Why you're recycling wrong

Knowing what you can and can’t recycle isn’t easy. But when you put stuff that can’t be recycled into that blue bin, it can turn entire hauls of otherwise recyclable materials into trash.

People try to recycle everything. Waste management workers routinely find bowling balls, batteries, Christmas lights, animal carcasses, even dirty diapers. In 2018, about 25% of items that Americans tried to recycle were actually non-recyclable trash, known as "contamination." The more contamination that enters recycling plants, the more likely a waste management company will simply send the entire haul, including items that could be recycled, to a landfill.

Watch the video above to learn more about why Americans’ recycling habits are trash, and how you can prevent recycling contamination.

[voscra]

How about we start teaching in school what is recyclable and what isn't?

[Faustobellissimo]

I find it so stupid that packaging companies aren't obliged by law to write the recycling destination on every packaging item.

[thesofakillers]

or just dont buy a tea every morning and use a thermos

[aaronjenkin]

Recycling isn't the solution. Please opt for reusable or low packaging items as much as possible.

[AlexandreMutti]

It bugs me how educational content about recycling is scarce. It should be in schools, on TV, everywhere.

[shoo-sho-sha]

The burden of recycling should also be on the company that sold you the item as well.

[ChuckN]

Didn't talk enough about what is actually recyclable 🙄

[aaronjenkin]

Use reusable items as much as possible. Thank you.

[Freakyjohnsson]

America seem to have the wierdest way of recycling.

[thesiiiiickest]

I liked the video... but youre not gonna use this opportunity to show people HOW to recycle correctly??

[TeamTwiistz]

It would’ve been helpful to include a list of everyday items that can be recycled.

[LiL_Miss_Fiasco]

American recycling system is literally trash. When I lived in Japan it was stricter, but also way more clear what can be recycled.

[jaridkeen]

It's sad bc this is easily fixable, just put the symbol on anything that we can recycle

[_immi]

my opinion is that the responsibility of recycling should move more towards the companies producing the waste. Instead of having to put more effort and money into getting rid of the waste, the companies would hopefully start producing more easily recyclable products. It would shift the blame? responsibility??(idk english is hard) from customers to the manufacturers.

[Sarahlenea]

maybe the solution is to produce much less waste? Why on earth buy a single use coffee cup??

[imacg]

Pre-sort is definitely better than single-stream recycle. Human beings need clear and specific instructions when doing chores.
It's not a piece of art, just tell me exactly what I need to do so I can follow orders. I want to save my energy for things more interesting.

[blackkissi]

Wait, Americans throw glass metal and plastic in the same bin? I'd say 95% of European countries sort these in different bins.

[adam-t]

It would be helpful if we standardized recycling rules.
Some manufacturers will improperly label things which MAY be recyclable as if they definitely are recyclable. It isn't always accurate.
We might also consider identifying and levying fines on offenders. People will regularly throw things into recycling when they clearly don't belong there. Soiled diapers are a common offense. Seriously people, are you trying to destroy the planet?!

[lindsaynerad]

Remember to bring your reusable mug to the coffee shop. Then there's no recycling confusion. 😄

[santrojas]

It would have great if the video explained why actually a lot of things that seem recyclable, actually aren't.