Recycling

Americans recycle nearly four out of five worn tires, outpacing many other common materials. The figure comes from the latest report by the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association.

11 Mwezi wa sita, 2026 Imeripotiwa na AI

California reached a 38.5 percent carpet recycling rate in 2024 through its extended producer responsibility program. New York will become the second state with such a mandate when its law takes effect in July 2026. The rest of the country continues to send most discarded carpet to landfills.

Potato chip bags, made of seven bonded layers of plastic and metal, cannot be recycled by any U.S. system. Flexible packaging like these pouches is the fastest-growing waste material, with recycling rates below 2 percent. New state policies aim to shift costs to producers.

20 Mwezi wa nne, 2026 Imeripotiwa na AI

Ethiopian designer Kaleab, known as Kalu Putik, has drawn global attention with outfits made from recycled clothes, tires and plastics. His short transformation videos on social media have attracted millions of followers. Celebrities and experts praise his innovative work.