Many people assume that when they see the “chasing arrows” symbol on packaging, like a takeout container, it ensures recyclability if placed in the correct bin. This assumption is misleading. The symbol, introduced by a California college student for the first Earth Day in 1970, was initially meant as a universal indicator for recyclability.
However, in the late 1980s, the Society of the Plastics Industry repurposed the icon to classify types of plastic, without considering recyclability. Unfortunately, in the U.S., less than 9% of plastics are recycled, although the country produces the most plastic waste worldwide. Most plastics end up in landfills, are exported, or poorly managed, harming our oceans. Every minute, oceans receive over a garbage truck’s worth of plastic globally.
Plastics found on beaches usually cannot be recycled. Even minimal amounts of plastic pollution are lethal to marine life; for instance, ingesting less than a sugar cube of plastic can kill half of the Atlantic puffin population. This gap between consumer perception and reality of the recycling symbol highlights regulatory failures, negatively affecting Americans and their waterways.
A recent bill aims to simplify recycling label regulations, reducing greenwashing and recycling contamination. The Truth in Labeling Act is a necessary advancement in U.S. plastics legislation. Proposed by Sen. Jeff Merkley and Rep. Lou Correa, the act would establish clear guidelines for labeling products as “recyclable,” “compostable,” or “reusable.” Companies must prove that items can be widely recycled and are sought-after by recyclers.
Significantly, the bill dismisses harmful chemical recycling technologies as legitimate recycling methods. It prohibits using the chasing arrows symbol on non-recyclable materials, stopping consumers from being misled about recycling prospects.
The need for clear recycling labels is so vital that two other bills, the PACK Act and the Recycled Materials Attribution Act, have emerged. However, these bills maintain weak standards, permitting greenwashing practices. For instance, the latter bill equalizes plastics converted into fuels through harmful recycling processes with truly recycled materials, encouraging toxic practices. Thus, a plastic bag might claim “100 percent recycled content” using credits, despite being made mostly from virgin plastic.
Although the PACK Act claims to solve consumer confusion, it appoints third-party industry certifiers to define recyclability. This perpetuates the existing confusion they created and limits state interventions for needed clarity.
To effectively tackle ocean plastic pollution, reducing plastic production is crucial—supported by a comprehensible recycling system for Americans. The Truth in Labeling Act addresses our recycling system’s urgent need for reform.
Anja Brandon, Ph.D., is the director of plastics policy at Ocean Conservancy.