Exposing the Recycling Myth: Why Reducing and Reusing is the Real Path to Change
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Exposing the Recycling Myth: Why Reducing and Reusing is the Real Path to Change
What if I told you that recycling was never meant to solve the plastic crisis? Instead, it was a strategy to make you feel good about using more plastics—fooling you into thinking you were doing the right thing by recycling.
You may or may not have seen this on the news—it’s barely getting coverage. California is suing ExxonMobil for decades of harmful and misleading practices. Even I was surprised by the lawsuit! What lawsuit, you ask? This one: CA Attorney General Sues ExxonMobil for Deceiving the Public.
It’s okay if you don’t have time to read it and get angry—I’ll summarize it for you. Picture it: The 1970s. ExxonMobil comes up with the famous three-arrow symbol we all know. They knowingly begin a campaign to mislead the public about how recyclable plastics really are. Why? So we’d use plastic, feel good recycling it, and then buy more. And more.
What’s actually happening? Less than 9% of plastics are recycled—and the rest ends up in landfills and oceans. The system is broken, plagued by logistical challenges, contamination, and the economic unfeasibility of recycling. Meanwhile, we think we’re doing our part to save the planet because we separate our trash and recyclables… and go on to buy more single-use plastics. (Guess who makes those?)
“Advanced recycling” is another scam. Guess who’s leading that effort? Yep, the plastics industry. They want you to believe that plastics will be chemically broken down and reused, but the kicker is this: the expensive plants they’re building will still use more first-use raw materials. You can read more about it here: Advanced Recycling: Plastic Crisis Solution or Distraction? (Spoiler: it’s a distraction).
So what can we do?
- Reduce consumption. This is the most powerful action you can take.
- Reuse everyday items like reusable bags, water bottles, and containers. Yes, it might be a little inconvenient, but it’s better than trashing or “recycling” them—since we know it all ends up in the landfill anyway.
- Refill what you can. Water bottles, soap bottles, and other household items.
- Choose biodegradable or natural alternatives that are kinder to the planet. Or invest in high-quality household items that last a lifetime (like stainless steel or cast-iron pans).
Even small changes like these cut down on plastic waste. You don’t have to make a drastic lifestyle shift. Small steps in the right direction can make a huge impact, even if you never become a full-on Earth Mama or Papa.
Receipts
1. Rob Bonta Lawsuit: https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-sues-exxonmobil-deceiving-public-recyclability-plastic
2. Associated Press: https://apnews.com/article/science-united-states-providence-business-climate-and-environment-b9f202a703ea7fa4231053d544b3266e