Using Less Plastic and Reuse What You Already Have

We need to use less plastic and reuse the plastic we already have. There are some great initiatives that maximize recycling, but the bottom line is that only 8.7% of plastic is ever recycled. Recycling is not a success story. It’s cheaper to produce new plastic products than to collect, clean and recycle used plastic which, in any event, degrades over time. With the small percentage of plastics being recycled and the lasting damage to the environment, we need to rely less heavily on plastics. Stainless steel, bamboo, ceramics, paper cartons, and wax-coated fabrics are all more sustainable.

• Facts and Figures about Materials, Waste and Recycling