How to Recycle Properly: Common Mistakes and Tips for Better Recycling

If you’re putting your plastic bottles and paper into the recycling bin and giving yourself a pat on the back, that’s great – but are you sure you’re doing it right? How to recycle properly is something that a lot of people think they know, but in reality, many of us are making common recycling mistakes that can lead to entire batches of recyclables being sent to landfill. The good news? A few simple adjustments can make a huge difference in improving recycling efficiency. This guide will help you learn how to recycle properly, avoid common pitfalls, and become a true recycling hero.

Why Recycling Correctly Matters

Recycling is a crucial part of reducing waste and conserving natural resources. However, recycling is only effective when it’s done right. Putting the wrong items in the recycling bin can contaminate the entire batch, meaning that what could have been reused ends up in landfill instead. The key to effective recycling is quality over quantity – focusing on putting the right items in the bin, free from contamination, is far better than tossing everything in and hoping for the best. Here’s a look at the common mistakes people make when recycling, and how to avoid them.

Common Mistakes People Make When Recycling

1. Wishful Recycling: Putting the Wrong Things in the Bin

One of the most common mistakes when it comes to recycling is something called wishful recycling. This is when people put items in the recycling bin that they hope can be recycled, but actually can’t. Things like plastic bags, greasy pizza boxes, and certain types of plastic are often placed in recycling bins, but these items can contaminate the load and cause otherwise recyclable materials to be rejected. When in doubt, check with your local recycling guidelines rather than guessing.

2. Not Cleaning Recyclables

If you’re putting that yogurt container in the recycling bin with a dollop of yogurt still inside, you might be doing more harm than good. Food contamination is a big problem in recycling. A dirty item can ruin the entire batch, meaning it ends up in landfill. Take the time to rinse out jars, containers, and bottles before recycling. They don’t need to be spotless – just free of most residue.

3. Including Plastic Bags

Plastic bags are one of the most problematic items for recycling centres. They get tangled in the machinery, causing delays and damage to the equipment. Despite having a recycling symbol on them, plastic bags need to be handled separately. Instead of putting plastic bags in your kerbside recycling, take them to a designated collection point – many supermarkets have bins specifically for recycling plastic bags which are an ideal way to deal with your plastic waste.

4. Recycling Non-Recyclable Plastics

Not all plastics are created equal. Plastics come in many types, and not all of them are recyclable. The numbers in the recycling triangle on plastic items indicate the type of plastic, but it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re accepted by your local recycling programme. Plastics like polystyrene (number 6) and certain types of plastic film are often not recyclable through regular kerbside collections. Always check what’s accepted in your area to make sure you’re recycling properly.

5. Flattening Cans and Bottles

This one might come as a surprise – flattening cans and plastic bottles before recycling is often discouraged. Many sorting facilities use automated systems that identify recyclables based on their shape. Flattening bottles or cans can confuse these systems, leading to improper sorting. Instead, leave them as they are, unless your local council specifically advises otherwise.

6. Putting Shredded Paper in the Bin

Shredded paper might seem like it belongs in the recycling bin, but it can actually be problematic. The small shreds can fall through the sorting machinery, making it difficult to recycle properly. Instead, check to see if your local recycling centre accepts shredded paper separately, or consider composting it at home.

How To Recycle: Tips for Better Recycling

1. Know Your Local Recycling Guidelines

Recycling rules can vary from place to place, so understanding your local guidelines is essential if you want to know how to recycle properly. What’s accepted in one council area might not be accepted in another, and recycling correctly depends on following the local rules. Check your council’s website for an updated list of what you can and can’t recycle.

2. Rinse and Clean Your Recyclables

Make sure any recyclables are as clean as possible before they go into the bin. A quick rinse will do – just enough to remove most food or drink residue. This helps prevent contamination, which could lead to the rejection of recyclable materials at the processing facility.

3. Don’t Bag Your Recyclables

Recycling should be placed loose in your bin. When you put recyclables in plastic bags, it makes it difficult for sorting facilities to process them, and they’re often thrown out without being opened. If you want to collect items together, use a cardboard box that can be recycled along with its contents.

4. Separate Different Materials

Items that contain multiple materials can be tricky to recycle. For example, a cardboard box with plastic tape on it should have the tape removed before the box is recycled. Similarly, plastic tops should be removed from glass bottles. Separating different materials ensures that each part can be recycled properly without causing contamination issues.

5. Recycle E-Waste and Hazardous Materials Separately

Electronics, batteries, and hazardous materials such as light bulbs, paints, and chemicals should never go in your kerbside recycling bin. These items need special handling and should be taken to designated recycling centres. Many areas have specific e-waste collection days or drop-off points where you can dispose of these items safely.

6. Buy Recyclable and Recycled Products

The recycling process is a loop, and it only works if there’s a demand for recycled materials. Support recycling efforts by purchasing products made from recycled content whenever possible, and choose items that are easy to recycle when they’re no longer needed. This helps create a market for recycled goods, which in turn supports the entire recycling infrastructure.

7. Reduce and Reuse Before You Recycle

The best way to cut down on waste is to reduce what you use in the first place. Recycling is great, but reducing consumption and reusing items has a far greater impact on the environment. Buy items with less packaging, choose reusable products over disposables, and get creative with ways to re-purpose items before throwing them out. Reducing and reusing will naturally decrease the amount you need to recycle.

The Impact of Recycling Properly

Learning how to recycle properly may seem like a small step, but the impact can be huge. When we know how to recycle effectively, we reduce the need for raw materials, cut down on energy use, and keep waste out of landfill. Every correctly recycled item makes a difference. By avoiding common mistakes and following these tips, you can help ensure that your recycling efforts aren’t going to waste – and that they’re actually making a positive impact.

Recycling isn’t about doing it perfectly, but it is about doing it thoughtfully. By understanding how to recycle properly, and by sharing these practices with friends and family, we can all play our part in making recycling effective. The better we get at recycling, the better the outcomes for our planet and future generations.