The majority of the US plastic waste no longer meets the purity standards set by the countries (mainly China) to which the US has been selling it. This has created a glut in the plastic waste market that cannot be absorbed by US markets.
Help reduce the amount of plastic waste you generate by:
- Limiting your use of single-use plastic (bottled water, soda, juice etc.) In 1960, Americans consumed thirty pounds of plastic, compared to over 300 pounds of plastic each year in modern day.
- Re-using what you can.
- Buying local. You’ll avoid a lot of packaging by shopping at farmers markets.
- Composting your food scraps. This will cut recycling contamination and a huge portion of your trash.
- “Recycling” what’s left.