No, not the ones coming out of the cosmetic surgeon’s office (there are a lot of oldies round here).
The plastics industry is very important here. Some of the world’s best polar fleece is made here, as well as paints and other plastic things. But, as we all know, plastic does not biodegrade. At best, it photodegrades, getting smaller and smaller but remaining plastic in it’s heart. The story of the North Pacific Gyre, with it’s continent of floating plastic is enough to make anyone think twice about chucking that water bottle. But what to do?
Well, in a nice model of sustainability, a number of plastics manufacturers are cashing in and also recycling their products. The association Anarpla is based in Valencia and represents some 70% of plastics recycling in the country. You’d have to be pretty informed on plastics to get much joy out of this site, but it’s nice to know it exists. I’m gonna see about finding some nice pile fabric…
