Nowadays, I often hear people say, “What’s the point of recycling, it all ends up in the trash anyway!” While waste processing is not perfect, this statement destroys faith in environmental protection systems. It is becoming increasingly clear that myths about plastic need to be addressed to restore people’s hope not only in recycling but in the various institutions that do critical work to keep the planet clean. 

While it is true that a high amount of plastic cannot be reused, the act of recycling is valuable because of the amount of plastic that we can save–and the positive, sustainable habits that recycling reaffirms. Unlike recycled plastic, plastic that is thrown in the trash will undeniably end up in landfills, taking hundreds of years to break down. As many know, plastic is incredibly harmful to the environment when it sits in landfills. It degrades ecosystems, increases massive amounts of microplastics into our food and water (and bodies!), and even piles up in extreme scenarios like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Here are some friendly reminders to reduce your plastic disposal:

• Reduce! Get creative with alternatives to plastic (reusable bags, metal and glass containers, straws, cups, and more).
• Buy in bulk to minimize packaging.
• Say no to any one-time use items if you have the option.
• Recycle! Not only is it a conscious, sustainable habit, but it also diverts plastic from landfills and creates new products.

By Grayson Rae