New insights from global risk consulting firm Verisk Maplecroft shows that the US produces more rubbish than other developed countries, 234 pounds of plastic waste per person per year to be exact. The US also recycles less rubbish than other developed countries – only 35% of their municipal waste, compared to 68% in Germany – despite having better recycling abilities than most of the world.

These figures are worrying, considering the worsening global waste crisis, mainly caused by plastics building up in developing countries and the world’s oceans. The US has been accused of blocking international efforts to reduce plastic waste, such as banning plastic bags and single-use water bottles. International efforts to reduce plastic waste must proceed, despite the US not being party to a global agreement looking to reduce the flow of poor-quality plastics to developing nations.

Link: https://grist.org/article/the-u-s-is-way-worse-at-recycling-than-other-developed-countries/