“Wish”-cycling: When good intentions create bad results.
Wishcycling refers to placing an item in the recycling bin because you hope it is recyclable, even if you aren't completely sure. In an attempt to be sustainable, and unknowingly contaminating a batch of recycled material. While the goal is often to help the environment, these items can contaminate recycling streams and reduce the amount of material that can actually be recovered. This is due to strict regulations and instructions when it comes to recycling practices. Someone can often times be well-intentioned and be under the impression that a certain item was recyclable, but a little information can go a long way. Some items that often contaminate batches include:
Receipts (Thermal Paper)
Plastic Grocery Bags
Garden Hoses
Extension Cords
Greasy Pizza Boxes
Food-Soiled Containers
Styrofoam Products
Coffee Cups with Plastic Linings
Batteries
Electronics (e-waste)
Tanglers (ropes, chains, string lights)
Clothing and Textiles
Why It Matters
Contaminated loads may be sent directly to landfills.
Sorting equipment can become damaged or jammed.
Workers may need to manually remove contaminants.
Recycling facilities face increased operating costs.
Valuable recyclable materials can become unusable.
Ways to better prevent wishcycling:
Familiarize yourself with your local recycling plants regulations/requirements, as well as their accept/reject list.
Rinse food residue from containers.
Flatten cardboard boxes before disposal.
Keep plastic bags out of curbside recycling bins.
Dispose of batteries and electronics through specialized programs.
When in doubt, check before you recycle.
Looking Onward
One of the biggest challenges in modern recycling is that many materials still lack practical recycling pathways. NewEarth Initiative believes education is an important first step, but innovation is equally important. NewEarth’s goal is to help communities better understand current recycling systems while supporting solutions that expand what can be responsibly recycled in the future.
A little knowledge goes a long way. Recycling correctly helps keep valuable materials in circulation and out of landfills.