Global prices for recycled materials 2017
Between 2015 and 2017, the price of recycled aluminum stood at 1,186 U.S. dollars per ton, while recycled glass had zero value. The low price of plastic packaging has helped to push its widespread adoption throughout various industries; however, these low prices have dissuaded companies from recycling as using virgin plastics are cheaper than recycling products.
Plastic waste and the environment
The vast majority of plastic packaging waste is just disposed of and only a small percentage is properly recycled. Plastic waste that is simply disposed of largely ends up in landfills or polluting the environment. One can find almost 80,000 metric tons of plastic waste in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch located in the north central Pacific Ocean. This vortex of marine debris is estimated to cover some 1.6 million square kilometers. Garbage is also often found along marine coasts as currents can carry waste across the world. Cigarette butts and food wrappers are two of the most commonly found items of trash along these coastal environments.
Plastic waste and the environment
The vast majority of plastic packaging waste is just disposed of and only a small percentage is properly recycled. Plastic waste that is simply disposed of largely ends up in landfills or polluting the environment. One can find almost 80,000 metric tons of plastic waste in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch located in the north central Pacific Ocean. This vortex of marine debris is estimated to cover some 1.6 million square kilometers. Garbage is also often found along marine coasts as currents can carry waste across the world. Cigarette butts and food wrappers are two of the most commonly found items of trash along these coastal environments.
