Wish-cycling – tossing items in the recycling bin and hoping they belong – is the single biggest threat to clean recycling streams. Material recovery facilities are designed to sort certain categories with precision; introducing the wrong items contaminates entire loads and sends them straight to landfill.
1. Plastic bags belong at the grocery store
Plastic bags jam sorting machinery. Drop them off at participating grocery stores instead.
2. Rinse before you toss
A quick rinse keeps recyclables clean and prevents contamination.
3. Cardboard with food on it isn’t recyclable
Pizza boxes with grease? Trash them. Clean cardboard? Flatten and recycle.
4. Electronics and batteries are not curbside
Use a certified e-waste drop-off, never a recycling bin.
5. Caps on or off?
Empty the bottle, leave the cap on. Cleaner trip through the MRF.