In the report titled ‘The Fraud of Plastic Recycling: How Big Oil and the plastics industry deceived the public for decades and caused the plastic waste crisis<\/a>,’ the CCI unveils a shocking revelation about plastic recycling.<\/p>\n The findings shed light on the intricate web of deception purportedly spun by fossil fuel and petrochemical companies regarding the recyclability of plastics, ultimately exacerbating the global plastic waste crisis.<\/p>\n Emphasising the significance of the findings, Alyssa Johl, CCI’s vice president of legal and general counsel, commented: “Big Oil and the plastics industry’s decades-long campaign to deceive the public about plastic recycling has likely violated laws designed to protect consumers and the public from corporate misconduct and pollution.<\/p>\n “Attorneys general and other officials should carefully consider the evidence that these companies defrauded the public and take appropriate action to hold them accountable.”<\/p>\n Recycling plastic presents numerous challenges that make the process inherently difficult. Firstly, the sheer diversity of plastic types, each with unique chemical compositions and properties, complicates recycling efforts.<\/p>\n Furthermore, contamination poses a significant issue. Food residue, dirt, and other substances often cling to plastic items, reducing their quality and making them harder to recycle. Contaminated plastics may require extensive cleaning, which increases costs and energy consumption.<\/p>\n Additionally, plastic degradation presents a challenge. Through repeated use, exposure to sunlight, and other factors, plastic degrades, diminishing its quality and recyclability. This degradation can render plastic items unsuitable for recycling, limiting the potential for reuse.<\/p>\n Moreover, the lack of infrastructure exacerbates the difficulty of recycling plastic. Many regions lack adequate facilities and collection systems for plastic recycling, leading to low recycling rates and increased reliance on landfills and incineration.<\/p>\n Economic factors also play a role. Fluctuating prices of virgin plastic and limited demand for recycled plastic products can deter investment in recycling infrastructure and discourage participation in recycling programmes.<\/p>\n Now, evidence from the CCI suggests that plastic producers have lied about plastic recycling being a solution for decades, ultimately causing the plastic waste crisis we see today.<\/p>\n The plastics industry \u2014 including fossil fuel companies \u2014 knew decades ago their products couldn\u2019t be recycled indefinitely (or at all). But they continued to pollute and deceive. It\u2019s time to make them pay. pic.twitter.com\/Kr4KvbD2jM<\/a><\/p>\n — Center for Climate Integrity (@climatecosts) February 18, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nPlastic recycling challenges<\/h3>\n
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