The Great Fraud of Plastic Recycling : plastics producers deceived public about recycling, the Center for Climate Integrity (CCI) Report reveals.
In a damning revelation, a new report accuses plastic producers of misleading the public about the viability of recycling, alleging that these corporations have perpetuated a myth for over five decades. Despite touting recycling as a panacea for plastic waste, the industry has long been aware that it is neither technically nor economically feasible, according to findings from the Center for Climate Integrity Research (CCI). This report, drawing on existing studies and newly uncovered internal documents, could lay the groundwork for potential legal actions.
RELEVANT SUSTAINABLE GOALS
The Fraud of Plastic Recycling
Richard Wiles, CCI President, emphasized the need for accountability, stating, “When corporations and trade groups know that their products pose grave risks to society, and then lie to the public and policymakers about it, they must be held accountable.” He advocates for an end to the deception, a commitment to transparency, and reparations for the environmental damage caused.
The report exposes the strategic use of marketing and public education campaigns to promote the recyclability of plastic, despite clear knowledge within the industry of its impracticality. This allowed the proliferation of single-use plastics while sidestepping regulations aimed at mitigating waste and pollution. Historical documents, such as a 1986 Vinyl Institute report, explicitly state recycling’s limitations in addressing the plastic waste issue. Furthermore, the inherent difficulties in recycling plastic—owing to its diverse types, the costly process of collection and sorting, and its degradation after minimal reuse—were known yet ignored as companies continued to push recycling narratives.
One emblematic example of misleading marketing is the ‘chasing arrows’ symbol, suggesting recyclability even when the industry foresaw the challenges posed by composite containers. Exxon Chemical’s Vice President, Irwin Levowitz, candidly remarked in 1994 about the industry’s focus on activities rather than outcomes, revealing a disregard for the efficacy of recycling efforts.
Internal notes from a 1995 American Plastics Council meeting acknowledged the economic inviability of recycled plastics against virgin materials, further highlighting the industry’s duplicity.
The report suggests that this widespread deception could constitute a violation of consumer protection laws and calls for legal scrutiny by attorneys general and other officials. This adds to a series of legal challenges facing plastic producers, including investigations into ExxonMobil’s role in the plastic pollution crisis and lawsuits against companies like PepsiCo for contributing to environmental degradation.
Is Recycling Plastic Still Justifiable?
Richard Wiles, CCI President, emphasized the need for accountability, stating, “When corporations and trade groups know that their products pose grave risks to society, and then lie to the public and policymakers about it, they must be held accountable.” He advocates for an end to the deception, a commitment to transparency, and reparations for the environmental damage caused.
The European Strategy for Plastics in the Circular Economy has set an ambitious goal: by 2025, it aims to reincorporate 10 million tonnes of recycled plastics into new products within the EU. This is against the backdrop of nearly 26 million tonnes of plastic waste produced annually in Europe, highlighting the importance of recycling in the broader context of reducing plastic waste.
Lead image courtesy of Tom Fisk from Pexels ( Drone Shot of Landfill)
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