Passage 2

Plastics play an important role in almost every aspect of our lives. Plastics are used to manufacture everyday products such as beverage containers, toys, and furniture. The widespread use of plastics demands proper disposal of plastic waste. Plastics make up almost 13 percent of the urban solid waste stream, a dramatic increase from 1960, when plastics were less than one percent of the waste stream. The largest category of plastics are found in containers and packaging (e.g. soft drink bottles, lids, shampoo bottles), but they are also found in durable (e.g. appliances, furniture) and nondurable goods (e.g. diapers, trash bags, utensils, and medical devices）. The recycling rate for different types of plastics varies greatly, resulting in an overall plastic recycling rate of only 8 percent, or 2.7 million tons in 2011.

Currently, the US has the capacity to recycle plastics at a greater rate as a latest technology has come into being that helps inconverting plastic waste disposal into a good source of green fuel. A new process for turning plastics into fuel was invented. First, many different kinds of unwashed plastics are melted together. Then a special chemical is used to turn the fluid into a vapor（蒸汽）. This reduces the plastic to its most basic elements to make it have a high fuel value. It is tested that 86 percent of what goes in comes out as fuel. And 8 percent of the recycled plastic is used to run the system. This technology will reduce the country’s dependence on foreign oil and the amount of plastic waste in its landfills (垃圾填埋场).

Scientists say plastic-to-oil technology is still new and developing. They say it is not yet known if the process is environmentally friendly. And some question whether turning plastics into oil can even be considered “recycling”. Carson Max is with the publication Resource Recycling, a magazine that reports on the plastic recycling industry. He says because there is a lot of plastic waste and a great demand for oil, the recycling technology may create great changes in both industries. “So they’re getting value from something that would otherwise go to the landfill, things that wouldn’t be accepted into a recycler.”