How much is actually Recycled?
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Despite widespread recycling initiatives, only a small fraction of plastic produced globally is actually recycled, estimates suggest that less than 10% of all plastic waste ever generated has been recycled. The majority of plastic ends up in landfills, incinerated, or, alarmingly, in the natural environment, including our oceans. Incinerating plastic, often seen as a solution for reducing landfill waste, poses its own set of dangers, releasing toxic chemicals such as dioxins, furans, and heavy metals into the atmosphere. These pollutants contribute to air quality degradation, posing serious health risks to humans, including respiratory issues, cancer, and developmental problems. Additionally, incineration does not eliminate plastic but transforms it into harmful byproducts that can persist in the environment. The plastic that isn’t incinerated or recycled often breaks down into microplastics, infiltrating waterways, soil, and even the air we breathe, posing severe risks to wildlife and human health. Marine animals mistake these microplastics for food, leading to ingestion that can cause injury, starvation, and death. Furthermore, the chemicals in plastics can leach into ecosystems, disrupting the health of aquatic life and entering the food chain, ultimately affecting human health. The environmental cost is immense, highlighting the urgent need to reduce plastic use, improve recycling technologies, and shift towards sustainable alternatives that minimize the devastating impact of plastic waste on our planet.