The Challenge of Recycling

Not all plastics are the same. Some are easy to recycle. Some, like plastic drinking straws, are hard to recycle. They are often thrown away.

Ease of recycling by type:


Easy Manageble Difficult Very difficult
1

Water bottles, food jars, some types of clothing

11%

2

Detergent bottles, snack boxes, milk jugs, garden furniture

14%

3

Credit cards, pipes, wire and cable covers, man‑made leather

5%

4

Shopping bags, bubble wrap, flexible bottles

20%

5

Bottle tops, drinking straws, lunch boxes

19%

6

Foam cups, egg boxes, meat trays, packing peanuts, plastic knives and forks

6%

7

Plastic fabrics, baby bottles, compact discs

24%