Frequently asked questions about recycling plastics
We get a lot of questions about recycling, especially recycling plastics.
Beyond plastic
To spare birds, fish and other wildlife from the harm caused by plastic pollution, we’re raising our voices for a world with less single-use plastic products.
Maybe you’ve seen the video of a sea turtle with a plastic straw stuck in its nose, or the headlines about whales washing ashore with stomachs full of plastic. With so much plastic pollution floating in the ocean, it’s too easy for wildlife to mistake it for food — and too often, they pay the price with their lives. The good news is that more people, communities, states and companies are moving away from the single-use plastics we don’t even need. Because after all, nothing we use for a few minutes should pollute our environment and threaten wildlife for hundreds of years.
The Latest on Beyond plastic
What is microplastic?
What’s the problem with fast fashion?
Updates
Amazon announces the end of its plastic padded shipping bags
More than 52,000 Americans to FTC: Crack down on misleading recyclability claims
Groups challenge EPA’s failure to curb water pollution from plastic plants, oil refineries and other industries
Featured Resources
Trash in America
10 steps Whole Foods can immediately take to reduce single-use plastic
Reducing plastic waste in the states
Green schools guide
Did You Know?
Scientists have found plastic fragments in 44% of all seabird species, 43% of all marine mammal species and 100% of sea turtle species.
The Latest
Type
How to save money and cut down on waste when back-to-school shopping
Here are some simple tips on how you can save money and cut down on waste this back-to-school season.
The hidden cost of Amazon Prime Day
Shoppers can score some great deals on Amazon Prime Day, but they come at a cost: tons and tons of single-use plastic packaging waste added to our environment.
Five tips to avoid single-use plastic at your July 4th cookout
Fourth of July is just around the corner, and while bringing family and friends together to enjoy the sunshine, eating burgers, dogs and veggies fresh off the grill and watching the fireworks display can be a lot of fun, cleaning up lots of plastic waste at the end of the night just isn't.
The Countdown to Zero Waste – June Update
Our country has a waste problem. It's time for new solutions and a renewed commitment to move toward zero waste. PIRG and Environment America's advocates, organizers and members are promoting ways to reduce what we consume, reuse what we can, and recycle the rest.
Can I recycle that?
Tens of thousands of Americans call on the FTC to prohibit the use of the word "recyclable," the chasing arrows recycling symbol, or other statements that imply a product is recyclable on products that cannot be recycled.
Team
Deehan
Laura
Deehan
State Director, Environment California