Our Contrary Normal Practice and Normative Attitudes Around Plastics Recycling
Author: Kiersten Muenchinger
Affiliation: University of Oregon
Abstract
In time for the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, Frontline, an acclaimed investigative news show on American Public Television, is airing “Plastic Wars,” a report on the fght over the future of plastics. “Plastic Wars” and its related print articles expose that plastics manufacturers have promoted the recycling industry as the clever, benefcial, circular end to plastics waste, all the while knowing that plastics recycling systems have never been robust enough to address plastics waste. It tells that soft drink companies like Pepsico have repeatedly fallen short of stated goals for recycled plastic content in their bottles. It clarifes that end-consumers should not expect that every plastic part embossed with a chasing arrow symbol will be recycled.
References
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