Plastics Task Force

The Ecology Center convened the Berkeley Plastics Task Force in February of 1995 to study plastic waste issues, and provide data for the City of Berkeley to look at the feasibility of picking up plastics as part of the established residential curbside recycling program. Members of the Task Force have included Ecology Center staff and board members, representatives of Berkeley's recycling programs, members of the academic community, and other experts on environmental issues.

In order to give consumers and decision-makers some hard facts in a sea of industry promotional and emotional messages, The Task Force produced a report on plastic packaging, plastics "recycling" and other issues surrounding plastics in the waste stream. The Task Force consulted with environmental organizations, plastics industry experts, recycling program operators, solid waste management companies, and public agencies for information and comments on its findings. The 1996 Report of the Berkeley Plastics Task Force is a comprehensive, scientific and independent look at the full life cycle of plastics, from production through disposal.

Findings of the Report include:

• A link exists between the promotion of plastics recycling and an increase in production of virgin resin.
• Plastic packaging production in recent years has outstripped plastic recycling by as much as a six to one-margin, and most of that production is from virgin materials.
• Plastic packaging is not produced from petroleum waste, but from natural gas that could be used otherwise or not extracted at all.
• Although all plastic containers bear the recyclable symbol, most are not recyclable.
• Picking up plastics at curbside costs about $800 of taxpayer money or more per ton.
• Much of the plastic collected for recycling is shipped overseas, and processed under, at best, dubious conditions.
• Many of the products made from the plastic resin that is being recycled are not themselves recyclable, making the "recycling" only temporary diversion from landfill.

Also, with plastics recycling and use come the impacts of production, processing and disposal. Many of the chemicals used to produce plastic resins pose serious health risks. Significant toxic emissions into air and water have been associated with plastics plants, with the plastics industry contributing 14% of the national total of air emissions. Emissions of contaminated waste water are estimated to be 300-500 gallons a minute per plant.

The Berkeley Plastics Task Force is continuing to research and develop public education materials for consumers, and plans to bring a public education campaign to the supermarkets. The following fact sheets can be viewed here:

Common misconceptions about plastic & plastic recycling + strategies for reducing environmental impact

"Adverse Health Effects of Plastics" outlines the known negative health effects of common plastics. (For more information about the adverse health effects of plastics and other household chemicals, visit http://www.pbs.org/tradesecrets/options/protecting.html)

Find out more about plastic waste, recycling, and toxicity issues around the globe: International Plastics Task Force (IPTF)

For more information regarding toxics, visit mindfully.org!

Plastics Task Force
Phone: (510) 527-5555