That sound, it's your recycling at work and you can thank a Wisconsin woman for making
it happen.
Millie Zantau saw a waste sorting system in Japan during a trip in the 1970s.
She came home to prairie to sack and sock county, inspired.
Her research led to the triangle numbered plastic recycling system we still use today.
So can you guess what percent of all the plastics produced in the United States ends up being
recycled?
75%, 25%, or 5%, the answer coming up.
Zantau also helped with Wisconsin's recycling laws along with the opening of one of the
first collection centers.
But now are you surprised to learn the answer is just 5% of plastics are recycled?
It's according to the group beyond plastic.
Yet Zantau always believed you don't have to be perfect.
You just have to start.
There's a smart slice of Wisconsin.
I'm Terry Barr for the Civic Media Radio Network.