Plastics are a rapidly growing segment of the nation's municipal solid waste stream.
Our nation generated more than 19.3 million tons of plastic waste in 1994, and yet less than 5 percent was recovered by recycling. Although more plastic was recycled in 1994 than in years past, the U.S. is throwing away more plastics than ever. Here in Ohio, most of the plastics that end up in our local landfills are from packaging and containers. Plastic is a valuable commodity because it is an oil or natural gas-based product. By recycling plastics, Ohioans are saving energy and conserving a non-renewable source.