US plastic recycling ‘failing’, says Greenpeace

Environmental campaign group Greenpeace says recycling in the US has ‘largely failed’ with recycling rates down from 9.5% in 2014 to less than 6% today.

A new hard-hitting report, Merchants of Myth, alleges major brands such as Coca-Cola, Unilever and Nestlé are withdrawing from sustainability commitments while continuing to rely on single-use plastic packaging.

‘Our team of researchers also uncovered the effort by the plastic industry, retailers, prominent plastic-reliant brands and related trade associations – the so-called “Merchants of Myth” – to mislead the public, protect their profits and delay regulatory action,’ the group says.

‘Toxic lie’

The report also claims the US plastic industry is undermining meaningful plastic regulation by making false claims about the recyclability of their products to avoid bans and to reduce public backlash.

John Hocevar, Greenpeace USA oceans campaigner director, calls recycling a ‘toxic lie’ that is being propped up by a pro-plastic narrative emanating from President Donald Trump’s White House.

‘These corporations and their partners continue to sell the public a comforting lie to hide the hard truth: that we simply have to stop producing so much plastic. Instead of investing in real solutions, they’ve poured billions into public relations campaigns that keep us hooked on single-use plastic while our communities, oceans, and bodies pay the price.’

Inadequate recycling

Greenpeace accuses corporations of ‘ramping up’ disinformation and aggressive lobbying. Other findings from the report include:

• up to 43% percent of US households lack access to basic recycling services and that participation in recycling is decreasing
• of the 380 municipal recycling facilities nationwide, only 46 can process common consumer plastics
• only one of six ‘advanced recycling’ plants can handle mixed post-consumer waste
• the public pays for the collection and sorting of plastics while most ends up in the landfill