We’ve been recycling wrong. But, no worries. An expert answers topic questions about how to recycle and reduce waste.
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Recycling is one way that we can all live a little more sustainably. Yet, what is supposed to be easy- separating items into a bin – feels more complicated once put into practice. Is a paper napkin recyclable? How clean should my containers be? Is my shampoo bottle recyclable? A big part of that complication has to do with the chasing arrows symbol. There’s a big misconception about what those symbols mean and how they relate to whether or not an item is recyclable. One is that they relate to whether or not an item is recyclable. Spoiler alert, they don’t.
To help decode the myths, Jeremy Walters, the sustainability ambassador for Republic Services, a trash pickup and recycling company, tells us what those symbols really mean and offers tips for recycling better. “According to a recent survey we conducted, 73% of Americans consider themselves an expert or good at recycling, yet 61% incorrectly believe flexible plastics, like plastic bags can go in curbside bins,” Jeremy explains. And, considering that the current recycling rate in the U.S is 32%, we all have a lot of room for improvement when it comes to recycling.
What resources can we use to learn how to recycle properly?
Check with your local service provider to learn when and how often recycling is picked up curbside. In addition, Republic Services’ website has a wealth of resources outlining the dos and don’ts of recycling.
What are most people doing wrong when it comes to recycling?
The biggest mistake people make when it comes to recycling is not doing it. There is a myth that plastic doesn’t actually get recycled but that is incorrect. Rigid plastic containers such as bottles, jugs, and tubs are highly recyclable. The only reason these plastic items aren’t getting recycled is because they’re not being put in your curbside recycling bin.
Second, there is often confusion about knowing what can and cannot be recycled. Many people will toss items in their recycling bin, hoping they can be recycled. This is referred to as “aspirational recycling” or “wish-cycling.” Unfortunately, this type of mindset can be detrimental because many of the items that end up in recycling bins contaminate perfectly good recyclables and can damage the equipment in recycling facilities.
Today in the U.S., only 29.1% of single-use plastic bottles and jugs are recycled. Rigid plastic containers including water bottles, milk jugs, detergent jugs, and yogurt cups are all widely accepted for recycling.
It is important to remember that not all plastics are created equal. Flexible plastics should never be placed in the recycling bin. Swapping plastic grocery and produce bags for reusable bags is a simple way to cut down on plastic waste. When it comes to recycling plastics you should only recycle plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs.
What do we need to do right?
There are four easy tips to remember to help you improve your recycling habits.
- Know what to throw. Several materials are excellent candidates for recycling because of their ability to be remade into new products. Focus on cardboard, paper, aluminum cans, and plastic bottles and jugs to make the most impact.
- Empty, clean, and dry. These are the three magic words of recycling. Every item in your recycling bin should be free of residual food and liquid – for example, a ketchup bottle. When items like that ketchup bottle still contain residue, they can contaminate other more fragile recyclables like paper or cardboard, and those contaminated materials could end up in the landfill. Give your recyclable containers a quick rinse, then tap out the excess water, leaving no more than a teaspoon. And don’t forget to put the cap or lid back on those bottles!
- When in doubt, throw it out. There will be times when you aren’t sure if something should be recycled or not. It’s best to toss the item in the waste bin when that happens. For example, a pizza box is made of cardboard, but if grease and cheese are stuck to the box, it can’t be recycled. In addition, flexible plastic like Ziplock bags are not recyclable. If you want to take your recycling knowledge one step further, check with your local service provider for recycling dos and don’ts – when in doubt, find out!
- Don’t bag it. While it might seem to make sense to place recyclables in a plastic bag, it’s a big no-no. Materials must stay loose so they can easily be sorted and separated at the recycling center. Plastic bags wrap and tangle around the sorting equipment causing jams and inefficiencies. Instead of collecting your recyclables in a bag, try collecting them in a basket that you can empty into your curbside cart.
How can governments or local municipalities help citizens recycle properly?
To help citizens recycle properly, education is a must. Municipalities should work with their recycling provider to coordinate educational initiatives. Republic Services has several resources that we offer our municipal partners to make recycling education effortless and impactful.
The EPA labels the plastic recycling symbols as misleading. Do you agree?
The symbol, when talking about plastics specifically, is misleading. What many confuse as the recycling symbol on plastic packaging is actually called a resin identification code. This symbol and the number inside it are used to help identify the type of plastic an item is made from, not identify its recyclability. The resin identification code was developed in the late 1980s to ensure a level of consistency in plastics manufacturing. Unfortunately, this symbol has created significant confusion for the everyday consumer as it closely mirrors the real chasing arrows recycling symbol.
What’s the best way to interpret the chasing arrow symbols if you want to recycle properly?
With better labeling, consumers can recycle with more confidence. Until then, it is best to focus on the characteristics of plastics, rather than memorize a list of numbers. For example, rigid plastic containers, such as water bottles, milk jugs and shampoo bottles, are highly recyclable. These materials are also in demand as more consumer package goods companies implement stronger commitments to using recycled content in their packaging.
Unfortunately, today, due to a lack of infrastructure, most plastic water bottles are not recycled into new plastic water bottles again. In many cases, they are downcycled into synthetic fibers for use in things like carpeting or clothing.
Many states are beginning to lay the framework for Truth in Labeling laws that will prohibit the use of chasing-arrows symbols and the term “recyclable” on products that are indeed not recyclable. This has gained such significant traction that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is now calling on the Federal Trade Commission to remove the symbol from plastics that can’t be recycled altogether. The FTC has what they call Green Guides, and the EPA, as well as other environmental groups, believe these guides could be used to help educate consumers on recycling best practices.
How do you reduce single-use plastic waste in your everyday life?
There’s no denying that recycling is a great thing. But it’s also important to find ways to reduce the single-use plastic waste we’re creating in the first place. Small changes can make a big difference over time reducing our individual footprint on the environment.
Here are a few easy changes you can make to reduce the amount of waste in your home:
- Pass on plastic bags! Bring reusable tote bags when shopping for groceries or other items.
- Skip the disposable utensils. Whether packing a lunch or ordering takeout, forgo the disposable cutlery as it is not recyclable.
- Use a portable reusable water bottle such as stainless steel instead of purchasing plastic water bottles. There may be times when you don’t have your reusable water bottle, and that is okay! Just make sure you recycle your bottles!
- Pack your lunch for work in reusable food containers made from glass, stainless steel, etc. instead of disposable bags or containers.
- Start meal planning to reduce waste from single-use takeout containers.