The typical American creates over 250 pounds of plastic waste each year! Not surprising, much of this waste starts out as packaging. What happens to all our plastic waste and how it is recycled or not is a problem. Even today and even if you have a recycling bin. Why? Because many people are confused about what should go into their recycling bins.
Part of the problem is not all communities recycle the same things and putting the wrong things in your recycling bin can make it difficult if not impossible for your local recycling program to work.
NPR created this interactive portion of their website that explores some of the plastics recycling systems were designed to handle. And also, it explains why some plastic packaging shouldn’t go in your recycling bin. The interactive starts with what plastics you might end up getting from the grocery store.
Update: New plastic recycling process promises to solve the problems.
