(V):

It is good that we recycle plastics. The real problem is not so much the polymers. Polyethylene, polystyrene and other thermoplastics can be melted and recycled. Thermosetting plastics like polyester can be reused for upholstery stuffing, carpets, etc.

The real problem with plastics is UV light degradation and all the plasticizers and additives.

As UV light degrades plastics, small amounts of hydrocarons are released, and some of those have biological activity. As the plastics degrade the plasticizers leach out and those chemicals have biological activity too.

There is a big push now to get rid of plasticizers like BPA because they have estrogenic activity and they can affect fetal and child development as well as increase chances of breast cancer and prostate cancer. In animals they can cause problems too, such as thin and brittle egg shells in birds and they can inhibit reproductive activity in amphibians and reptiles.

Ideally, recycling improvements, changes in legislation, and technological changes can make things better.