That’s 293 pounds or trash per American. That’s a mound of plastic the size of a linebacker. Every year. For every person, just in the US.
Greenpeace found that American households brought home about 51 million tons of plastic in 2021, and managed to recycle all of 2.4 million. This meant 48.6 million unrecycled tons – in that one year – were dumped somewhere to remain for eternity.
That’s 293 pounds per American. That’s a mound of plastic the size of a linebacker. Every year. For every person, just in the US. Greenpeace says even at its peak in 2014 plastic recycling only hit … 9.5%. And it’s been dropping ever since. Even the most useful plastic – the coveted #1, the kind used for bottles and jugs – only reached a 21% recycling rate, and it’s much worse for the higher numbers.
We all knew this wasn’t working. One look in your recycle bin told you that. If there was a use for all that plastic, your garbage rates would be going down. Someone would befor your plastic – or at least stealing it. Hey – no problem recycling your catalytic converter, right? That sucker gets recycled before you’re even done with it. It’s worth something. But plastic? Even Greenpeace is saying it’s not worth recycling.