Updated on 03/04/2019
-
Unacceptable products like electronics (which contain toxic materials) endanger recycling workers and cause delays, and further landfilling
-
Unacceptable materials (like plastic bags) jam machinery in sorting centers (MRFs) causing delays and increased costs
-
Unacceptable materials (like liquid or food) mix with recyclables, lowering their quality and causing them to be landfilled or incinerated instead of recycled
-
All of the above
Know what’s recyclable in your area. Make sure your containers are empty, clean and dry, and keep all food (and food residue) out of the recycle bin.
-
Keep all non-recyclable materials out of the bin
-
Properly sort the materials according to your city or hauler’s guidelines
-
Rinse and dry containers, and keep paper and tin foil that's been soiled with food or grease out of the bin
-
All of the above
With practice, these steps will become second nature, and you’ll give your materials the best chance of getting recycled.
-
Contamination can damage expensive machinery
-
Contamination diminishes the quality (and thus the economic value) of recyclables: A key part of the zero-waste economy
-
Contamination can lead to unsafe conditions for recycling workers
-
All of the above
When you take the time to recycle right, you don’t just help the planet — you help communities, individuals, and also the larger economy!
WHEN RECYCLABLES GET TRASHED
Stricter rules on the cleanliness of recyclables imposed by buyers of recyclable materials means contamination is a bigger concern for recycling than ever before. If perfectly good recyclables get landfilled because contaminants like food residue get intermixed with them, then everyone loses. Here’s what contamination is, how it affects recycling, and what you can do to help.
Your hauler or city should be able to tell you what is recyclable in your area, otherwise: when in doubt, throw it out.