The Fraud of Plastic Recycling

[darkoshi]

The Fraud of Plastic Recycling

Through new and existing research, “The Fraud of Plastic Recycling” shows how Big Oil and the plastics industry have deceptively promoted recycling as a solution to plastic waste management for more than 50 years, despite their long-standing knowledge that plastic recycling is not technically or economically viable at scale.

It is a long report, but the most pertinent parts are in the first sections.

Comments

[frith]

Yep, recyclable plastic, a great way to whitewash a petroleum product and get people to think that plastic overuse is OK and normal. It's the little non-solution that perpetuates the product (fossil fuel extraction). The tobacco industry is the role model for this type of manipulation of perception. Filter cigarettes, "light" cigarettes, scented/flavored cigarettes, doctor recommended cigarettes, sport event sponsorship, nicotine patches/gum, vaping, flu vaccine development...

[lhexan]

I didn't make it far in the report, owing to the despair it invoked. There is this side benefit to the corporate marketing: it also raises support for other, more viable forms of recycling, namely paper and metal.