According to the most recent U.S. EPA data, the U.S. only recycles an estimated 14 of plastic packaging. The International Union for Conservation of Nature estimates at least 14 million tons of plastic end up in the ocean every year, threatening food security and human health as well as contributing to climate change. Meanwhile, the U.S. lacks basic infrastructure capabilities for curbside recycling and composting, and affordable reuse programs are unavailable or do not yet exist at scale. In short, packaging design and sorting technology have outpaced the U.S. recycling system, which was built to accommodate limited products. Communities that offer recycling or composting services often cannot maintain sustainable programs due to competing demand for funding and lack of value for the recyclables.
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