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ARS Home » Midwest Area » St. Paul, Minnesota » Soil and Water Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #219524

Title: Plastics: Still young, but having a mature impact

Author
item Spokas, Kurt

Submitted to: Waste Management
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/13/2007
Publication Date: 12/11/2007
Citation: Spokas, K.A. 2007. Plastics: Still young, but having a mature impact. Waste Management. 28(3):473-474.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Plastic is used in every aspect of our lives, from the morning toothbrush to the garbage bag that is carried out at the end of the day. Plastics are also used in agriculture (e.g. soil fumigation, produce shipping and storage). This editorial examines the current plastic recycling statistics and examines how the current demand for recycled plastics is ahead of the supply. Since 75% of consumer plastics are not recycled, the need for improving recycling rates for plastics is clear.