Mary Jo Bellner Swartzberg
Regarding recycling, consider the three Rs mantra: Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. This seems logical to those of us who want to save the environment. But is it really that simple? No, it’s not. In fact, it’s downright complicated, and it takes a village.
Readers might be surprised to know that only 9% of plastics are recycled globally, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). In 2021 the United States recycled only 5% to 6% of its plastic waste, according to Beyond Plastics.
The organization American Plastic Makers cites “outdated, decades-old technologies, and works against our goals to be more sustainable …” Note: This organization has set a goal for all plastic packaging in the U.S. to be “reused, recycled, recovered by 2040.”
Another organization, The Reuse People, has set a guide for waste management to minimize the environmental impact of recyclable items. The three Rs mentioned above will help in the long run:
• Reduce: Consume and produce less to minimize waste generation.
• Reuse: Use items multiple times or repurpose them for different uses.
• Recycle: Process materials to create new products.
But what about now? What about in our own backyard?
In a perfect world, everyone would recycle here. But consider what other countries are doing:
Top recycling countries:
• Germany: Has had the highest recycling rate in the world since 2016, recycling about 56% of waste. Germany has a deposit and return system for bottles and cans.
• South Korea: Has a recycling rate of 53.7% and is the highest-ranking Asian country for recycling. South Korea has a waste collection system and advanced recycling technologies.
• Austria: Has increased recycling by banning certain waste from landfills.
• Wales: Has a statutory duty to promote sustainable development and has plans to update recycling facilities.
• Slovenia: Had a recycling rate of 55.3% in 2022.
• England: Had a 44% recycling rate in 2022.
You can help by thinking about:
• Not buying anything in a plastic bottle;
• Using glass containers to store leftovers in the refrigerator;
• Donating magazines to assisted living facilities;
• Having a recycling container on hand for cans/bottles for your in-home parties;
• Dropping off plastic bags at grocery store locations;
• Using your own carry-in bags when you go grocery shopping;
• Donating clothing to the Golden Goose or to a shelter;
• Donating books to the SaddleBrooke Libraries;
• Ordering a recycling container from Waste Management; or
• Carrying your recyclables to the Catalina Transfer Station in Catalina.
“If it can’t be reduced, reused, repaired, rebuilt, refurbished, refinished, resold, recycled, or composted, then it should be restricted, redesigned, or removed from production.” —Pete Seeger, folk singer and social activist