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According to the latest statistics by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, only 23.6% of municipal solid waste is recycled—even though they estimate that 75% is recyclable. One of the major reasons for this low recycling rate is contamination, either by placing a recyclable in the wrong bin, mixing non-recyclable objects with those that are recyclable, or by including dirty items. Soiled diapers, pesticide cans, or greasy pizza boxes are examples. So, it’s no surprise that of all the things placed in recycling bins, one out of every four items is not even recyclable.
As a result, many recycling centers, facing high costs of repairing sorting machines after contaminants jam them up or losing potential revenue when huge lots of contaminated recyclables must be landfilled, are closing. According to the nonprofit Recycle across America, a major recycler recently closed 25% of its plants. Over one thousand centers have shuttered in California since 2021.
Undoubtedly, confusion about what is recyclable and which things are not is widespread. Making matters worse is the fact that recycling rules are different from place to place.
To help you navigate recycling dos & don’ts more effectively, here are lists of things that are not recyclable even though you might think they are, and things that are recyclable even though you may think they are not. Be prepared for some surprises!
After analyzing many recycling guides from municipalities around the country, here’s what’s not generally recyclable. Check with your local department of solid waste to see if it is or isn’t recyclable in your area before loading your curbside bin.
There may be exceptions to this list so consult your local jurisdiction before throwing it away.
You’re probably familiar with the three arrow-headed lines in green triangular form with a plastic number in the center. Except for plastic #1 and #2, no other type is regularly recycled. Single use water bottles are #1 while gallon milk jugs are #2.
Unfortunately, according to Greenpeace, only 29% of #1 bottles is collected for recycling. After removing the contaminated items, a measly 21% is actually recycled.
The EPA has asked the Federal Trade Commission to revise this symbol, claiming it misleads. It could lead someone to believe an item is eco-friendly, and, consequently, commonly recycled, when it’s really not. This is called greenwashing.
“EPA believes updates to the FTC Green Guides ‘recyclable’ claims can be a tool to reduce consumer confusion that contributes to recycling facilities receiving many plastic materials that they do not accept and cannot recycle, which adds a financial burden to facilities and taxpayers to haul, process and ultimately incinerate or landfill this contamination,” the EPA commented in a letter to the FTC.
For now, remember plastic that may be recyclable—noted by the notorious recycling symbol—is not necessarily recycled.
If your local recycler won’t accept an item, there could be an online recycler for it. The following two online recycling resources may help you find one.
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