Tracking your plastic: Exposing recycling myths (Marketplace)

Summary

This investigative piece delves into the shadowy underworld of the global recycling industry, uncovering the shocking truth behind Canada's plastic waste. With undercover operations and a fake company, 'Market Plastics,' the exposé reveals toxic conditions in Malaysian factories and the illegal dumping of Canadian plastic overseas. The team's tests in British Columbia show a mere 9% of plastic is actually recycled, with the rest incinerated or landfilled, challenging the public's trust in recycling programs and prompting a call for reduced plastic use.

Takeaways

• 🌏 The multibillion-dollar recycling industry has a dark side, with Canadian plastic waste ending up in Malaysia and other countries.
• 📹 An undercover investigation with hidden cameras revealed unsafe working conditions and illegal activities within the plastic recycling industry.
• 🚫 The industry is highly secretive, with the use of a fake company 'Market Plastics' to infiltrate and expose the truth.
• 😷 Workers in recycling factories are exposed to potentially toxic fumes without proper protection.
• 💸 The profitability of recycling leads to illegal activities, with businesses willing to break the law to obtain plastic.
• 🔎 A test of the Canadian recycling system involved tracking 9 tonnes of used plastic and discovering that it was not properly recycled.
• 🗑️ Plastic waste intended for recycling is often cheaper to send overseas for dumping rather than being recycled at home.
• 🔍 The investigation found Canadian plastic waste, including recognizable brands, in massive dumps and illegal recycling operations.
• 🛑 In Malaysia, authorities are cracking down on illegal recyclers, but the influx of foreign plastic continues.
• 🔥 The improper disposal of plastic waste, including open burning, releases toxic chemicals into the environment.
• 🏭 Large-scale recycling facilities were found to be sources of pollution, affecting the health of nearby residents and the environment.
• 🔽 Only a small percentage of plastic is actually recycled in Canada, with the rest either burned, dumped, or sent overseas.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the 'Marketplace' investigation?

The main focus of the investigation is to uncover why Canada's Blue Box plastic ends up in other countries, particularly Malaysia, and the secretive practices within the multibillion-dollar recycling industry.

Why did the team create a fake company called 'Market Plastics'?

The team created 'Market Plastics' to infiltrate the secretive recycling industry by posing as plastic dealers from Canada, allowing them to capture hidden camera footage inside factories.

What did the investigation reveal about the working conditions in the plastic recycling factories in Malaysia?

The investigation revealed that workers in these factories are exposed to potentially toxic fumes without proper protection.

What was the catch when David offered to sell Canadian plastic to the factory owners in Malaysia?

The catch was that the factory owners were willing to break the law to obtain Canadian plastic due to the high profitability of the recycling business.

What is the situation with plastic recycling in British Columbia, as depicted in the script?

British Columbia is shown as having Canada's best recycling record, but the script implies that there are still significant issues with the actual recycling process and the tracking of plastic waste.

How much plastic did the team buy to test the Canadian recycling system?

The team bought 9 tonnes of used plastic to test the Canadian recycling system.

What did the team discover about the plastic waste in Malaysia?

They discovered a vast field of plastic waste, two-storeys high, dumped in Malaysia instead of being recycled, including plastic from various countries and Canadian plastic waste with identifiable logos and brand names.

What measures is the Malaysian government taking to stop the flow of plastic waste?

The Malaysian government is raiding ports where plastic arrives in an attempt to stop the flow of plastic waste and has shut down about 150 illegal recyclers.

What is the impact of plastic waste on the environment and local communities as shown in the script?

The script shows that plastic waste leads to environmental pollution, such as dumping grounds and burning plastic, which releases toxic chemicals into the air and water, affecting local communities and their health.

What is the role of Lydia Ong in the script?

Lydia Ong is a former politician turned activist who shows the consequences of plastic waste on the environment, taking the team to sites of what was once pristine forest and now polluted areas due to plastic waste.

What does the script imply about the effectiveness of the Canadian recycling system?

The script implies that the Canadian recycling system is flawed, with only 9% of plastic being recycled and a significant amount ending up in landfills or overseas, contrary to the expectations of those who diligently recycle.

What is the stance of the Canadian plastics industry on policies aimed at curbing plastic use?

The Canadian plastics industry, represented by Joe Hruska, has fought against policies aimed at curbing plastic use, such as plastic bag bans, arguing that plastic use protects the environment and human health.

What is the expert opinion on the environmental impact of recycling as presented in the script?

Myra Hird, a waste management expert at Queen's University, suggests that recycling is not environmentally beneficial as it often involves chemical processes that create additional waste, and should be considered a last resort.

What was the outcome of the plastic sent to GFL for recycling?

The plastic sent to GFL did not get recycled. Instead, it was incinerated at a waste-to-energy facility, which contradicts the expectations set by the company's environmental promises.

What happened to the plastic that Waste Connections was supposed to recycle?

The plastic intended for recycling by Waste Connections ended up in a landfill, which was not the intended outcome and was a result of miscommunication, according to the company.

What is the current recycling rate of plastic in Canada according to the script?

According to the script, only 9% of plastic is currently being recycled in Canada.