Elon Musk dismisses plastic recycling as 'pointless,' faces flak

Greenpeace highlights flaws in recycling as Elon Musk fuels the debate.

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Elon Musk has stirred debate after dismissing the value of plastic recycling in a brief but pointed comment on X (formerly Twitter).

Responding to a post by journalist John Stossel, Musk wrote, “Recycling is pointless,” without elaborating further.

Photo: ScreenGrab

Stossel’s original post included a video questioning the efficacy of recycling, citing a report from Greenpeace that labelled plastic recycling a “dead-end street.” Stossel claimed to debunk the “religion of recycling,” an argument Musk seemingly endorsed.

Although Musk has previously advocated for innovation in sustainability—Tesla recycles its batteries, and SpaceX has reused rocket components—his remark has drawn criticism, especially given the widespread plastic pollution crisis.

Greenpeace has pointed out significant limitations in recycling plastics, particularly in the United States. In a report titled “Circular Claims Fall Flat Again,” the organisation revealed that, of the 51 million tonnes of plastic waste generated by U.S. households in 2021, only 2.4 million tonnes—or less than 5%—were recycled.

The report attributes this dismal recycling rate to the technical and economic barriers associated with plastics. Unlike materials such as paper, cardboard, and metals, most plastics cannot be efficiently recycled and often end up in landfills or the environment, exacerbating global pollution.

While Musk is not a climate change denier, he has previously downplayed its impacts. In an interview, he stated, “What happens on the surface of the Earth, like agriculture, does not have a significant impact on climate change.”

Despite his scepticism about recycling, Musk’s companies remain aligned with certain sustainability goals. Tesla has implemented battery recycling programs, and SpaceX has championed the reuse of rocket components to lower costs and reduce waste.

Musk’s comment has sparked a polarised reaction online. Critics argue that such remarks from a prominent tech leader undermine efforts to tackle environmental crises, while supporters praise his willingness to question mainstream practices.