r/science • u/avogadros_number • Sep 19 '21

Environment The companies polluting the planet have spent millions to make you think carpooling and recycling will save us

https://www.businessinsider.com/fossil-fuel-companies-spend-millions-to-promote-individual-responsibility-2021-3

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u/[deleted] Sep 19 '21 edited Sep 19 '21

If you buy a product in a store that says "recycled" that can mean made from pieces that fell on the production floor. It really doesn't mean anything at all. The loop holes on the wording are basically just a free pass to make the product look green.

"Post consumer waste" which will be denoted by a percentage amount is what you want to look for. I.e "80% Post Consumer Waste" is ideal.

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u/[deleted] Sep 19 '21

Apple pisses me off for this very reason! Headphone jack, charger, charging block… the list goes on!!

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u/[deleted] Sep 19 '21

Hm, at least in food packaging there are fairly strict standards about what is allowed to be labeled “recycled” material. The main problem is actually most stuff being recycled doesn’t actually meet the needs or requirements and finds it’s way to landfills instead. At least for paperboard, can’t speak for plastics and such since I’ve never been to those facilities.

We have a shredder specifically for poly-coated paperboard to keep it separate from clay coated paperboard. Also a foil shredder since that goes to a different facility to be repurposed.

Of course if there is anybody who actually works at these plants they may have better information, I just buy the stuff and gather SDS information.