Arkin, C. (2018, February 15).

China’s Ban on Plastic Waste Imports Is a Wake-Up Call for the

United States. Retrieved November 5, 2018, from

http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/XRKYBX173818070/OVIC?u=txshracd2603&sid=O

VIC&xid=f1bea716. In the article Arkin explains first that China is the number one

receiver of the world’s recyclable plastics. The reader then discovers that China has

banned all imports of plastics from other countries, forcing the United States to

reevaluate the recycling industry. Arkin warns that many countries may try and step up to

the plate but to be the world’s next recycling super power, but they may not be equipped

for the job. This could potentially lead to the incineration of these plastics which in turn

leads to greenhouse gases and pollutants in the atmosphere. Claire Arkin is a campaign

and communications associate for GAIA (Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives) as

well as being involved in several programs to promote environmental preservation

efforts.

Buller, R. (2018). The recycling front line: For most of us, filling the recycling bin is an easy

way to do our bit for the environment but are we all helping as much as we think we

are? Norfolk Magazine, (228), 32. Retrieved from http://0

search.ebscohost.com.lib.utep.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f6h&AN=129349252&sit

e=eds-live&scope=site The article opens up by describing a recycling plant in the United

Kingdom as a place that has an endless stream of materials flooding into it daily. The

author spoke to a representative of the plant who says it is great that people are so keen to

participate but sometimes people recycle things that cannot be recycled. The remainder of

the article is certain tips and rules that hope to help the people recycle more effectively.
Leopp, D. (2017). Consumers should make sensible choices. Plastics News, 28(24), 0006.

Retrieved from http://0

search.ebscohost.com.lib.utep.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=b9h&AN=124920969&sit

e=eds-live&scope=site. Throughout the article the author poses the questions, “Can we

manage to use less stuff without resorting to bans?” In 2011 the National Park Service

placed a ban on the sale of plastic water bottles in their parks. The author states that

National Parks have the right idea, but people were still consuming other drinks packaged

in plastic bottles and then eventually littering them all over the park. Leopp the author,

concludes that a better solution would be to set up recycling containers throughout the

park to discourage littering. The is an important article in that it asks the reader if bans

are as effective as education and programs that make it easier for the public to make a

decision that benefits all parties involved.

Greene, J. P. (2014). Sustainable plastics: environmental assessments of biobased,

biodegradable, and recycled plastics. Retrieved from https://0-ebookcentral-proquest-

com.lib.utep.edu. Joseph P. Greene has a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the

University of Michigan where he is also a professor. In his book Dr. Greene first warns

the reader of the environmental damages caused by the lack of sustainable use of plastics

by the majority of world. Dr. Greene next suggest the necessary steps needed to

implement sustainable use of various types of plastics. Not only does Dr. Green explain

how countries would adjust their use of plastics but also why they would want to.
The Times Editorial Board. (2018). The United States Needs to Phase Out All Single-Use

Plastic. In Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection. Detroit, MI: Gale. (Reprinted from

Grocery bags and takeout containers aren’t enough. It’s time to phase out all single-use

plastic, Los Angeles Times, 2018, February 20) Retrieved from http://0-

link.galegroup.com.lib.utep.edu/apps/doc/KDGNCM058973610/OVIC?u=txshracd2603

&sid=OVIC&xid=695b9db0. This article first tell the reader about measures taken by

countries other than the United States to limit the amount of single-use plastic used by its

citizens. It then goes on to state how the United States is not going to follow suite, so it is

up to individual states to set reduction goals. The article ends by stating that the change

would not dramatically affect people’s level of convenience they have become

accustomed to. This piece continues in the belief that recycling helps but people need to

be educated about what can and cannot be recycled.

T. (2017, April 7). The Truth About Recycling. Retrieved from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZy08fMFyb4. The Girl Gone Green or Manuala,

opens the video with stating that there are many problems when it comes to recycling. A

big issue she brings up is that many people don’t know what can and cannot be recycled.

When an item that is not recyclable is thrown into the recycling bin it risks contaminating

all the other materials in the bin. She also explains that recycling plants are one of the

biggest emissions producers in the world. I find this video useful because it expands on

the thought that even recycling plants cause pollution and can damage the Earth.

U.S. Plastic Recycling Rate Projected to Drop to 4.4% in 2018. (2018). Waste360. Retrieved

November 7, 2018, from http://0-

eds.a.ebscohost.com.lib.utep.edu/eds/detail/detail?vid=5&sid=8f425323-3c15-4086-aaa7-

fc791467d9f6@sdc-v-

sessmgr02&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmUmc2NvcGU9c2l0ZQ==#AN=13215457

5&db=voh. The article opens by stating that after examining data from the Environmental

Protection Agency it is estimated that the recycling rate in the United States will drop to

4.4% by the end of 2018.The author then shows the four factors that explain this drop in

recycling plastic in the U.S.A. The author Jan Dell makes the point that recycling is not

the solution to plastic pollution, the real solution is to find a way to cut plastic out of our

lives. This article is relevant because it informs the public that recycling is not the cure all

solution that is assumed to be.