Although nearly all plastic is technically recyclable, the actual percentage of plastic that does get recycled in the United States is shamefully low. To combat this problem, trash bag brand Hefty has started a new program that will help over 1.3 million households direct difficult-to-recycle items away from landfills.
The Hefty ReNew Program is being offered to all employees of ALPS Inspection and Cincinnati Test Systems, Packaging World reported.
Employees who take advantage of the program will now be able to recycle many types of items that would have normally had to go into the trash, including candy wrappers, foam egg cartons, plastic grocery bags, bubble wrap, foam peanuts, empty fast food containers, and plastic utensils.
"Through this program, we are providing our employees with the tools they need to make a positive impact on the environment. This initiative is another step in our journey toward sustainability, and we are excited to see the difference our collective efforts will make," said Jill Shearer, general manager of ALPS Inspection.
According to a report released recently by Greenpeace USA, plastic recycling in our country is a "failed concept." U.S. households produced 51 million tons of plastic trash in 2021, but only 2.4 million of it was recycled, the report said. The percentage of plastic materials recycled in the U.S. declined from 9.5% in 2014 to around 5% in 2021.
When plastic is not recycled, it mostly ends up in landfills, where it remains basically forever. A large amount also ends up in the ocean. There, it contributes to countless deaths of marine animals, as well as other nasty environmental consequences.
This simple upgrade can slash thousands off your energy bills while increasing the value of your home — and you can get it done before Thanksgiving Did you know 10% to 20% of heat escapes through your home’s flooring, typically because of bad insulation? That could be costing you thousands in energy bills every year. But a simple flooring refresh could slash those costs — while also increasing your home’s value by as much as 5%. And Lowe’s now offers a seamless one-stop flooring solution that makes the process easy and affordable. You’ll find top brands and styles at prices that fit your budget, all while working with local, independent installers. If you schedule a free in-home measurement online by Nov. 2 and purchase your project by Nov. 12, you can even have your new floors in before Thanksgiving. Learn more → |
Watch now: Take a peek inside Alex Honnold's new solar-powered van
That's why new approaches to plastic recycling, like the Hefty program, are so crucial right now. Since the production of new plastic is unfortunately expected to increase even further in the coming years, we desperately need ways to deal with this pervasive problem.
Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
Cool Picks
