The rate of plastic waste recycling in the United States fell to between 5%-6% in 2021 as some countries stopped accepting U.S. waste exports and as plastic waste generation surged to new highs, according to a report released on Wednesday.
Highlights
- Report: U.S.
- plastic waste recycling rate fell to between 5-6% in 2021.
- Decline coincides with a sharp drop in plastic waste exports, which had counted as recycled plastic.
- China and Turkey have since implemented plastic import bans and other countries set plastic waste contamination limits.
- Per capita plastic waste went from 60 pounds per year in 1980 to 218 pounds in 2018 - a 263% total increase.
- The petrochemical and plastic industry has been advocating for improved recycling across the country but is facing pressure to curb its production of virgin plastic.