When Is “Recyclable” Not Really Recyclable? When the Plastics Industry Gets to Define What the Word Means.

Frida Ghitis: Plastic bags take 1,000 years to disintegrate, shedding hormone-disrupting chemicals as they do.

She says no system exists to routinely recycle them; some states have banned them and stores give discounts to customers with reusable bags.

Ghitis says the plastics industry is working to make the public feel OK about using them again.

She asks the federal government to allow them to put the label “recyclable” on bags and other plastic items.

Ghits: Only 5% of Americans ’ plastic finds new life; only 5% find new life.

The industry persuaded 39 states to require the use of “recyclable” symbols to prevent bans on plastic packaging.

Frida Ghitis: States were weighing legislation to deal with it, and the American Plastics Council was convening meetings to head off threats.

She says the industry argues that recycling is never guaranteed in a product that is technically recyclable.

Ghitis says the FTC Green Guides allow companies to make blanket claims if 60% of consumers or communities have access to recycling facilities.

Research shows people can produce more waste when they think it will be recycled.