North Carolina residents only recycle 30% of their plastic bottles, the NC Department of Environmental Quality says. But did you know those who choose to throw them in the trash can are technically breaking the law?
At least 27 states have mandatory recycling requirements, and nearly all (49) states ban at least one item from disposal in its solid waste facilities, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures . That includes North Carolina.
Why is it illegal to throw out plastic bottles?
Plastic bottles have been banned from landfill disposal in the state since 2009, according to the NC DEQ — and that ban has helped create thousands of jobs and helps conserve energy and resources .
North Carolina is home to more than 60 companies that rely on recycled material to make essential products like toilet paper, shipping boxes and packaging for food, cleaning, personal hygiene and medical supplies, according to DEQ. These companies employ more than 14,000 workers with total annual sales of more than $4 billion.
What happens if you break that law?
In addition to plastic bottles, state law also bans residents from throwing aluminum cans into the garbage — but it’s unclear what happens if you break the law…