A Guide to Plastic Downcycling

Is plastic really recyclable? Learn more about plastic downcycling and how recycling plastics can still wreak havoc on the environment.

By Amy Korst
Updated on July 26, 2023
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by AdobeStock/Bits and Splits

Is plastic really recyclable? Learn more about plastic downcycling and how recycling plastics can still wreak havoc on the environment.

Trash is a big, dirty problem. The average American tosses out nearly 2,000 pounds of garbage every year. The Zero-Waste Lifestyle (Ten Speed Press, 2012) is a guide to a healthier, happier and more sustainable life by way of creating less trash. Author Amy Korst used lessons from her yearlong experiment in zero-waste living to offer hundreds of simple ideas and low-impact tips. Eliminate the unnecessary from life and help preserve the planet’s future. The following excerpt from Chapter 2 discusses everything you need to know about recycling plastics.

In the recycling world, starting a discussion about plastics is like waltzing through a minefield. The issues surrounding this material are laden with emotion, misunderstandings, and sensationalism. At some point in your zero-waste journey, you will encounter some of these issues.

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