Updated On 06/04/2018 | Originally Published On 09/17/2015
participate
kWh
-
Plastics take hundreds of years to break down when they’re sent to landfills
-
Recycling plastic saves fuel and reduces pollution by reducing the need to extract raw materials from the earth
-
A vast amount of plastic pollutes our oceans and waterways and ends up in our food system
-
All of the above
These are just a few reasons why it’s better to recycle than to let plastics go to waste, but there are a few other big ones, too.
-
Doing so supports the recycling industry, which supports an estimated 3.5 million US jobs
-
A ton of recycled plastic saves enough electricity to power an average home for 6 months!
-
A ton of plastic made of recycled instead of virgin plastic saves over 2,200 pounds CO2
-
All of the above
When you combine an action that’s good for the environment and the economy, you can really start to inspire people!
-
When you need plastic products, buy ones made of recycled plastic whenever possible
-
Only put accepted plastics in your curbside bin (ask your hauler if you're unsure)
-
Make sure your plastic recyclables are clean and dry before dropping them in the bin
-
All of the above
Following recycling rules and buying recycled plastic items over virgin plastic items are good ways to help the circular economy.
WHERE ARE WE HEADED?
From tech to take-out, we find plastics in many products that make contemporary life possible. But once used, most plastics get lost to the trash or the environment. This is a huge loss of a resource that when recycled would provide jobs and reduce pollution. Let's take a closer look.
