Is Recycling Still Worth It Anymore in 2021? | One Small Step

The news keeps telling us that our recycling system isn’t working - and even One Small Step host Lucy Biggers is starting to have her doubts. So we asked the experts: Is recycling still worth it?
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Is recycling really beyond hope? And what's with the plastic numbers at the bottom of our bottles - how do we get them straight?
We talk to several experts with different perspectives on our recycling system: Kristy Drutman of @browngirl_green; Cole Rosengren, a senior editor for Waste Dive; and Judith Enck, the founder of Beyond Plastics.
#Recycling #OneSmallStep #Earth #Environment #Science #NowThis
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[@easygrowinggarden]

Can we stop only addressing the plastic issue at the consumer level and start addressing it at the manufacture/producer level, when are we going to hold them accountable?

[@rickytorres9089]

As my above comment I am concerned about this very much as I want to put my money where my mouth is. But I am struggling to find Robo Advisories whose let me do this without stupid min. amounts and/or fixated charges to negate micro investments to these companies who DO care about this sort of things.

[@TheNinja47]

​@juleous camper why is it that the responsibility is always on the consumers and never on the greedy capitalists enabling it?

[@lynnhettrick7588]

YES! It needs to be the manufacturers' responsibility.

[@hungryjack8032]

@@lynnhettrick7588 Consumers demanded cheaper prices and manufacturers answered with plastic containers. Consumers need to demand paper, metal, glass containers from the manufacturers. This of course will cost more and prices will go up to cover it.

[@nzuckman]

@@hungryjack8032 Stop acting like manufacturers have no choice whatsoever in what packaging they use. They don't do what consumers want, they do what makes money without thought or care for the consequences of their choices.

[@cassandraherrera4631]

I feel like we need to go back to old days when soda pop was in glass and u would bring the bottles back to the store and the soda companies would reuse them. Same for the milk companies. I know Strauss milk company does this, that's what I buy

[@kristinesharp6286]

And packaged in cardboard to carry the heavy glass bottles. The do this with beer still.

[@martinw.8572]

@@kristinesharp6286 Actually, here in Germany, Plastic crates work great and have long lifespans for that purpose. Better have a reusable item made from (recyclable #2 or #5, which seems to be no problem for pretty much any recycling company here as long as it is clean) hard plastic than one from single-use cardboard.

[@anna-lenameijer9942]

The glass bottle was stopped in the 80's by the plastic lobby. Very stupid! See where it got us: 5 gigantic plastic garbage patches in the oceans. Everybody suffers: animals, fish, human, the air, the oceans. Did I forget anybody? Recycling isn't more complicated than returning a read book to the library: take out of the system what you need. When you're done and don't need it anymore, put it back into the system and restore it for another round.

[@cryingalone7572]

What we do on norway. And we get money back for each bottle so we have 1 more reason to return the waste

[@kristinesharp6286]

@@cryingalone7572 many states have done that for certain kinds of bottles since the 70’s. Usually pop cans and glass bottles. But you pay a premium when you buy it.

[@spencerharder7025]

My town stopped recycling glass and that’s when I really started questioning the system.

[@pennyoflaherty1345]

“The Love of Money is the Root of All Evil !! “ TRULY PRO ACTIVENESS IS BETTER THAN LATE RE ACTION. DO THE BIG-WIGS HAVE TO START EATING PLASTIC SEAFOOD .....?....BEFORE THEY WAKE UP. Money Won’t always BUY HEALTH !

[@laserbrain7774]

No ones kid is going to get cancer because you threw some glass in the ocean or a landfill. When your plastic makes it to the ocean, someones kid (maybe one not born yet) is on the way to an ignominious cancer death

[@Twoplywatson]

@@laserbrain7774 but glass is 100% recyclable. less need to mine more raw materials.

[@dragondancer1814]

My town stopped recycling glass several years ago and their suggestion was “buy the same items packaged in glass or aluminum.” Fine in theory, but look at how many items at the grocery store are packaged in glass that CANNOT be packaged in plastic or aluminum-salsa, relish, pickles, olives, maraschino cherries, certain vinegars, some medicines, jams, jellies, hot sauces, sauces, liquor, wine, yeast for baking-the list goes on. Not to mention that glass can be recycled virtually indefinitely, while plastic has a finite number of recyclings and it cannot be remade into the same thing. WTAF are these idiots thinking?!

[@JiffyJames85]

@@Twoplywatson Yes and no. There is a cost to mining quartz (and additives live aluminum), and a cost to processing them. However, these are well established processes. Recycling glass also has large costs associated. It takes more energy (depending on system used) to clean and reprocess glass than it does to mine and refine quartz in man scenarios. Also, glass is largely innert in its environmental impact, unlike plastics and other substances. I actually stopped recycling glass before my recycling center stopped taking it due to several environmental impact studies. Plastics definitely need to be recycled (properly). And I'm still on the fence with paper (more regulation on paper sources may have a more positive environmental impact). Glass seems to cost more money and energy to recycle than it does to just process new.

[@99leadpencils]

Biggest learning for me was that ONLY half of US households have access to curbside recycling! 😱 Considering about 17% of the US lives in rural areas, there are still 20-33% of American suburbs/cities that could still reasonably have better access to recycling.

[@Throughthelurkingglass]

And when you do recycle it, it usually goes right in the trash anyway

[@sandeec6381]

Our HOA took our recycling bins away. We are only allowed to have trash cans. Totally made me mad.

[@1ducttapeproduction]

Rural communities have a trash and recycling drop off that you take your stuff to. It's 1. Cheaper and 2. Cost efficient on the rural towns. Making everyone get curbside pickup, isn't the best option. You'd also lose out on the benefits like a wider selection for dumping. For instance, in the south, they have a spot to dispose of cooking oil or large furniture.

[@KM-pm6qe]

@@sandeec6381 do you vote in the HOA? Go talk to your neighbors!

[@maggiebarry9117]

Wow. Haters gonna hate, I guess. I have lived in the southern US for nearly my entire life. I'm watching this because I care about the environment. Regionism appears to be alive and well.

[@vuskeedoo]

The companies producing the trash need to use sustainable material. It all begins with the corporations.

[@ryancruz1876]

Who’s buying the’s corporations things though? No one is forcing people to buy things from corporations.

[@KM-pm6qe]

@@ryancruz1876 actually I’d disagree about that. If there’s no good alternative, it’s not much different from being forced, is it?

[@addl7340]

They shouldn't be produced in the first place

[@Dog.soldier1950]

Your producing the trash my friend, we all are

[@addl7340]

@@Dog.soldier1950 I'm not digging up crude oil and smelting it into millions of tons of nature killer every year mush, exxon, BP, furmosa, the list goes on, start at the source not the tail

[@hakunamatata1352]

*Please make an episode on batteries* and landfills. We can maybe highlight products that don't need them (mechanical scales, chorded small house appliances vs battery driven ones). Having a battery really does affect the service life of a product because they wear out so quickly and are either expensive or hard to replace (or both!)

[@grayonthewater]

She posted ok Instagram about batteries

[@MrSharkbay]

Batteries are actually really profitable to recycle!

[@hakunamatata1352]

@@MrSharkbay Never heard that. I just knew even big countries like Australia don't collect them for recycling. If they're not recycled (or at least collected for 'safe' storage) they will seep into our groundwater and pollute our grandchildren's drinking water (or maybe even ours)

[@cltinturkey]

Excellent video and wake-up call. Three things I'd like to see immediately: incentives to open and promote bulk purchase stores (you bring and refill your container), stiff monetary penalties to companies to discourage production of plastics greater than 1 or 2, and requirements for companies to take back their products for responsible recycling, like computers, cell phones, appliances, and large items. This has been in place in Europe for 30+ years, and it's working.

[@gunstrokethecybertronian8659]

Yeah I mean when I was a kid I felt like recycling was a way of helping our homes among other things that made me feel like caring for the environment. But all that changed for me today when I never knew the many various amounts of plastic nor how they were dealt with.

[@KM-pm6qe]

@Joseph Norm so true. you should put this as a main comment and not only as a reply!

[@ber1779]

@Joseph Norm Oil companies and politics play a part of why plastics are still used. If oil is not used, oil produces (sellers) won’t have as much power. Oil companies, and corruption, want to keep things how they are.

[@robmaule4025]

"Instead of regulating companies to use more sustainable materials our federal government failed to act..." Most important line in this video.

[@dennyshoopman4397]

What hasn't our federal government failed at?

[@laMoria]

Recycling means putting an item back into the cycle of use. It can be broken into raw materials or reused for something else. The problem is our packages are hardly reusable.

[@hungryjack8032]

All plastic is very recyclable. It's the cost that prevents it from taking place. It is cheaper to make more plastic from oil than from recycled plastic. Then you have paper board coated with foil like Pringles can or coated with wax like most frozen food boxes that make it impossible to separate at a reasonable cost.

[@ryanlowe5391]

Great video. The most important thing is just to try buy as little as you can, even if it's just a little bit less than usual!

[@rickytorres9089]

That and reusing is surprisingly possible if you just spend 5 minutes thinking sometimes! Those Whole Foods' Sushi bottom trays makes EXCELLENT saucers for plants and the cheapest option even!

[@roymakescomics]

Also, have fewer kids per household. It's totally irresponsible to have more than one child.. I think Sagan even wrote about that 40 years ago.

[@rickytorres9089]

@@roymakescomics That is rude and disrespectful so your saying we should let every as you puts it "excess" kid rots on the streets like a lost pet? I am sick just thinking about it. :(

[@J.5.M.]

I always carry a reusable water bottle or thermos with me and a little case for cutlery. That way when I eat take-out I don't need any plastic cutlery. One small step!

[@jaywyse7150]

@@roymakescomics terrible idea.

[@satyabobby1]

One simple solution: Start using reusables (that are not made of plastics)

[@ThomasBomb45]

Even a reusable item made of plastic is better than lots ot single use plastics. But reusable plastics should be seen as a compromise

[@GreenDolphinProject]

Agreed. We are trying to get Dispatch Goods in Chicago.

[@DAndyLord]

@@ThomasBomb45 Plastic is often the lowest carbon-cost material for reusable products. Plastic trash should be landfilled. Old landfills are environmental nightmares, but a modern engineered landfill is an environmentally responsible choice. Plastic pollution needs to stay out of the water. Paper rarely makes environmental sense to recycle, plastic occasionally makes sense to recycle, glass often makes sense to recycle, metal normally makes sense to recycle.

[@Christoff070]

Another simple solution: change your diet, buy only what you need at the time that you need it, and keep processed foods and their packaging to minimum

[@CatEyedGoddess]

Yes! Yes! The problem is ppl are so use to just going to the store or making a quick run and don’t think, “Oh, let me get my reusable whatever.” They just go in without thinking about it. We just need to stop making it. But you already know how that’s going to go.

[@melusine826]

One way is Move UP the zero waste hierarchy: redesign, rethink, repurpose etc. By applying systems thinking, circular and doughnut economics principles(different business models) etc before even think about recycling we can hope to create a new system. And "waste to energy" is only half a step from landfill!

[@KM-pm6qe]

“Waste to energy” is arguably worse than landfill!

[@smay745]

I remember when I was a kid (in the 80s) that plastic grocery bags were marketed as the responsible thing to get because it meant trees weren’t cut down. I’m curious what the impact would be if single use plastic containers went back to single use paper/cardboard

[@kristinesharp6286]

Product would leak being unhealthy. Loss of product. You can fit dozens of plastic bags into a Kleenex box. You can not fit dozens of paper bags into a Kleenex box. The laundry detergent in a box sometimes leaked out and mass wise much more material than the plastic bottle that didn’t leak it all over your ground beef and apples. Ick. Plastic meant things broke less wasting product, money and causing injury. Paper was not strong enough and it was no fun when the paper bag, perhaps double bag, failed and everything landed in the ground. Then how to finish bringing it home? I think not having newspapers anymore brilliant. But now we have tons of boxes from delivery. Plastic bags also helpful for grocery store workers during pandemic. I can’t use my reusable bags anymore. If the people who are wanting the problem solved spent their energy making the factory to process all the stuff that is too expensive to recycle instead of trying to convince people to make the government make a business deal with it the problem would not be a problem anymore. Never should have been sent on ship abroad. Just asking for a mess in the water. I think paper and cardboard recycling is the thing to focus on. Burn or bury the rest. Schools have already indoctrinated the kids to use water bottles. The redesigning packaging has led to waste of product and frustration.

[@thelanittaja4765]

In the case of single use grocery bags, paper bag causes about 4 times more CO2 (equivalent) emissions than plastic bag. Paper bags also have a bigger water footprint, but that's not really an issue where I live. While paper bag has bigger carbon and water footprint (and most likely requires more land as the trees need to grow somewhere), it uses renewable resources. Plastic bags may seem better if you only consider carbon and water footprints, but it has other impacts, such as littering, micro plastics, oil spills etc. At the end of the day, multi use bag is the best option. The best bag for groceries is the one you already have, but if you must get a new one, I'd recommend getting a plastic bag that is convenient to use (doesn't tip over when full, fits into your pocket when empty, looks good enough, in general being better and/or more convenient than a single use bag). It's hard to compare plastic to paper since they impact the environment in different ways, but using the bag you already own is usually the best option.

[@kristinesharp6286]

@@thelanittaja4765 technically a cotton bag is worse. Fertilizer for growing the cotton and the processing. You just would need to use the bag 1000 times and no one will use a canvas cotton bag more than 1000 times. I personally care nothing about CO2. It’s data we are guessing at. I’m more concerned about plastic bags flying in the wind and getting caught on this and that. I will try and bring plastic bags to the store to recycle. And use canvas when they are letting people do that again. The earth will be fine, it’s constantly recycling itself. Rock cycle, water cycle, jet stream, plates moving, magma rising.

[@doraspoljar697]

@@kristinesharp6286 what about linen and hemp fabrics?

[@kristinesharp6286]

@@doraspoljar697 I only read about cotton in comparison to paper and plastic. Growing thing usually need fertilizer. There is a reason cattle are worse than cars. The thing is the only thing that matters is waste.

[@CocoQTpie4u]

In Japan their recycling is excellent. Why in America can't we adopt the exact same model?!

[@nonconsensualopinion]

Because doing something right is expensive and we in the US prefer to maximize profit margins at all costs.

[@50jakecs]

@@nonconsensualopinion Well, expensive in the short-term is how the U.S. measures things. We don't think how much more expensive it is in the long-term - clean-up costs, increased health problems, environmental damage, pollution, etc.

[@Pikkabuu]

Because Americans cannot be humble and listen to others. They have to invent things themselves.

[@rosshoyt2030]

Great point about plastic recycling being a different beast than glass and paper. Im going to try to reduce plastic consumption

[@TahtahmesDiary]

Exactly that's what I've been doing lately. Just trying to avoid plastic. Glass jars at least I can reuse!

[@lynnhettrick7588]

I've been trying to do this for the last 2-3 years. It's very hard. Especially things like shampoo. CleanCult has some cleaning supplies that don't contain plastic. The pandemic really messed things up for a while. My state banned single use plastic bags 6 months before the pandemic but then halted that for several months. Now it's okay to use reusable bags again.

[@dickersondesigns3596]

Thanks for this video, you're always so informative! I would like to see legislation that forces companies who manufacture plastic packaging to pay per weight of their plastic production for their recycling. I have a good feeling that once the government tells them they have to pay for creating waste that our tax dollars in our towns pay to pick up, he might be a little bit more responsible about their production.

[@kristinesharp6286]

Garbage is a municipal matter.

[@wendilandkammer8368]

If the plastic is seen as raw material what would that change? If shredded plastic and shredded tires are mixed together could that be used to pave roads? If it adds flexability to roads wouldn't that reduce the wear and tear and reduce how often they need to be repaired? Can shredded plastic be used in 3-d printing? Can shredded plastic be used as insulation? What would happen if there was an option to take plastic bottles to the store and refill them with either more of what was in them or another consumable? That would give them more than one use. Can plastic be coated with UV protective paint so it could be used as roofing material? These are just a few thoughts.

[@javierdrake1803]

You have an awesome mind

[@wendilandkammer8368]

@@javierdrake1803 thank you. Your most kind.

[@lod2658]

Wow. Such great ideas! If any of these are possible it would help so much.

[@srock1321]

I totally agree that legislation has to be used to help, because I feel there is a lot of pressure on consumers and it is not right. Big corporations need to give us better choices, use less or no plastic. I try to buy bulk and bring my own containers, but it’s not always an option. I buy a lot of nuts and they are in plastic bags which are made from this wonky plastic that I don’t think can be recycled. The same with frozen fruit and veggies. Yes I try to buy fresh, but it’s not always readily available. We have to do better.

[@acevedeyt9551]

I love these videos but sometimes I won’t watch them because I get mad and stressed about these topics easily. I’m from Mexico and right now I’m conducting an investigation about recycling in my hometown, as curbside recycling is extremely uncommon here. I’ve been recycling for over 2 years now, and even tho prices are lowering, the places I go start to accept more materials, including plastics 4 and 5. Love your videos!

[@falsificationism]

Lucy is such a great presenter--I've been confused by plastic for so long. This, and the film Seaspiracy have really opened my eyes.

[@curitol5342]

Your work in all these informative videos are just GOLD, THANKS!

[@melvasaiel]

My town recycling system stopped accepting glass containers, because glass increases the weight of the recycling that the town has to pay to get rid of....apparently. We're just supposed to put glass in with regular garbage.

[@dragondancer1814]

Same with our town-they discontinued glass recycling several years ago despite the fact that glass can be recycled almost indefinitely. Their suggestion? Buy more items in plastic or metal. Fine and dandy in theory, but how many foods/liquids in glass jars or bottles CANNOT be bought in plastic? Relish, salsa, certain vinegars, liquor, certain beers, wine, some medications or antiseptics, maraschino cherries, jams, jellies, other fruit preserves, pickles...the list goes on. And like I said, glass can be recycled repeatedly, whereas plastic has a finite number of times and ways it can be recycled. IDIOTS!

[@mjc0961]

@@dragondancer1814 Yeah, we need more stuff in glass, not less. I want to buy less plastic but I find a lot of foods and liquids cannot be bought in glass, only plastic.

[@vash01000100]

Not using plastic is a good first step, but realistically what will stop companies from using plastic is cost. When big oil starts to die, it's byproduct (plastic) becomes more and more expensive. When it's too expensive, glass and other more recyclable materials will return.

[@AmaratMamu]

Bravo! We need more people like you! Thank you, I have learned a lot on this topic that have been a concern to me for years!!

[@vt96]

1.Reuse 2. Raise plastic material price by taxing manufacturers (refineries) similar to what we did to tobacco. Plastic supply chain being expensive will make other substitutes competitive

[@carochan86]

What about the fact plastic is a byproduct of oil.. What we really need to do is reduce oil use and use other forms.

[@marie-andreehould9859]

Always so helpful and informative! Thanks again for a great video.

[@Guvisha]

This was so necessary to be told! Recycling doesn’t work as it is, and it needs to change. I hope the common consumer can think about it the next time that consumes something plastic, I know I will.

[@ThomasBomb45]

The responsibility should not be on the consumer. The responsibility needs to be on the industry that creates all this waste. Consumer recycling was part of a campaign by the plastic industry to shift the blame from them to the general public

[@ravigopinathan2835]

@@ThomasBomb45 both are true. Consumer and the corporations have to do better. Government regulation of corporations is necessary, but plastic recycling even in these cases isn't economical and it uses lots of energy to melt and recycle, which inevitably causes pollution even if no ghg. Regarding consumers, if consumers buy less plastic or fly less, it will lower demand for those products/ that service. However, there has to be some way for a consumer to go zero waste, like by buying ingredients in reusable bags instead of packaged goods. This only works if things are sold in bulk. A lot of times the left wants to say that the individual/consumer has almost no agency to change things but if more consumers change buying habits they can have some agency to change what companies sell, or lower demand for certain goods.

[@ThomasBomb45]

@@ravigopinathan2835 yeah i agree with you for the most part. Existing plastic products are hard to recycle and produce lower quality materials so it's impossible to keep recycling plastic forever. As opposed to metals which can effectively be recycled effectively. The solution to this problem is eliminate plastics from the supply chain entirely, and the consumer can't do that themselves if they aren't given the option as you mentioned. That's why we need to put pressure on business to make the necessary changes. Additionally, consumers can't change all the plastic waste created in the middle of the stream. Consider the plastic wrap around pallet deliveries in grocery stores

[@ThomasBomb45]

@Mike F The most power we have as consumers is by influencing local, state, and federal regulations. Period. Unless you're upper middle class and above, then maybe you can afford to pay for the "green premium"

[@ThomasBomb45]

@Mike F I mean 6 beers a day is bad for you regardless of the recycling cost, lol. But metal is actually a much better material in terms of sustainability as it can be recycled indefinitely. Though if you want to be sustainable maybe you want to use kegs, since they are reusable which uses less energy than recycling. I'm all for encouraging people to make those things at home, but keep in mind that time isn't free. If i save $5 but spend an hour making something myself, well that's probably not smart unless i have a lot of free time

[@jutau]

Those food takeout containers on 5 and 6 are one use by most people. So it's still a big issue. Same with those solo cups.

[@anacapritropics1913]

What about the clear solo cups with *1* on them?

[@jutau]

@@anacapritropics1913 How many can actually get recycled when they get all types of food stains and oils after use? Many plastics get trashed because of contaminants. This is relying on people separating them and washing them before placing it in the recycle bin. People in general are fairly lazy when they have to sort their trash.

[@anacapritropics1913]

@@jutau Gotcha.

[@yamaldawadad7324]

@@jutau always wash before recycling, I do.

[@bobbygreenthumb146]

Thank you so much for this video! I learned so much and many of my questions were answered. Everything was very well presented and informative. I will definitely subscribe to your channel! 👍🏼

[@davidkoenig8592]

Great video. My area (east of Atlanta, GA) the curbside recycling has stopped taking glass about a year ago. We can still cart it to a local recycling center into the different colored glass bins. The sad truth is that most industry/businesses do not recycle even the basics and they produce the most waste of all. Kinda negates the whole process on the consumer side. I still recycle the best I can, but my enthusiasm for it is definitely less than years ago.

[@daverobau9656]

Great video. Excellent job researching the issue, Lucy. You nailed it!

[@drwex]

The core problem I see is that recycling is the tail of the dog. Years ago I worked on a campaign to promote "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" with the goal of lessening waste, encouraging reuse wherever possible, and only recycling as a last resort. You mentioned expansion of a bottle/can deposit, which is a small step in encouraging reuse. That's also useful and necessary. But the really important steps need to address reduction. Removing excess packaging, discouraging unnecessary wrapping of individual items and so on. There are always going to be cases like medical or dental supplies where individual wrapping is an important safety measure. But there's really no reason why some teabags should come in individual plastic wrap, and then the box is also wrapped in plastic and then sold in a set of three boxes where the set is again wrapped in plastic. Packaging standards are hard to set, so consumer awareness and smart choices can have an impact. Bottom line: yes, we need to fix a broken recycling system. But that has to be a last step, where the first step is to stop material entering the recycle stream at all.

[@Janotes]

My favorites are the toothpaste in a tube in a box. Bar soap in some cases shrink wrapped in a box, I guess its For the convenience of placing the items on store shelves..

[@hungryjack8032]

Single serve snacks and other food items that have become the norm at the grocery stores are a problem. People are lazy and can't be bothered to grab a portion of cheese, nuts, and fruit so companies have done it for them.

[@ianuragaggarwal]

Salute to those who are doing their bit to heal mother planet.

[@gracekellman8049]

This is a fantastic video. Sent it to like 10 people lol.

[@NAConen]

I typed it out in letter format and mailed it to 307 colleagues

[@alansolomon5527]

I am interested in a few things you mentioned in this video. They definitely caught my attention. You did a great job providing pertinent information and getting it out to the public. I am passionate about fixing our recycling problem along with helping our environment, our planet, supporting wildlife and stopping climate change. This video has given me some suggestions and ideas to help support recycling in the future. Thank you.

[@mrav8r]

Lucy this is an excellent video. I would like to See Loop store work with Amazon so that we can purchase items on Amazon and use loop packaging solutions.

[@matthewleconey9813]

I haven't heard of Loop before, but they seem awesome! It's exactly the solution I've been thinking of for a long time now. Industries needs a solution like Loop in a universal durable and reusable container system. The efficiency at it's current scale is probably low since transportation inefficiency may degrade a lot of its environmental benefits. If it was adopted widescale for all sorts of goods, we'd be on to a packaging system that actually worked. I'm impressed by the companies that have already partnered with Loop, and it gives me hope that industries are giving these solutions serious thought. Working with Amazon to create reusable packaging sounds like a brilliant idea and something Amazon would not be opposed to given other efforts they've made in lower packaging products.

[@cauthoncrazy]

Bezos doesn't need any more of our money.

[@KM-pm6qe]

Loop-like solutions will never become industry standard until the government requires it.

[@kevindexterpattee]

Great video. So many of these types of videos on recycling and the environment are hard to watch and super depressing. Thanks for educating AND entertaining us:)

[@blakebro1]

Great videos, Lucy and the team! They are so inspiring and eye-opening!

[@nikilragav]

Thanks for the video. I would love to see a follow up on compostables and compostable plastics like the cups used at blaze pizza. I think composting is a much more viable long-term solution (assuming it actually works) because no sorting is required, and there's little need to worry about contaminants, unlike recycling

[@IanCunningham92]

I asked someone about recycling at my university and they said the numbers don't mean anything when it comes to whether they can be recycled. He said that's because it's more complicated than what kind of plastic it's made out of, but also the process through which it was manufactured. Clearly there needs to be simpler standard that normal people can actually understand.

[@grayeaglej]

Here on the farm we compost and recycle as much as we can ourselves, using those materials to repair/build things we need. Food containers like tin cans and plastic bottles are especially useful.

[@HowToChangeName]

Actually you forgot the part that that plastic class number isn't include certain parts like bottle cap and label so you must scrap and separate that part to its class (if you know their class). In China they can do that without problem due to cheap labor to separate them manually, otherwise it'll taints entire recycle system.

[@hungryjack8032]

@@maracle6 they stopped using the rubber seal on inside. Now caps can be recycled. Metal caps from glass bottles go with cans as the rubber liner melts out when cans are melted.

[@soILLitsADVISED]

The key is in creating more intentional multi use plastics. That way what we begin to produce, is no longer 70% incompatible with our recycling systems

[@TinaPastore]

Great job, Lucy!

[@burprobrox9134]

I had quit recycling plastic years ago. Looks like I should restart 1 and 2. Thanks!

[@suzanneb6608]

I recently learned that our region takes our recyclables straight to the landfill. The company that handled these items went bankrupt a few years ago. The recycling bins are still out but the city just takes them straight to the landfill.

[@TheDeadbone1961]

Thank you for the video, great information!

[@jaywyse7150]

I am cosmically overwhelmed by all of this and everything else we can't fix.

[@MilnaAlen]

It's so weird that you have just one bin for all recyclables? In Finland most places have separate bins for paper, cardboard, plastic, metal and glass, plus bins for compost and general waste.

[@knabhishek]

It was Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Recycle was the last option not the first one!!

[@calihiker7980]

This was a very good video. I had been wondering about what goes where

[@PRDreams]

Stop buying 3-7 plastics. Buy reusables instead. Reach out to brands you love (incl. Take-out restaurants you enjoy) and ask for them to change to reusable containers or to switch to paper, cardboard boxes, glass, or aluminums, and plastic 1 and 2 which are all recyclable within the USA. 7 billion people can change the industry if we push for change.

[@ryancruz1876]

Stop buying so much in general!

[@jackt8295]

Excellent video. Thanks for doing your part to save our earth.

[@ianuragaggarwal]

Great channel! Serious thought given to this cause.

[@stevenabel1232]

Great video. Part of the solution can be to stop buying plastics that are not recyclable, but sometimes that is not even an option. Hate to see regulation as the only way out, but perhaps that is what it will take. Consumption versus Conservation (wise use) is part of the equation. Thank you for making this, helpful education.

[@guillermojarne2803]

Great video!

[@mjc0961]

10:53 - Incorrect. Corporations have to stop making and selling so much plastic. I'm sick of this "blame the end user" mentality when the end user often can't do anything. Go after the corporations, they're the ones responsible for this and they're the ones who need to end it. 11:56 - Now she's making sense.

[@7utubeuser7]

This post should have an edit concerning plastic 4, LDPE. This is most plastic shopping (and similar) bags in this country. Clean bags of this plastic are recycled through drop-off locations at many grocery and bid box stores. This may not be as convenient as curbside recycling programs, but we're all in it together. LDPE material is used to make items such "plastic" wood for deck, benches etc.

[@tomasolsson8666]

One thing that is normal in Sweden and Norway, that I think is weird that other countries don't adopt is that we pay a pledge on our softdrinks, It´s like 0,24 USD per container. And when we return to the containers to the supermarket we will get the pledge money back. I think it is a excellent way to encourage people to recycle better. And it gets easier for our waste handling system to handle the countries household waste, because it is not as mixed.

[@bledsoetx]

The US used that system effectively for decades . . . . before the plastics industry ruined the glass bottle business. Once plastics appeared, the deposit system went away. Some states have restarted the system for plastic bottles, but it's piecemeal, not uniform, etc. so it's highly ineffective.

[@primeronumero9336]

Good info many thanks 😊

[@angiericouard792]

I’m going to have to start checking my numbers. I mostly have paper, aluminum and bring my glass to a local place that recycles for sandbags and such. I’ve been cutting plastics as much as possible where I can already.

[@mybusylife2158]

We have dramatically reduced the amount of plastic trash we produce over the last year. Went from three bags in two weeks for a two people, one cat household to one bag every two weeks and we are still in the process of reducing. It's possible to tremendously reduce your plastic consumption without making uncomfortable lifestyle changes. I always tell people just to ease into it. The more you do it, the easier it gets. And the goal is not to produce no waste at all. The goal is to do better. We don't need 7 billion people to live a perfect zero waste lifestyle. We need 7 billion people who do better. Some can do more than others and that's fine. Just try implementing small changes one by one and you will quickly see a ripple effect.

[@TheSekaf]

In the era of capitalism I would like to see that the governments around the world do not have to deal with our trash. In my opinion, the producers themselves should deal with it. Then they would hopefully rethink the whole issue with pollution. And if not, governments should apply worldwide ban on single-use items.

[@GreenDolphinProject]

That is the hope and dream! Putting responsibility on the manufacturers!

[@TheSekaf]

@@jesse_slaughter yeah, that's just some silly politics. However, I think that even Coca Cola would start to rethink their main business paths, if people (their customers) decide that they won't buy anything else except glass, reusable or compostable bottles.

[@TheSekaf]

@@GreenDolphinProject I hope we will reach that dream one day soon :)

[@theworldneedsmorehippies]

HA! You think that the capitalist corporations that produce these single-use totally irresponsible plastics will make any change without the incentive from governments? Then you are absolutely wrong. It has to start with us, the civilians, asking the government to create restrictions and responsible laws so these companies have to change their ways.

[@TheSekaf]

@@theworldneedsmorehippies Like you said - it has to start with us. Governments can be great friends with those companies, but if we decide to avoid their products, they will surely rethink their business path.

[@jaysoreal9292]

I'm going to stop buying plastics as much as possible

[@tommccutchan3508]

My town recently dropped their entire recycling program. They dropped all plastic recycling the year before and dropped glass recycling a long time ago.

[@emilyarchibald1900]

Very good video!

[@seansmith3058]

Good program. I'd like to see some follow-up on the industries opposing this bill and ones like it. In California they have beaten back several attempts over the last few years. Also a look at the various microbes that are being discovered that can eat plastic and the use and misuse of that would be interesting to see.

[@sentisenlajamir1019]

Good documentation.

[@personwhosreal811]

We should start rewiring companies to help pay for the recycling of the materials they produce.

[@ryancruz1876]

We should stop buying plastic products all together.

[@andydutton455]

great info

[@stellazhou9061]

Wow! I always wondered what the numbers where for.

[@geraldine3058]

Your town’s website might have a section specifically for recycling. Mine does which showed me I could recycle textiles or fabrics

[@hungryjack8032]

St.Vincent DePaul takes all textiles in my town, even the damaged and soiled ones. They get recycled and turned into car insulation and other like products.

[@Morbidt123]

you should also mention mixes of recycleable materials, and how it renders recycling them impossible (like the famous example of the pringles can, where it's made out of paper and aluminum, which are both seperately recycleable but when put together like that it's unrecycleable)

[@MelindaGreen]

I'd love to see deposits on plastic containers like we do for glass, and require the manufacturers to take them back and recycle them. That will make them immediately switch to plastics 1 & 2.

[@feonline9789]

Sometimes cans and plastic bottles have paper attached to them with glue. Can I leave the paper on when I recycle them? I've tried taking the paper off but the glue is a lot harder to get off and the glue is sometimes sticky so it will stick to paper and cardboard materials in the bin. So I sometimes leave the paper on.

[@jonschmidt5112]

Corporations have, frankly, been lying to us for 40-50 years about the viability of recycling plastics. So little plastic gets recycled and it is usually downcycled. We need national legislation (BFFPP has recently been introduced) that will hold producers accountable. We as consumers also need to be aware of the problem of plastics and adjust our lifestyles.

[@gaillewis5472]

When I was a kid, beverages were sold in either glass or aluminum containers. Now, only alcohol beverages are sold in either glass or aluminum. Paper milk cartons were only in schools, nothing was made of styrofoam and water came from the faucet or fountain. Plastic production IS the problem.

[@FreeWorldSpirit313]

Check out liquid death. It's a water company that are in aluminum cans instead of plastic bottles. But what really cool is you can buy prepaid shipping labels and they encourage you to send your bottles back to Pepsi and Coco cola companies.

[@GreenDolphinProject]

I'm all for the zero waste movement where possible, reusables and putting the recycling responsibility on the manufacturers.

[@franknuzzo2576]

They tried reusable bags, then coronavirus happened and they went back to plastic for health reasons.

[@nicolemcwilliams3015]

Remember you're going to have to go with state-by-state to find out how they handled cycling if they Handel's Ice Recycling and sometimes you have to do county-by-county in that state cuz there are certain counties that don't recycle in that state

[@mmorissette8687]

The fundemental problem is that we use too much plastic, and too much single use plastic. Consumers have a huge impact on manufacturers: simply refuse using unrecycable products. In time, they will have to find alternative solutions. It is possible !

[@solidaverage]

And, very important, don’t forget your power as a voter! Ultimately this will require elected officials that are willing to stand up to business and enact hard regulations with real teeth.

[@bledsoetx]

@@solidaverage Which means the GOP is NOT the group to effect any change to how business operates.

[@CatsOfMarrakech]

we just need to use glass bottles that are refillable. it worked perfectly well for decades for soda.

[@bledsoetx]

They also used returnable bottles for beer, etc. before about the 50's. In fact, I remember that "long neck" beer bottles were returnable well into the 1970's as were coke bottles, etc.

[@lynnhettrick7588]

My state has a 5 cent deposit for aluminum cans, glass bottles, and some plastic soda/water bottles.

[@simonschertler3034]

Happy to be a European 😉 Recycling has to be done by low. And in worst case it ends up as fuel in a cement plant. Even if you aren't using the recycling bins (8 different bins for brown glass, green glass, white glass, plastic, paper/cardboard, kitchen and garden waste, metal and electronic waste (at the recycling center)) and you don't get a red sticker on your general waste bin. the general waste is used the heat the city and to generate electricity. Our recycling center has 37 different Waste containers and only one ends up at a landfill site. Metal scrap Wood Toxic wood Metal cans Mixed plastic for recycling Small and big electronic waste Freezers Old paint Other toxic chemicals (different drums) Light bulbs and tubs Styrofoam 3 kinds of batteries Brown, green, white glass bottles Recyclable construction waste Non recyclable construction waste (landfill) Combustible waste like sofas Old clothing and shoes Cable scrap And some bins for non ferrous metals (behind a fence)

[@Fabdanc]

My favorite example of how broken our recycling system is... trash bag manufactures creating "recycling bags" to put your recycling in knowing all well that the majority of recycling facilities cannot process plastic film, which may make a plant discard the entire batch or clog machinery. Another good one... people using a reusable shopping bag at the grocery store, but putting all their produce in individual plastic bags. Those limes you got, they came in their protective skin... I think they are okay to hang out next to your broccoli and zucchini in the same bag.

[@allyourcode]

Important question not addressed here: why do companies love to use unrecyclable materials for their packaging and single use products? Is passing a law the only way to make them stop? Ideally, a superior material would be available. Then, you wouldn't need to force them to do anything; they'd rush to do it on their own. Maybe, such materials exist, but are not widely known, or companies are just used to what they've done before, and need a little push to try something different? Towns where I live have passed bans on single use plastic bags. I'm not really sure that this is working, because what stores have done is switch to a heavier "multiple use" bag, but I think most people do not actually reuse these (I started reusing those bags recently, and they really do work just fine). Theoretically, the old single use bags were recyclable, but you could not put them in your curb site recycling. Instead, you had to bring them to collection points. I think that they have since removed the collection points after the ban went into effect. Yes, ultimately, the solution is to stop producing unrecyclable materials. If the only way to do that is to ban such materials, then let's do it. But before we do that, let's try to understand why companies love them so much.

[@itslikethesamebutdifferent8020]

I lost hope of recycling in 2006 when i saw the movie the Uncomfortable Truth. In it was said that basically in order to have had any impact on our world, we had to have started recycling 50 yrs before. That there was little we can do now basically recycling wouldn’t have an impact. That clinched it for me.

[@fennwenn3317]

I wonder how much an impact I'll make if I only buy glass-bottled items. There's not much of them, but it's better.

[@Kirtahl]

I live in the country in texas. When I lived in the city, I recycled. I cannot anymore because there is no pickup or center near me.

[@ehkaspar]

The arrow symbol on plastics isn't actually the recycling symbol, it's a "resin identification code" and I'm not just being pedantic, it was created by the plastics industry and it's just ever so slightly different which (intentionally?) misleads people into thinking all plastics are recyclable. It is indeed used to sort for recycling as stated in the video but it does not indicate that a given plastic item is, was or ever will be recyclable as many of us think. The logo actually been changed to just a triangle with no arrows to be less misleading but manufacturers aren't required to update so the arrows and confusion live on.

[@77stephani77]

I agree with you, but we all need to demand better from these companies, if they don’t change stop buying their items.....companies have the money to change, should stop pushing it off on us the consumer...thx for video..

[@free2binnh]

Containers can be made from hemp, they break down in a short period of time and leaves petroleum in the ground where it belongs. Maine built this trash facility which separates recyclables from trash, at least now, people who refuse to recycle get their trash looked at for recyclables. I used to recycle, but now everything gets mangled all together in the trash bin. I wish recycling was still around, where everything was sorted and not mixed together.

[@angusosborne3151]

Here in Canada we shipped containers of mostly garbage overseas. Eventually years later they started shipping them back. We probably just buried the container and all.

[@hannahchen3176]

The US needs to change many things. First, we need to have more different sizes for collecting waste and charge differently. In my city, we only have 2 sizes and both are quite big and expensive. I think if they change the system, people will think and pay more attention to "reduce, reuse, and recycle". Second, the government and community need to do more. We should limit the usage of cheap, short-life products. Charging more tax on those things to develop a better recycling system. Today, there is no much motivation for many people except for those who really care about the environment.

[@MilnaAlen]

I´m glad that Finland actually does well with recycling, but I´m sad that my apartment complex only has one bin for everything, and the nearest public recycling bins are 4 kilometres away, way too far to be worth it. I do recycle bottles and cans, clothing and anything dangerous like batteries and electronics. I mean glass and metal gets recycled anyway, it's just more work for the poor workers. And I hope it doesn't make much diffrence whether the paper is used to make recycled paper or burned for bioenergy.

[@garyfeng9528]

How am i supposed to quote this for my research paper? It is REALLY useful

[@februaryschild0216]

There are such things as biodegradable plastic. In my county, they don't take glass. I no longer use water bottles. But, still there is so much packaging. Even if it's paper, there's an outer plastic wrap. Then there's the plastic grocery bag. It's in everything. If not on the package, it lines the package. Petrochemicals is a huge industry. We're eating plastic in our fish. Something has to change.

[@AbbyS228]

Hold large corporations more accountable. Individuals can change literally everything about how they live and it would never make enough of a change to have a significant impact. I’m speaking from experience. We are a extremely eco friendly family and we try our best but honestly when we take a second to stop and look around at everyone we know and see that they aren’t doing a third of what we are (and don’t have any interest in learning about or trying to change) it’s extremely disheartening. Honestly why should they change when companies make it so easy to buy cheap throw away garbage. I literally cry sometimes thinking about the fact that our four year old is going to inherit a severely damaged planet. It will most likely have a impact on her choice to start a family someday. It may impact her career choice...saving the planet may be a huge determining factor in so many of her big life choices. It’s honestly terrifying what is happening and what may come. 😔

[@davidalmeida2991]

Great video, thank you so much! Like always, pressure has to be from the bottom up because politician are in bed with corporations. The People have to strike fear in their hearts about they loosing their jobs if they don’t do the right thing, and always stress the argument of job creation with the Green New Deal which includes a transition from fossil fuels to renewables but also stronger environmental laws

[@The_Mister]

The government should create incentives for manufacturers to use recycled plastics. For example, no sales tax on items made from recycled plastic.

[@bledsoetx]

Or . . . . GLASS