Rethinking Recycling: A Critical Look at Plastic Waste and Environmental Impact
In this thought-provoking seminar held for World Oceans Day 2012, Yui-Wah Leelee emphasizes the limitations and misconceptions surrounding recycling, particularly plastics. Highlighting the alarming statistics from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and the inefficiencies in recycling programs, she urges attendees to reconsider their consumer habits. With only a small percentage of plastics actually being recycled, the discussion calls for a fundamental shift towards reducing consumption and reusing materials, rather than solely relying on recycling as a solution.
Rethinking Recycling: A Critical Look at Plastic Waste and Environmental Impact
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Presentation Transcript
Recycling considered harmful? Yui-Wah (Clement) Leeleeyuiwah@gmail.com A special seminar for World Oceans Day 2012
From the project “Journey to Midway” (3 mins 54 secs) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ai3IKO_afqs
Location of Midway Atoll – 2000 miles from any other continents
Great Pacific Garbage Patch • The one in North Pacific: twice the size of Texas • Formed due to Gyre • Characterized by exceptionally high concentration of plastics, chemical sludge, and other marine debris
Captain Charles Moore: On the Sea of Plastic (00:07:23) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrAShtolieg
But I have been doing my part and recycling my plastics, haven’t I?
Plastic: a few facts • Only 8 percents are recovered for recycling • The Resin Identification Coding System for plastic, was introduced by SPI, the plastics industry trade association. • “Contrary to common belief, just because a plastic product has the resin number in a triangle, which looks very similar to the recycling symbol, it does not mean it is collected for recycling.” -- US EPA • (Source: US Environmental Protection Agency [1])
#6 (PS or Polystyrene) – notoriously difficult to recycle I am now lobbying Facilities Management to encourage employees to bring their own mugs to cafeteria PS (Polystyrene) is notoriously difficult to recycle. Most places still do not accept it
How about #1 (PETE) ? • Said to be the most readily recyclable type of plastic
The story of bottled water (8 mins 3 secs) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Se12y9hSOM0
Water bottle recycling • Water bottles recycling rate: ~12-23% [1][2]
Try this on Chris Jordon’s website http://www.chrisjordan.com/gallery/rtn/#plastic-bags
60,000 plastic bags, the number used in the US every 5 seconds
Plastic bag recycling • Plastic bags recycling rate: ~6% [3] • 57% of US post-consumer plastic bags are actually exported [3]
Recycling considered harmful ? • “We have a recycling program” Look at the fine print! • Recycling is good only if the use of the product is necessary. • Recycling is bad when it is used as an excuse to justify the use of unnecessary products • Recycling is bad when it gives a false sense of security Reduce or Recycle ?
Plastic or Paper ? • That is a wrong question! • The answer should be “Neither of both” -- We can simply use reusable cloth bags or shopping baskets
But I use the grocery bags to line my trash bin,so they are not wasted, are they?! • 5-bag rule • In addition to carryout bags, there are still bread and produce bags • Consider using produce bags to line trash bins
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle + Rethinking • On top of the 3 R’s , I think another R is more important – Rethinking • Rethinking about the impact of our consumer habits
From the documentary “Bag It” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRjPkl_4lmM
Back to Tap http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjyLABrtmqA#!
Great Pacific Garbage Patch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsx3eTjdWgY
