Critics: Plastics industry misled public about viability of recycling despite internal warnings

Critics accuse plastics industry of perpetuating myth that most plastics are recyclable, despite knowing recycling is not economically viable.

Only 5-6% of plastic waste is actually recycled; the rest goes to landfills or is burned.

Industry promoted recycling since the 1980s as a solution to plastic waste, although documents show they knew it would not work.

Plastics industry launches new campaign claiming recycling is real, but critics see it as more "recycled lies."

With plastic production set to triple by 2050, over 170 countries work on UN treaty to end plastic pollution.