Tell the FTC: Misleading recycling labels harm wildlife

 

How would you feel if the plastic you thought you were recycling was actually finding its way into the environment, where it can harm or kill wildlife? Surprised? Alarmed? Outraged? All three, all at once? Environmental Action supporters want to protect wildlife and end plastic pollution. That's why so many of us are working to stop plastic manufacturers from putting the recycling symbol on products that are all but guaranteed to end up trashing our environment. Join us in telling the Federal Trade Commission (FTC): We need truth in recycling. Limit recycling labels to products that are actually being recycled. We have a huge plastic pollution problem on our hands. The amount of plastic waste being produced has doubled since 2000 with only 5% of that plastic getting recycled.1,2 When plastic products are mislabeled as recyclable, it makes the problem even worse. Items that aren't being recycled getting mixed in with the stuff that is being recycled can send entire dump trucks of plastic to the landfill. That is, if all that plastic makes it to the landfill and doesn't get spilled along the way. That means more plastic in our environment, more oil being extracted and burned to make new plastic, and more microplastic pollution from plastic decaying in landfills or burning in the incinerator. That triple threat can destroy wildlife ecosystems and lead to animals getting sick, or even dying. We need to hold plastic producers accountable for telling us the truth. Insist on truth in recycling by sending a message to the FTC today. It's frustrating to know that consumers are being mislead about recycling, especially when the result is more plastic waste entering the environment, where it can harm wildlife from birds to whales.3 No wild animal should have to die in order to satisfy our desire for the convenience of a single-use plastic bag or cup. And no person should be misled into believing that these plastic products are being recycled when they're not. Every piece of plastic that we don't send to the landfill or incinerator helps defend our planet and its inhabitants from plastic pollution. Will you send your message to the FTC today? Thank you, The Environmental Action team 1. "Plastic pollution is growing relentlessly as waste management and recycling fall short, says OECD," OECD, February 22, 2022. 2. Nina Lakhani, "Only 5% of plastic waste generated by US last year was recycled, report says," The Guardian, October 24, 2022. 3. Lisa Song, "When Is "Recyclable" Not Really Recyclable? When the Plastics Industry Gets to Define What the Word Means," ProPublica, August 15, 2024.