Berkeley Farmers’ Markets
Plastics Task Force
The Ecology Center convened the Berkeley Plastics Task Force in February of 1995 to investigate the waste issues associated with the full lifecycle of plastics. Ecology Center staff and Board members were joined by representatives of Berkeley’s recycling programs, the academic community, and other experts on environmental issues. The Task Force consulted with environmental organizations, plastics industry experts, recycling program operators, solid waste management companies, and public agencies.
The Berkeley Plastics Task Force summarized their findings in a comprehensive report published April 8, 1996. Access the full report here or read excerpts from the report below.
PTF Ch.1: What Plastics Are Made Of
How plastic resin is produced from fossil fuels, energy comparisons with glass, and the 1995 virgin resin market.
PTF Ch.2: The Plastics Industry
Industrial concentration of resin production, opposition to recycled-content laws, and the misleading chasing arrows symbol.
PTF Ch.3: Environmental Impact
Pollution from plastic manufacturing, toxic additives and food migration, and the limits of recycling as a diversion strategy.
PTF Ch.4: Reusing
Strategies for plastic reuse
PTF Ch.5: Reprocessing
Plastics reprocessing methods
PTF Ch.6: Discard Stream
Plastics in the waste stream
PTF Ch.7: Costs & Benefits
Cost-benefit analysis of plastics
PTF Ch.8: Other Communities
How other cities handle plastics
PTF Ch.9: Misconceptions
Common plastics recycling myths
PTF Ch.10: Alternatives
Alternatives to plastic materials
