This article gives an important insight into the political and economic reality of recycling vis-a-vis the utopian idea of a zero waste economy. The recent ban by China on 'foreign garbage' has resulted in the piling up of 'recyclables' in US land fills, leading to severe ecological damage. It shows how the reality experienced by the consumer leads them to "aspirational recycling" items that they hope or believe they can be recycled. It also show an important weakness in the circular economy, since a disruption in the chain immediately leads to the piling up of large amounts of waste....
Your Recycling Gets Recycled, Right? Maybe, or Maybe Not
Plastics and papers from dozens of American cities and towns are being dumped in landfills after China stopped recycling most “foreign garbage.” ...
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- nytimes.com