プラスチックと金属を7層に重ねて作られるポテトチップスの袋は、米国のいかなるシステムでもリサイクルができません。こうした柔軟な包装材は最も急増している廃棄物であり、そのリサイクル率は2％未満にとどまっています。新たな州政策は、その費用負担を生産者に転換させることを目指しています。
ポテトチップスの袋は、遮光のための金属化ポリエステル、密封用のポリエチレン、ラベル表示用のプリントフィルム、酸素バリア層、追加のシーラント、構造層、食品に直接触れる内側の層など、7つの層で構成されています。これら多層の複合材は鮮度を保ち賞味期限を延ばす一方で、素材の分離が不可能なため、機械的なリサイクルが困難です。米国内の廃棄物処理施設（MRF）では、軽量ゆえに絡まったり設備が詰まったりする問題や、中国が2018年に廃プラスチックの輸入を禁止したことで国内市場が存在しないことから、効果的に処理することができません。
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South Korea's government urged the public on Monday not to worry about shortages of standard plastic garbage bags amid the Middle East conflict disrupting naphtha supplies. Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment Kim Sung-hwan stated in a Facebook post that all necessary measures have been taken. Hoarding has emerged recently due to a sharp rise in polyethylene prices, a key material for the bags.
As of early 2026, twelve states have implemented statewide bans on single-use plastic bags, with additional restrictions on foam containers and hotel toiletries gaining traction. Extended producer responsibility laws now cover packaging waste in seven states, shifting costs from taxpayers to producers. However, preemption laws in several states limit local actions, and the U.S. lags behind the EU and parts of Asia in comprehensive plastic regulation.
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Every spring, millions of gardeners rely on plastic plug trays to start seedlings, but most end up in landfills. The U.S. container crop industry generates around 500 million such containers yearly, totaling 350 million pounds of waste. Experts highlight challenges in recycling these items and suggest reuse and alternative options.
The Circularity Gap Report 2024 reveals that the global economy's circularity has declined to 7.2 percent, down from 9.1 percent in 2018. This means less than 8 percent of consumed materials like steel, plastic, and food come from recycled or reused sources. The report, published by Circle Economy with Deloitte, highlights the persistence of the linear take-make-dispose model amid rising sustainability discussions.
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Nitrile, latex, and vinyl disposable gloves, common in medical and daily use since the pandemic, are not biodegradable and pose landfill challenges. New and expanded recycling initiatives allow individuals and businesses to divert non-hazardous gloves from waste streams into reusable materials or energy production. Programs from TerraCycle and manufacturers like Fisher Scientific and Medline provide accessible options for proper disposal.