Plastic Recycling Fires Highlight Pollution and Safety Concerns.

A massive fire at a plastic recycling facility in Richmond, Indiana, has forced 2,000 residents to evacuate due to toxic smoke. The fire is a reminder that plastics are a pollution nightmare, and recycling can't fix the problem. Plastic waste piles up because of the chemistry and costs involved, and when it does, it can become dangerous. Plastic is made out of fossil fuels, which makes it highly flammable and difficult to put out. Burning plastic releases substances known to be harmful to humans, including dioxins, which have been linked to cancer and reproductive and developmental problems.