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Implementing Plastics Recycling Mandates.

Hannah Sobota 20'
(magazine)

Gail L. Achterman wrote this article specifically plastic packaging and recycling mandates. Gail leads
in with talking about mandatory recycling requirements and how even though recycling was a thing, the
percentage was extremely low because not many people paid attention to it. At first, only a few states
and cities were forced to listen to regulations regarding plastic. For example; Califorina needed to ban
plastic grocery bags unless they were made out of recycled plastic, and Florida banned polystyrene
foam products that are in food containers. Next Gail talks about Legislative attention and large obstacles
they face that involve recycling. One obstacle is that some plastic materials are not allowed to be
recycled due to the colors and labels that contaminate it. Another problem is that mixed use of plastic
resin causes processing problems. The biggest problem legislatures have is mandating mandatory
recycling laws that prohibit the use or sale of plastic containers Resin types and the recycling symbol
has caused a lot of talk because some companies feel very strongly about the symbol because it
promotes plastic recycling and they believe it will make a huge difference. Some disagree with
“chasing arrows” as the symbol because they want a more clear symbol. California, Oregon,
Florida, and Wisconsin have disputes over implementation of new mandatory recycling laws.
California and Oregon are required to demonstrate how the requirements are being met. Plastic
containers that contain medical supplements are exempt. According to Gail, legislative and
regulatory efforts to continue recycling is unclear because everyone is not in agreement. Some want
to find a way to make plastic sustainable. A big issue with mandatory recycling is that the government
does not want to help out as much as they need to. Without the help of the government, people will see
that plastic waste does not matter that much.

This source relates to my other sources because it talks a lot about plastic packaging, packaging that
we don’t even think about when opening items. Plastic packaging is popular because it is convenient,
and keeps things preserved and fresh. The intended audience are states, cities, companies, and
businesses. This content is significant to my research because it talks a lot about why recycling does
not work as well as it should. It mentions a lot about where a lot of plastic waste comes from and why
a lot of it is not recycled when I could/should be. I understand that it is going to be expensive if we
really want to make a difference, but I know that it will be worth it because not only does it save the
environment, but also our bodies.

Achterman, Gail L. “Implementing Plastics Recycling Mandates.” Natural Resources & Environment, vol. 9, no. 2, 1994, pp. 13–15. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/40924290. Accessed 29 Jan. 2020.
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