The plastics industry has long pushed for recycling as a way to clean up its image. But large-scale, effective plastic recycling remains a myth. In 2021, the United Nations Environment Program reported there were 75 million to 199 million tons of plastic waste in the oceans. Plastic continues to drive climate change and threaten human health, biodiversity and the environment — sometimes in ways the public can’t even see.
ProPublica wants to better understand everything about the plastics industry, from how supply chains work to the health impacts of its products to the unwanted plastic wealthy nations export to lower-income countries. We want to hear from people working in growing fields of the industry, like chemical/advanced recycling and plastic credits. We’re particularly interested in talking to experts and residents outside of North America and Europe.
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