The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is pressing the Federal Trade Commission to approve new rules that would eliminate the familiar universal recycling symbol from products that are not—despite their manufacturers’ claims—recyclable except at great expense, The New York Times reported recently.
This is intended to promote clearer communication with members of the public who are seeking to pursue environmentally-friendly practices in their daily lives, according to the agencies’ websites.
Proper disposal of solid waste is certainly fits into that category.
The change comes at a time when many jurisdictions have cut back or eliminated residential recycling programs, especially relating to plastic, most types of which are not financially feasible to recyclable and have not been for years.
Polk County reduced the types of plastic it will accept a few years ago and next year will end curbside recycling. Some city programs will continue.
Environmental groups, including Sierra, have long maintained that the public has been misled by the oil industry and the chemical industry that manufactures these single-use plastic containers and encourages their use even though many of the products—particularly single-use plastic water battles—are unnecessary in most cases anyway except in areas where people do not have access to clean tap water.
Also, some local and state governments in places like California have enacted regulations that prohibit companies from claiming their products are recyclable unless they can provide evidence that they area.
The most environmentally responsible choice is to reduce plastic use—especially single-use products—as much as possible. That includes not only water bottles, but also single-used plastic bags that are still offered in many stores to customers who do not bring reusable bags when they shop.