Another thing we can do is be very careful to not buy into the plastics recycling fantasy. The vast majority of new manufacturered plastic cannot and will not ever be recycled. The economics simply are not right — and sometimes the technology isn't right either.

That could change one day, so I don't mean stop supporting research into meaningful recycling.

What I mean, as a former recycling entrepreneur, is that if you're assuaging your conscience about all the plastic you use by throwing it the recycling bin — you've been deceived by the plastics industry.

The vast majority of the plastic in that bin will never be recycled. The small fraction that is recycled will likely never be recycled again. Current technology doesn't allow it to be.

Where does the plastic in your recycling bin go? To landfills. Sometimes shipped to landfills in developing nations with looser environmental protection regulations.

Some of it undoubtedly ends up the ocean.

So yes, please do everything you can to reduce plastic consumption. And please understand that recycling is not an effective alternative to reducing consumption.