Plastic Recycling Symbols Under Scrutiny

Plastic Recycling Symbols Under Scrutiny

Battle Over Labeling Plastics as Recyclable Intensifies as Industry Groups Clash Over Recycling Claims

It comes as no surprise the environmental advocates and industry groups disagree over the best way to inform consumers about recyclability.

The primary issue is whether companies should be allowed to use labels suggesting that certain plastics can be recycled even when many of those materials end up in landfills due to inadequate recycling infrastructure.

This means that just because a plastic bottle or package has a recycling symbol on it or is marked as recyclable, doesn’t mean your recycling system in your area accepts that type of product for recycling.

Recycling systems across the US are delicate balances of minimizing waste while also meeting the needs of consumer goods producers.

So if no manufacturer in your area needs a certain type of plastic, it’s technically recyclable, but your recycling facility likely doesn’t accept that type of plastic.

According to a recent Yahoo Finance report, U.S. regulators and environmental groups are challenging claims made by plastic producers regarding the recyclability of their products.

They argue that misleading labels contribute to consumer confusion and contamination in recycling streams, which ultimately hampers the efficiency of recycling programs.

Regulatory Push for Stricter Labeling

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is currently reviewing updates to its "Green Guides," a set of guidelines designed to prevent companies from making deceptive environmental claims.

The review, which began in 2022, aims to clarify how terms like "recyclable" should be used on product packaging.

A key concern is that many plastics labeled as recyclable are rarely, if ever, actually processed.

However, in 2023, the US experienced its highest ever recycling rate for PET plastic bottles, which is definitely a step in the right direction.

California has already taken steps to crack down on misleading labels.

In 2021, the state passed Senate Bill 343, which restricts the use of the recycling symbol on packaging unless a product is proven to be widely recyclable in practice.

Similar measures are now being considered at the federal level.

Economic Factors

Groups such as the American Chemistry Council (ACC), argues that labeling restrictions could discourage investments in recycling technology and mislead consumers into thinking plastic cannot be recycled at all.

They advocate for advanced recycling methods, such as chemical recycling, which break down plastics into their base materials for reuse.

However, critics contend that chemical recycling remains costly and energy-intensive, with limited success in scaling up.

It’s important to consider the impact of recycling symbols and labeling on consumer confidence in recycling in general.

Currently, in 2025, general consumer opinion is that plastic gets recycled when it’s placed in the recycling bin.

If consumers begin to believe plastic isn’t going to get recycled even if they sort it and place it in the recycling bin, participation in recycling programs will likely decline significantly, leading to an overall failure of recycling as a whole.

Consumer Impact and the Future of Recycling

For consumers, the battle over plastic labeling has real-world consequences.

Misleading labels can lead well-intentioned individuals to place non-recyclable plastics into recycling bins, increasing contamination and raising processing costs for municipal recycling programs.

Contamination exists when non-recyclable materials are commingled with recyclable materials and have to be sorted out of the stream and disposed of, usually in landfills.

This can result in entire batches of recyclable material being sent to landfills or incinerators instead because the cost to sort exceeds the benefit of recycling the few recyclable materials in the batch.

As the FTC continues its review, stakeholders on both sides are gearing up for a prolonged fight over what qualifies as recyclable. The outcome of this debate could have significant implications for packaging regulations, consumer behavior, and the future of the plastics industry.

If you’re looking to reduce your environmental impact, I recommend prioritizing reusable packaging and understanding what can and cannot be recycled in your area.

This means, keeping the magnet or brochure your recycling company provides and only putting the items allowable in your area into the recycling bin.

You can also call your local recycling facility or email them, and I find they are usually very happy to answer questions on what is recyclable.

They may even have a website with all the information you need, like the one in my area (SWACO) that directs all consumer information to the Recycle Right Program in Ohio.

We could all do a little better by learning what’s recyclable, what isn’t and how to choose the best packaging based on facts instead of industry- and environmentalist-pushed agendas.

To learn more about plastic, the most recyclable and recycled type of plastic and whether plastic has a place in our society, read my article The 7 Types of Plastic, Their Properties, and Their Best Uses.

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