Many people underestimate the sheer amount of waste generated in schools, but the reality is shocking. The lack of awareness about recycling is evident, especially after school events. After sports games, piles of plastic bottles are left behind, reflecting the wastefulness of daily life. According to a 2022 OECD report, the United States produces 221 kg of plastic waste per person annually, the highest among developed nations.

The way plastic waste is handled in the U.S. varies by state. While high-quality plastics can be processed and reused through recycling systems, most plastic waste ends up in landfills rather than being recycled. Some plastics are incinerated, but this process is heavily regulated due to the risk of emitting harmful substances such as dioxins.
In Indiana, where I live, plastic bottles are processed through recycling, but unlike other states, the Bottle Deposit System (BDS) is not in place. This means consumers are not incentivized to return plastic bottles for a refund. As a result, Indiana's statewide recycling rate is only 19.1%, falling far short of the state's target of 50%. (Source: www.circularin.org)

The plastic bottles we casually drink from, typically made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), decomposing in landfills takes at least 450 years. However, this estimate is optimistic-scientists suggest that plastics could remain intact for centuries in oxygen-deprived, low-light conditions.

The best course of action is, of course, to avoid using plastic altogether. However, in situations where its use is inevitable, the least we can do to mitigate environmental harm is to separate and recycle our waste correctly. Unfortunately, in the dormitory of the boarding school where I currently reside, there is only one large trash bin-one that indiscriminately accommodates all kinds of waste, including food scraps, plastic, glass, and bottles, rather than designated bins for proper waste segregation.

The photos above signal an alarming reality: metal hangers, plastic, paper, cardboard, and vinyl are put together. On top of that, cups and yogurt containers still filled with food residue have all been thrown into a single trash bin. This kind of mixed disposal may lead young students to get used to this way of disposal, normalizing careless waste disposal to the point where, even when they see designated recycling bins in the future, they may ignore them and throw everything into general waste out of habit. Not only is it problematic that students recycle improperly without a second thought or a sense of responsibility but it is also highly irresponsible of the school to provide nothing more than a single large trash bin. This lack of proper waste management encourages irresponsible habits among students and reflects a disregard for fostering environmentally conscious behavior.

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