TED-Ed

What do these numbers actually mean? - Shannon Odell (2023x83)

: 17, 2023

If you’ve ever looked at the bottom of a disposable bottle or cup, you’ve probably noticed a recycling symbol. Seeing this, many people assume the item should be put in a recycling bin. Yet many plastics are incapable of being recycled at most centers. In fact, only 9% is recycled each year. So why are so few plastics recycled? And what do these symbols actually mean? Shannon Odell investigates. Lesson by Shannon Odell, directed by Yuval Haker, Alon Sivan.