[margalabargala]

> We put it in trash bins [...]

This isn't the case, at least in the US. Trash from trash bins is almost exclusively dealt with locally, whether in landfills or incinerators. Essentially zero US household trash is shipped internationally.

Recycling is another matter. Plastic recycling frequently does follow the path you mentioned.

For this reason it can sometimes be more environmentally friendly to throw away plastic waste, sequestering it in your local landfill, than "recycling" it into the Pacific ocean.

[wedernoch]

> This isn't the case, at least in the US. Trash from trash bins is almost exclusively dealt with locally, whether in landfills or incinerators.

It's exactly the same in Germany. I was talking about plastic.

In germany we recycle paper and "some" plastic. But all I've seen/read is, it's a miniscule amount. Like greenwashing. Most of it get's just shipped somewhere else with some super shady "we recycle it for you, so you can can wash you hands in innocence" deals. And IIRC it's the same for the US. During Covid there were numerous chinese container ships waiting on the US coast after unloading, to load "recycling material", because waiting was cheaper than driving back empty. (they just dump it somewhere in the end)

[tomatotomato37]

Actually if you look at EU export statistics, so little actual plastic waste gets exported to the Pacific (in contrast to wood chips going to Netherland power plants or cubed cars going wherever) that if 100% of it did end up in the ocean it would only increase the level of plastic outflow by a single percent. One of my earlier comments here has the more proof with links and stuff, it's just really buried and I don't feel like finding it right now