Are you buying the greenwash hype -or isn't it greenwashing at all?

Sometimes it's all just about image but other times it really does go much deeper than that to real environmental and sustainability goals. The largest problem is cutting through the talk and determining what to believe and who is just greenwashing.

There has been a good deal of negative talk lately about the use of plastics and their effect on our environment. When plastic items are not recycled and are landfilled, or worse, littered I agree, they have a large negative impact on our environment. 

The idea of reducing or ending plastic consumption has opened doors to new products. Some of these options are catching on simply because they are not plastic. While some may be good options others are just a form of bait and switch, creating no real environmental benefit or at times negative effects. 

https://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2021/12/11/If-you-re-using-paper-but-you-re-putting-a-plastic-liner-in-it-you-haven-t-really-solved-anything-Footprint-talks-sustainable-packaging

I could put this on repeat but I am a firm believer that we need to follow the three R's in order. Reduce, Reuse and then Recycle. As the product(s) move through the chains of the process,  the responsibility shifts (it's like a handoff). As a manufacturer they are responsible for sourcing recycled content, ensuring that any products that claim recyclability are in fact easily recycled, and managing the production and distribution in the most environmentally friendly way possible. As a consumer, I think the responsibility becomes theirs to ensure that the containers or packaging they purchase are properly recycled (or disposed of). As the recycler, it is their responsibility to ensure that every effort is made to sort, remove contamination, properly dispose of contamination, and ensure that the highest quality and quantity of the received materials are recycled. 

End markets and demand have a huge effect on the recyclability of an item. Even with recycling potential in place, if no manufacturers want or need the material there is little potential of it being recycled. 

There is plenty of need in the area of PET plastic bottles. These are sought-after raw materials that will be recycled (if they make their way into the bins and are not extremely contaminated by undesirable items). Some of the other container options do not have as continual or consistent end markets in place, some have none. Innovative ideas that take our environment into account and help save resources with a real positive impact speak to me. Sometimes there is so much false chatter the conversations are difficult to clearly understand.