for over 30 years that recycling is not economically or technically feasible for much plastic, especially for items requiring extensive sorting and recycling processes. Despite this knowledge, they have continued to promote recycling as a solution, focusing on post-consumer plastics. 

The effectiveness of industry lobbyists has made it difficult to pass meaningful legislation to reduce plastic production and promote sustainable alternatives, including better sorting and recycling practices. These lobbyists have successfully blocked or watered down numerous attempts to implement plastic bans or restrictions. This has allowed the industry to continue profiting from plastic production while avoiding accountability for the environmental damage caused by plastic waste, much plastic of which cannot be efficiently recycled.

The Truth About Recycling Other Materials

While plastic recycling has largely failed, other materials like aluminum, paper, and glass are recycled successfully. Aluminum, for example, is one of the most recycled materials, with nearly 75% of all aluminum ever produced still in use today. Recycling aluminum saves producers 95% of the energy needed to produce new aluminum, making it one of the most energy-efficient materials to recycle.

Glass recycling is also a success story in the U.S. In countries like Germany and Switzerland, the recycling rate for glass is around 90%, in contrast to many plastic items that end up as solid waste. Glass can be recycled endlessly without a loss in quality, making it a highly sustainable material. The success of aluminum and glass recycling demonstrates that effective recycling is possible with the right materials and systems in place.

These examples highlight the potential for a more sustainable approach to waste management. By focusing on materials that can be recycled efficiently and effectively, we can reduce our reliance on plastic and minimize the environmental impact of our waste, including the proper management of much plastic that currently goes unrecycled. This shift requires a fundamental change in how we produce, use, and dispose of materials, moving away from disposable plastics and towards more sustainable alternatives.

Call to Action: Stop Plastic Production

The first step towards a sustainable future is to reduce plastic production significantly. We need a global effort to cut plastic production by 60% by 2040 and reduce the creation of new plastic. This goal can be achieved through policies that promote the use of alternative materials, improve waste management systems, and hold the plastic industry accountable for its environmental impact.

Signing the Global Plastics Treaty petition is a crucial step in pressuring the United Nations and governments worldwide to commit to reducing plastic production. By supporting this initiative, we can push for meaningful action to address the plastic crisis. This includes implementing policies that promote the use of sustainable materials, improving recycling infrastructure, and reducing the production of single-use plastics.

The fight against plastic pollution is a battle we cannot afford to lose, especially considering the polymer waste involved. The deception by Big Oil has diverted attention from real solutions, such as reducing plastic production and finding sustainable alternatives. By understanding the depth of this deception, we can better advocate for policies that protect our planet and future generations from accumulating tonnes of plastic waste. The reality is that a very small percentage of plastic is recycled. It is time to hold the plastic industry accountable and take decisive action to address the plastic crisis, particularly focusing on items that cannot be recycled and the challenges in sorting and recycling them.

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FAQs

Q: What is the truth behind plastic recycling?

A: Plastic recycling is not as effective as believed. Many items, including certain types of plastic bottles and plastic bags, cannot be recycled. Big oil companies have deceived the public into thinking that most plastic waste gets recycled, whereas only a small percentage actually does. Much plastic ends up in landfills or incinerated. This includes items like plastic bottles and plastic bags that often cannot be recycled due to difficulties in sorting and recycling.

Q: How has big oil misled the public into believing plastic would be recycled?

A: Big oil companies have invested in promoting the idea of plastic recycling to shift focus away from the negative environmental impact of plastic production and usage, even though sorting and recycling remain a significant challenge.

Q: What are some common misconceptions about recycling plastic?

A: One common misconception is that all types of plastic packaging can be recycled when, in reality, many plastic items such as bags and certain bottles cannot be effectively recycled due to sorting and recycling limitations. A very low percentage of plastic is recycled.

Q: What role does resin play in the fraud of plastic recycling?

A: Resin is a crucial component in plastic production. The misuse of resin types and misleading labeling tactics contribute to the deception surrounding the recycling of plastics.

Q: Why is it important to uncover the fraud of plastic recycling?

A: By understanding the truth about plastics recycling, individuals and organizations can take informed action towards sustainable plastic waste management and reducing tonnes of plastic and greenhouse gas emissions.

Q: What are some advanced recycling technologies that can help address the plastic waste crisis?

A: Technologies such as advanced recycling offer promising solutions for processing different types of plastic waste, including polyethylene, polystyrene, and polypropylene, to create new reusable materials.

Q: How much of the plastic produced worldwide is actually recycled?

A: Only a small percentage of plastic produced globally is recycled due to limitations in recycling infrastructure, lack of awareness about recycling symbols, and the inefficiency of current recycling processes.