Nat Geo: Plastic Recycling is Broken Heres How to Fix It
It was not until the last few months that I became aware of the global phenomenon that is trash dispensing. I was shocked to find out that developed countries pack up all of their recycled trash and load it up to a cargo boat just to dispense it in some third world developing southeast Asian country. Not only does this create an unbalanced amount of waste, but it’s at the expense of people who are forced to live in harsh conditions prior to being invaded by foreign trash. I also had no idea that China was the world’s number one trash importer. What I am confused about is whether or not they purchase it or they receive money for it since the transaction would be that of commensalism in a symbiotic relationship.
Here are some key points I found interesting:
“single-stream recycling”- co-mingles paper, metal, glass, and plastic together. This recycled material is considered to be less pure so, in turn, less valuable. More quantity but less quality.
The consideration of revamping the product design cycle to start thinking about the end of the products life cycle
Vice video: China stopped taking a long list of garbage and it’s causing chaos
This short clip from Vice gave me a glimpse of what an average American recycling plant faces every day and how dependent they/we are on China. And now that China has regulated their waste intake there is no backup plan to ensure that recycled trash is being properly disposed of. This is very concerning and the fact that no one is talking about it and it is being pushed aside to worry about later is utterly disgusting. I see the issue from a design perspective- since that is the way my mind works- and action should be taken on redesigning a solution to not be dependent on other countries and also encourage individuals to take the step at home to recycle their own waste.
Some key points I took away:
-China has regulated the recycled goods market and thus has disrupted the whole entire cycle of recycling worldwide.
-Certain US states such as Massachusetts, are starting to give companies waivers to throw out recyclables.
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