For decades, we’ve been taught to rinse, sort, and recycle—believing that with one toss into the blue bin, we’ve done our part for the planet. But what if we told you that the system we've trusted for so long isn't working? And that when it comes to plastic, recycling is more of a myth than a solution?
This Earth Day, it’s time to rethink what sustainability really means—and why the most eco-friendly action isn’t recycling. It’s reducing.
The Shocking Truth About Plastic Recycling
Many of us assume that when we recycle a shampoo bottle, it’s broken down and turned into something useful again. But the reality is far more sobering:
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According to the EPA’s “Advancing Sustainable Materials Management” report (2021), only about 8% of plastic waste is actually recycled in the U.S.
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That means over 91% of plastic ends up in landfills, incinerators, or the natural environment.
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Even when marked "recyclable," many plastics are not economically or technically viable to process.
Contamination, mixed materials, and limited facilities make most plastic “recyclable” in theory—but not in practice.
Why Shampoo Bottles Don’t Make It
How many times do you rinse your shampoo bottle before recycling it? How often do you remove the cap or pump? If your answer is “never,” there’s a good chance your bottles didn’t actually get recycled.
Even if you rinse it and put it in the correct bin:
• It might be too contaminated.
• It might not be accepted by local facilities.
• It might be downcycled once and then landfilled forever.
In other words, most plastic packaging is designed for convenience—not sustainability.
So What’s the Real Solution? - Reduce Plastic
It’s not about perfect sorting. It’s about asking the harder question:
Do we even need the plastic in the first place?
The most sustainable option is not to recycle—it’s to refuse and reduce.
- Choose plastic-free products
- Support companies that use biodegradable or refillable packaging
- Simplify your routine and reduce consumption overall
At Originature, we’ve designed every product to align with that philosophy. Our shampoo and conditioner bars come with zero plastic, zero pump, and zero guilt. No bottle to sort. Nothing to throw away.
Just clean, concentrated care that’s good for your scalp and the soil it all comes from.
The Bottom Line: Waste Less, Live More
Recycling isn’t bad—it’s just not enough.
And in the case of plastic, it’s often a feel-good myth that shifts responsibility from corporations to consumers.
This Earth Day, we invite you to go deeper:
Don’t just recycle. Rethink. Refuse. Reduce.
Because real sustainability doesn’t end in the recycling bin—it starts with the choices we make before we ever buy.
Ready to take the next step?