I turned this plastic bottle into new plastic - why was it so hard?

Recycling is one of the most complex industries in the US. It’s highly localized and not all that profitable. So what’s actually going on? I followed the entire lifecycle of a plastic bottle to find out. Follow Macy and Dylan https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTcoGluWQIxCK7ON7wla8fA https://www.instagram.com/macyagilliam/ https://www.instagram.com/dylanoza/ Ever wonder who pays me what in these videos? I’ll tell you! No one paid us anything to make this. We (Morning Brew) funded this entirely and retain full editorial control. Republic did give us that cool little lego truck, though. Intro music by Caleb Moore https://open.spotify.com/artist/5MvhDtSpUj3Y95BuiRtnp2?si=1-vmTXI4Sg2giXkJxEVGlA&nd=1&dlsi=f58de4683a4c4acc Further reading Glass Half Full https://glasshalffull.co/ Professor Lily’s book, Resisting Garbage https://utpress.utexas.edu/9781477323700/ Citizen Coke https://bookshop.org/p/books/citizen-coke-the-making-of-coca-cola-capitalism-bartow-j-elmore/92de4b9ce8f7b948 Coca-Cola lowers ambition with new 2035 packaging sustainability targets Wayback machine link for Coke’s World Without Waste https://web.archive.org/web/20180119172659/https://www.coca-colacompany.com/press-center/press-releases/the-coca-cola-company-announces-new-global-vision-to-help-create More on New Orleans recycling City Council decision to drop universal recycling program followed opposition from waste haulers - Verite News New Orleans You had questions about recycling in New Orleans. Here’s what we know. As deadline approaches, mayor seeks to revive no-cost federal grant for universal recycling — but does not want money for carts - Verite News New Orleans