This story was originally published byGrist.
Feeling guilty about all those blue-and-white plastic Amazon bags piling up around the house?
Fear not they can be recycled!
Photo: Robert Michael / Picture Alliance via Grist (Getty Images)
At least, thats what the packaging says.
The problem, however, is that the system doesnt seem to be working.
Only four trackers eventually made their way to a material recovery facility that sorts plastics for recycling.
All the claims the companies are making are just greenwashing, he told Bloomberg.
Just four made it to locations that can recycle plastic.
Twelve bundles have been sent to a landfill or waste station, and one to an incinerator.
Theyre absolutely lying with these labels, Dell said.
The store drop-off system has never worked, it was never true.
How2Recycle now links customers toa different directoryhosted atEarth911.
How2Recycle did not respond to Grists request for comment.
Target and Georgia Pacific did not respond to Grists request for comment.
A spokesperson said the company is investing in better recycling infrastructure while also reducing plastics use overall.
The company alsoeliminated plastic packaging in Indiaafter Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged toban single-use plastic nationwide by 2022.
This article originally appeared inGristathttps://grist.org/accountability/amazon-says-its-plastic-packaging-can-be-recycled-an-investigation-finds-it-usually-isnt/.
Grist is a nonprofit, independent media organization dedicated to telling stories of climate solutions and a just future.
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