Most people are aware of the “reduce, reuse, recycle” thing that created a lot of buzz worldwide lately. For those unaware of the recycling (which is unlikely), is the process of collecting, processing, and reusing materials that otherwise, would end up in the landfill. There are quite a lot of benefits when it comes to recycling, such as:
- Protecting natural resources
- Reduce environmental pollution
- Decrease the amount of waste in landfills
There is no law that mandates recycling, but recycling legislation is limited through cities or states. States across the globe are responsible for the management of waste and can develop recycling goals.
The global waste recycling services market was evaluated at $53.71 billion in 2019, but it’s expected to grow considerably in the future years. Considering the waste increases and environmental impacts, the global waste recycling services will reach $80.3 billion by 2027, increasing at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 5.2%.
Global Plastics Recycling
While many products and materials can’t be recycled, it’s plastic waste that grows in concern in recent years. Wherever you look there is plastic waste polluting marine pictures that have increased consumer demand for increased recycling across the world. In 1950, 10 billion metric tons of plastic has been produced worldwide – but only a small percentage of it has ever been recycled.
In a world full of disposables, recycling has become one of the most essential things ever. Yet, when it comes to recycling, companies and individuals alike repurpose their investments and consider recycling as an important process to maintain a healthy and clean environment. However, it’s unfortunate that nowadays recycling processes don’t run as smoothly as they should. In point of fact, the proportion of recycling that gets recycled is quite honest, alarming.
According to EPA, the U.S. produce more than 35 million tons of plastic per year. Only around 94.2 million tons of waste was recycled in 2017- that’s 35% of the total amount, and only 8% of the plastic were recycled. This makes things look alarming. That’s why many businesses opt for reliable commercial waste collection services to ensure proper recycling and waste management.
Planet or plastic? The choice is yours.
Plastic is indeed a very visible part of the society we live in, and how we manifest ourselves with our surroundings. So, it’s about what you choose to buy, to use, how you choose to live your life, as linked to plastic is something related to who you are as a human being. It’s not like you can’t make a change. Everybody can take action of reducing plastic or looking for ways to be more sustainable. It means that we all could really start by making small changes.
The sad reality? Not all plastic that gets into the bin is recycled. There are many reasons because of this, including lack of ROI to unsuitable management. Things turn even worse during the global pandemic, and much of the plastic recycled in the USA was subcontracted to China. On the same page, reports say that China no longer accepts most of the USA recycling.
Plastic, glass, metals, and paper – are the most common types of recycling materials, but they should all be recycled differently, as they’re not created equal.
Plastic – This will likely come as no surprise, but according to National Geographic, 91% of the world’s plastic is not recycled. Does it mean that only around 9% gets recycled? It’s a sad truth, but with less and less plastic being recycled, we’re eventually going to end up no longer recycling at all. As considered, 91% of plastic sits in landfills, decomposing slowly into dangerous microplastics. By 2050, around 12 billion metric tons of plastic will exist in landfills worldwide.
And because plastic is everywhere, most of it ends up in the ocean, breaking into smaller pieces. These particles are called microplastics. Marine life and birds can eat those tiny bits of plastic, thinking it’s food. Research is still needed to conclude the real impact of microplastics. All we know is that they represent a huge problem.
Microplastics – Small pieces of plastic (less than 5 mm long), which can be extremely damaging to oceans and marine life. Plastic is known as the most dangerous enemy of marine life. Plastic debris can come in all shapes and sizes, but microplastic is the size of a sesame seed. The NOAA Marine Debris Program is making efforts within NOAA to research this topic, as there aren’t many studies made on microplastics and their impacts yet. You can keep plastic out of the ocean by using balers and compactors for waste and recycling. Remember: reduce, reuse, recycle.
Recycling Rates Worldwide
Recycling rates can vary greatly. Germany is the country with the highest recycling rate of 68%. Compared to the U.S. with just 32%. The price of products can be a big common factor in low recycling rates, as it’s often cheaper to produce plastic from raw materials rather than used materials.
The 5 best recycling countries across the world
- Germany, as mentioned, has the highest recycling rate worldwide (68%).
- Wales, UK is flying high with a 52% recycling rate recorded in 2018.
- South Korea enjoyed success with a recycling rate of 53.7%.
- Austria has a recycling rate of 53.8%.
These statistics aren’t all currently made, but they’re as accurate as possible. It’s a golden rule we were taught since we were kids: to reduce, reuse, and recycle. But for some reason, recycling is still a problem. As people continue to learn more and more about going green, is clear that recycling is the least important activity people do. Sure, it’s important, but how many efforts do you make to recycle? Hopefully, this doesn’t sound too hyperbolic, but saving the planet shouldn’t be a choice anymore, but a necessity and responsibility.
While it’s important to recycle, many of us don’t understand exactly why. Indeed, recycling can be tricky, but it still remains important. Keep researching all the benefits recycling has and how it can positively change the planet.
