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Writer's pictureNaturallyContained

Less than 6% of all plastic bag waste is recycled each year

The Plastic Problem

The use of plastic packaging and single-use products has increased rapidly since the 1970s, with 98% of these products globally produced from fossil fuels. Currently, the global standard for soil packaging is plastic bags made from varying levels and thicknesses of Polyethylene and PET plastic, due to its high durability and low cost. However, these plastics are difficult to recycle using conventional technology because they have different melting and recycling properties. These inefficiencies, present in even the most modern recycling facilities, lead to "recyclable" plastic bags ending up in landfills.


Why ONLY 6% of ALL Plastic is Recycled

Economic Value: The economic value of recycled plastic is often lower than that of virgin plastics, making it infeasible for companies to invest in recycling.

Convenience: When short on time, individuals are more likely to throw everything in the trash rather than take the time to properly sort each item.

Lack of Education: Across all industries, products lack adequate information on product recyclability, as well as guidance on how to properly clean and dispose of them.


Contamination: Recycling facilities require clean and uncontaminated materials to process. Often used bags contain residual soil inside causing them and the surrounding plastics to be too contaminated for recycling. This leading to the majority of bags being diverted to the landfill.

Lack of Infrastructure: Many regions in North America and globally lack the necessary infrastructure for recycling facilities, such as recycling centers and sorting facilities, making it difficult for people to recycle, even if they want to.





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