Why recycling is not enough

In the parks of Buenos Aires it is very common for people just to walk around and sell sandwiches and sweets. There's this one really sweet looking girl who walks around selling vegan muffins. So far, so good, isn't it? Low environmental impact and stuff. The muffins are wrapped in plastic cling wrap, and every time I see it it just rubs me the wrong way. Last time I just had to ask her about it, saying something along the lines: "Hey, you like animals, right? Are you aware the plastic is damaging the wildlife and environment as well?" Her answer, as I imagined, was "But I try to recycle it". The typical answer of people who want to do good, who know that plastic contamination is an issue, but to do not have enough time to analyse and think about out. The favorite strategy of governments who want to look good, but do not want to deal with behavioral change. The three green arrows promising the magical solution. So, what's the problem? I'll give you just three of the many reasons why recycling is not enough.

1. There's not enough of re- in recycling

The three arrows are lying bitches. Your plastic bag, plastic bottle and plastic whatever in majority of cases will not be made into another plastic bag, plastic bottle or plastic whatever. The plastic will be converted into some material of less value, which will be used for making doormats, textiles, plastic lumber, etc. There is even a name for that: "downcycling". And, you know what, when their new owners will get bored, these products will be sent to landfill. By recycling plastic you are only delaying the problem, not solving it.

2. The great and unsustainable trade in waste

You know what's USA sells to China the most? Their trash. It's just a glimpse of the huge flows of waste being sold internationally. If working in a factory in China is not the most pleasant experience, to say the least, imagine what are the working conditions and local environmental impact of recycling facilities. It's kind of counterproductive transport our waste all over the world, with all the CO2 emissions which it takes. Do we really need to do this?

3. 30% of plastic packaging is actually unrecyclable

The last "New Plastic Economy" report by Ellen McArthur foundation brought to my attention hard data on an issue I had though about before. 30% of all plastic packaging we are producing at the moment is unrecyclable. Dirty stuff from fast food places, small pieces of plastic, such as candy wrappers, or the absolutely indispensable single serving ketchup packages, which fulfill both criteria, are not being recycled... because they are too small and/or dirty. The systems is not able to deal with them. You can add to this group multilayer plastic products and plastic packaging made out of weird types of plastic. No recycling for these guys either. Simply by putting them in your recyclables bin you are complicating the life of the recyclers.

So, should you recycle? Yes, yes and yes! But, please don't be tricked into the idea that by recycling you are doing enough. You're not. Reduce and reuse come first. Stay away from cheap plastic shit and buy long lasting products. Avoid single use plastic as much as you can. Fix what can be fixed. Bring your own bags or containers with you to your favorite take away. It's not impossible, as people have lived without plastic bags and cups for millennia. If you really stop and think about it, it's our actual way of life is strange and impossible to sustain, not the plastic free one.