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Recycling Is in Trouble — and It Might Be Your Fault

  • April 24, 2017

You may think you’re doing the Earth a favor by dutifully recycling everything you can, but no matter how well-intended you are, according to USA Today, chances are you’re doing it wrong. Recycling involves carefully separating what can be recycled from what can’t — but unfortunately, most people don’t understand what doesn’t recycle, and therefore the whole process is either wasted or, at the least, adding enormous cost to the program.

Sadly, many people make surprising recycling mistakes every day. One reason may be because the bins you set on the street don’t give instructions on what to recycle, and how, to recycle. For example, scrap metal, foil chip bags, greasy pizza boxes, wire hangers and paper cups with shiny coatings (like coffee cups) cannot be recycled at the curb.

Plastic bags can be recycled, but typically only through special collection bins at grocery stores. And, grease, liquids (even water) and food are considered contaminants. If they make it down the sorting line without being tossed out, they can contaminate an entire load of recyclables, causing it to be thrown out.

Besides learning how to properly sort your recyclables, you can help the Earth by reducing your food waste. Food waste, which is the second largest component of waste sent to U.S. landfills, can be handled through composting or by not creating the waste in the first place.

Start with a list and buy only what you can consume right away. Also consider purchasing less-than-beautiful fresh fruits and vegetables, so your local farmer or store doesn’t have to throw it away. And, learn how to properly organize your refrigerator to avoid food spoilage.