we are all striving to be more conscious, mindful humans. Part of that is being more thoughtful about how we consume and the legacy we leave.
For years we have felt pretty good about our attempts to recycle plastic, but recent revelations about plastic's true recyclability has led to much consternation. With so much in our society dependent on plastic, a problem that isn't going away overnight, questions about what to do loom large.
Will this item in the recycle bin really be recycled, or, is it headed for a trash barge in the Far East?
Are those 'compostable' and 'biodegradable' shopping bags and mailers REALLY compostable?
When we throw something away, is there really an 'away-away'?
There is a common misconception that the ubiquitous chasing arrow sign stamped or printed on our plastic refuse means the item is recyclable.
But, the truth lies in the tiny number enclosed in those arrows.
1 is PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)
PET is one of the most commonly used plastics in consumer products and can most often be found in water and other drink bottles as well as food packaging. It’s recycled into polyester fibres and other lower grade products like carpets.
The good news is that PET can be recycled. The bad news is, it can be recycled into clothing that then sheds millions of tiny petroleum-based microfibers into our oceans and waterways through residential and commercial laundry facilities.
Efforts are underway to ensure new washing machines include microfiber filters,