MISCONCEPTIONS OF

RECYCLING
WHAT IS RECYCLING?
A FUNDAMENTAL PART OF THE TRIANGLE

Recycling is a form of waste management that involves

converting waste and other used materials into
reusable products.

HOW THE THREE R'S WORK

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

It is preferred to reduce the overall amount of products we

consume or resources being used to create a product. Repeatedly
reusing is preferred to disposable one-time-use products. When
an item has been made and used as wisely as possible, then we can
recycle the materials into other usable products.

OVER-CONSUMPTION
REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE?

The average person creates 4 pounds of solid waste every day,

equating to 1.5 tons per year. The EPA estimates 75% of the
waste is recyclable; however we only recycle about 30%.

MISLEADING ARROWS
POINTING US IN THE WRONG DIRECTION

The recycling arrows stamped on plastic products & the

cities that collect every type of plastic via their recycling
programs lead people to believe that all plastic products
are recyclable & being recycled. That’s simply not true.
Non-recyclable plastics are separated & landfilled.

REDUCE AND REUSE ARE VITAL FOR SUCCESS

OVER-EXERCISING ONE ARROW AND NOT THE REST

The most effective way to reduce waste is to not create it in the first place.
Making a new product requires a lot of materials and energy. Reduce and
reuse are the most effective ways you can save natural resources, protect
the environment and save money.

CONSEQUENCES OF MISMANAGEMENT
LEAVING A TRAIL OF WASTE, NOT BREADCRUMBS

Up to 12 million metric tons of plastic enter our ocean each year. Discarded
plastic fishing lines entangle turtles and seabirds, and plastic pieces of all sizes
choke and clog the stomachs of creatures, from tiny zooplankton to whales,
who mistake it for food. Plastic is now entering every level of the ocean food
chain and is being found in the seafood on our plates. Single-use plastics are
filling up our landfills, choking our rivers, and contaminating our oceans.