Today, Explained Burn, baby, burn
Sep 20, 2019
Noam Hassenfeld, a producer and reporter focused on environmental issues, discusses the grim reality of plastic recycling in the U.S., revealing that most plastics aren't recycled but often incinerated instead. He contrasts U.S. waste management with advanced systems in Europe, highlighting the debate over recycling versus incineration. The podcast dives into the recycling crisis fueled by China's import ban and challenges the belief that recycling is always eco-friendly, exploring whether burning plastic might be a more viable solution in certain circumstances.
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US Recycling Crisis
- The US recycling system is in crisis due to low demand for recyclables and rising costs.
- China's ban on importing American recycling has worsened the situation.
China's Recycling Ban
- China banned the import of most recycled plastic in 2018, disrupting global recycling.
- The US recycling rate for plastic has always been low, around 9%.
Plastic Recycling Complexities
- Different types of plastic must be separated for effective recycling.
- Contamination further reduces the amount of plastic that can be recycled.