As a species, humans are not dealing well with the amount of plastic waste we’re generating. The density of glass depends on its type but can be 2-10 times the density of typical plastics used for containers. Also, while a glass bottle is a relatively small component, we’re increasingly using plastic components in cars and aeroplanes, to make them lighter. So, with current recycling processes there is always some plastic waste that cannot be recycled. Encouragingly, some researchers have demonstrated plastic materials that could degrade in household compost or water.

Source: The Nation September 11, 2021 06:56 UTC