● What is “Wishcycling” and are you doing it?

● Why reusable is always better

● What IS recyclable and why?

Outline

Misconception: If I hope it’s recyclable, it’s recyclable

What’s the biggest change you can make?DITCH SINGLE USE ITEMS

What is single-use?It is an item that has been designed to be used one time before it is thrown away, recycled, or composted. Most of these items are plastic and often poor quality materials.

Single-use items eat resources at every stage of life

Go re-usable!•Carry a reusable container with you

•Pack lunch in reusable containers

•Challenge vendors

•Reuse containers rather than recycle

•Safe to use

Lifestyle changes – cutting dependence on single-use items

What about items I can’t reduce?

Some waste is difficult to reduce. That’s why it’s best to focus on the items we can replace more easily. There is still work to do in areas we have control over.

What’s recyclable in Santa Barbara?

Glass Paper

PlasticMetal

Clean and dry

No drinking glasses

Paper, paperboard, newspaper, cardboard

Only large and clean

No food containers

Clean

Any condition

Rusty metal ok

How clean do my recyclables need to be?Answer: Really clean

If you are recycling correctly, you do not need a bag and you should not be using a bag

YES NO

Clean recyclables have value at market – dirty ones will never be baled

● Life after the blue cart● Why can’t we recycle all plastics?● Future of plastic recycling

Outline

The Plastic Journey

Why can’t we recycle all plastics?

Not all plastics are created equal

320°F melting point

➔ PP (#5)

➔ 320°F melting point

➔ Injection molded

➔ Black dye

➔ More rigid

➔ Holds food

Meal Tray Water Bottle

➔ PET (#1)

➔ 500°F melting point

➔ Blow molded

➔ Clear

➔ More flexible

➔ Holds liquid

Lack of infrastructure and technology

● Difficulty processing different types of complex plastics (limited infrastructure)

● Food, liquid, sticky labels, etc. can be a problem to remove

● Film plastics can clog machines and carry food and liquid

How many different types of plastic containers can you spot?

I found 21!

Lack of infrastructure and technology

● Difficulty processing different types of complex plastics (limited infrastructure)

● Food, liquid, sticky labels, etc. can be a problem to remove

● Film plastics can clog machines and carry food and liquid

Shifting markets

● World’s largest waste importer

● 70% of America’s plastics → China○ Low contamination standards○ Competitive pricing

● China had enough of receiving the rest of the world’s garbage

We lost our biggest customer

National Sword Policy (January 2018)

● Bans 24 types of imported waste (including plastics and mixed paper)

● 0.5% contamination levels

● Large scale enforcement inspections

● Surplus of recyclable material to many Southeast Asian nations → restrictions

Moving forward with plastic recycling

Moving forward

● Minimize contamination → more valuable!

○ Clean and dry recycling● Increase volume and quality of

recyclables ○ Upgrade equipment (ReSource

Center)● Industry redesign/focus on reusable

products and closed-loop systems○ Legislative pressure

● Practice the 3 R’s in order○ Reduce○ Reuse○ Recycle

Plastic’s Unique Footprints and ImpactsPlastic pollution part of climate change

Extraction all the way through production/use/disposal

Photos: [1]"oilsunset_swisscan_flickrcc" by michaelarcand is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0; [2] Shutterstock; [3]"Bales of Recyclables" by Walter Parenteau is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0; [4] freestocks.org; [5] "L.A. River" by kqedquest is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

Challenges with Plastic Disposal U.S. generates 35 million tons of plastic waste per year

● 41% - landfill● 32% - ends up in oceans (3/10 pcs = unintentional litter)● 14% - incinerated (releases toxic pollution - dioxins, acid gases, and heavy metals)● 8% - “recycled”● 2% - EFFECTIVELY recycled into

another plastic item (generally only done once more)

Statistics from “Story of Plastic” film.

Photo: "L.A. River" by kqedquest is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

Federal and State BillsBreak Free from Plastic Pollution Act 2020Includes producer responsibility, phasing out certain single use plastics, moratorium on new/expanded production facilities, standardized labelling for recycling and composting, limits export of plastic waste, nationwide beverage container return & refund, and investment in recycling and composting infrastructure in U.S.

California Circular Economy & Plastic Pollution Reduction Act (SB 54 & AB 1080)Will cut waste from packaging, plastic, and other single use products requiring most to be recyclable, reusable, or compostable by 2030

7 regional plastic distribution reduction laws

● Plastic bags, starting in 2008● Styrofoam, starting in 2008● Straws and other items, starting in 2016● Holistic approach needed

○ Berkeley and Santa Monica models● Not all can be regulated-consumer behavior

○ Top down, bottom up approach needed

Film Plastic Collection Program

Ablitt’s program - history/progress/updates● Overview of Trex program● Recycling vs repurposing/end of life

Ablitt’s Program Changes ● Appointment only drop off● Need public’s help reducing

contamination● Put questions in a separate bag● Sorting sessions at Ablitt’s ● Packaging reduction