memes

It is worth noting that other types of materials are regularly recycled fairly well

For instance, paper and carboard (as long as it's without food grease) work well

Also worth noting that #1 and #2 plastics are usually recycled. #3 and above are typically not economically viable and thus not recycled. They have higher cost and produce lower quality plastics after recyling

There was a time when China had such high raw demand for plastics that they would recycle large amounts of the higher number plastics from other countries. They no longer do so

These distinctions are typically not expressed to people very well. In any case, recycling is supposed to be the thing that comes after trying to reduce waste and reuse waste. It's not a magical bullet, but it can help with the things you can't easily reduce or reuse. Somehow it became the focal point of everything and the other two got lost

Why is this spammed every day on lenmy this is without question an astroturfing campaign. It's not that funny, it's not productive or informative, it's defeatism and pessimism

Don't look too much into "dolphin-safe" tuna.

Both can be true, don't pressure yourself. Just do what you can if you feel like it and vote for people who do too

Plastic may be so, but glass recycling has been a thing for decades (depending on where you are), aliminium recycling is all well, same for paper (if grease free) There's also wooden alternatives for a lot of plastic/silicon stuff, and wood can be reused/burned/mulched.

So in a way it IS your responsibility - to give up plastic

You can actually recycle some plastics at home with a flat tray and an oven. PET, LDP and HDP can all be sorted, cut up and placed on a tray. With a relatively low heat setting they'll flatten out into a sheet that can be cut and used for hobbying or other purposes.

Look for tutorials online for the details.

Also, some countries have MUCH BETTER recycling programs than others.

Regardless of whoever came up with the idea, recycling does help and you should do it:

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20230317-how-recycling-can-help-the-climate-and-other-facts

It may not save the planet on its own, but it is part of the solution.

If you have a municipal waste-to-energy facility, it's somehow actually more efficient and safer to get it incinerated.

Highly recommended if you can't avoid plastics for whatever reason.

They do have aluminum recylable all sorts of stuff now too.

Cups, straws, etc.

I think I remember reading somewhere that if we got rid of the 5 biggest cruise ships and all private jets that would almost cut co2 emissions by 50%.