Wishcycling and the Life Cycle of Plastic

Reprinted from the June 2021 edition of CRAP-Free Zone w/Vali by Vali G. Heist, Certified Professional Organizer® and owner of The Clutter Crew

 

Most Americans don't give a second thought about placing something plastic into the recycling bin because, in a perfect world, plastic should be recycled, right? We are in an environmental crisis after all. But our recycling centers have a problem. Because so many of us are Wishcycling. Wishycling is the process of adding an item to your recycling bin without knowing if it is actually recyclable. Just because it’s made of plastic doesn’t mean it is recyclable. 

 

And yes, you'll find the little recycling arrows on just about every piece of plastic, but it really doesn’t mean anything. The manufacturers of those products aren’t being totally truthful and aren’t investing in the systems that we need to get all plastic recycled. The reason we think recycling is working is that the plastic industry has spent 30 years on multimillion-dollar campaigns saying that it is working. Using less plastic should have been the message all along. (What's Gone Wrong with Recycling from Consumer Reports)

Maybe you are already aware that recycling isn't working. The true life cycle of plastic is the problem, and we can’t bury, burn, or recycle our way out of the crisis of plastic. The Story of Plastic is a four minute animated short about the life cycle of plastic. After you've viewed it, please share it. It really is worth the time! 

 

The Truth about Plastic:

32% of plastic ends up as trash in the environment (rivers, oceans)

40% goes to the landfills for the next generation to deal with

14% is burned to produce toxic smoke and ash

14% is recycled into more single use plastic or other items 

 

Back to recycling our own plastic; recycling centers are asking us to place all non-recyclable, questionable, or problematic items (e.g. hoses, hula hoops, Tupperware) into the trash to prevent contamination. If you’re not sure, Google the answer or call the recycling center in your area to get clarification. You’re actually doing more harm than good if you are sending your trash to the recycling center.

 

DO RECYCLE:

*Plastics with symbols #1 and #2

*CLEAN cardboard and mixed paper products 

*Rinsed and dried aluminum containers

and glass containers

 

DO NOT RECYCLE:

*Paper and foam coffee cups

*Plastic shopping bags

*Greasy pizza boxes

*Plastic utensils and straws

*Coffee pods (“K-Cups”)

*All Styrofoam, films, and plastic pieces smaller than a credit card

*Containers with food and drink residue

 

Finally, as you continue to decide on what to donate and recycle, think about what you are bringing into your home in the first place. The less you bring in, the less you have to donate, recycle, and trash. So much of what we are buying these days is ending up in the landfills, and could still be there years from now. 

 

Pro tip: Think before you buy and think before you throw! 

 

STOP WISHCYCLING, START SMARTER RECYCLING

REUSEABLE GROCERY BAGS, LESS SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAGS

MORE GLASS, LESS PLASTIC