Best Practices in Recycling Contamination

THIS TOOLKIT IS PROVIDED BY RECYCLE, MICHIGAN—AN EDUCATION AND OUTREACH INITIATIVE OF THE MICHIGAN RECYCLING COALITION

RESIDENTIAL EDUCATION & OUTREACH TOOLKIT

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NOTE: Best practices don't use the word "contamination" in public messaging. Some alternatives are:

✓ Unacceptable Items

✓ Not Accepted

✓ Prohibited

Overview

Most materials that are accepted for recycling in municipal programs are food and beverage packaging, mixed paper and cardboard boxes, metal, glass, and plastic containers. Messaging should focus on how residents should best prepare those packaging items for recycling. Messaging should, when possible, focus on positive behaviors (what the resident should do rather than what they should not do).

← STUFF

&

THINGS →

All items placed in the recycling bin/cart should be EMPTY and free of stuff.

Using the word "empty" is important bbecause we are talking about most plastic, glass, and metal that once contained food or beverages. Food and beverage residue can attract pests and create odor that makes managing them more difficult. Empty is also important for boxes. That's why we use "flattened cardboard."

Public Messaging

Pro-Tip

Empty plastic & glass containers
Flattened Boxes (both paperboard & cardboard)
Empty Cans (both aluminum & steel)
Recycling shouldn't smell! Rinse items before placing them in the recycling cart/bin
Leftover food attracts bugs and pests in the recycling process. Clean recyclables to ensure they don't create problems.

All items placed in the recycling bin/cart should be ACCEPTED and not things that have been wishcycled.

Clean and empty food, beverage, and soap containers and flattened boxes are simple, best practice messaging. Items like plastic toys with metal and rubber wheels may be reused, repurposed, repaired, etc. but they are not recycled, especially at the curb. Always check with your MRF before promoting any new or updated process or material.

Public Messaging

Pro-Tip

Do not bag recyclables! Keep them loose in your bin/cart.
For safety reasons, bagged recyclables are thrown away at the recycling sorting facility.
Loose plastic bags included in the cart/bin get wrapped around sorting equipment, causing damage and delays.
Know it before you throw it.
Check the list of accepted recyclables for your program.
Recycling items that are not accepted means an extra-long, expensive trip to the landfill.

SAMPLE MESSAGING

TOP 5 RECYCLING TROUBLEMAKERS

Public Messaging

Pro-Tip

STRINGY or STRETCHY: Also known as "tanglers," because these items get caught up in recycling sorting equipment.

Plastic bags/wrap
Rope
Hoses
Wire
Clothing
String lights
Cords
Etc.

Public Messaging

Pro-Tip

SPARKS: Batteries, especially rechargeables, are a leading cause of fires at recycling sorting facilities and in collection vehicles. Batteries spark when compressed or damaged.

Rechargeable, lithium-ion batteries found in many places
- Tools
- Games
- Small appliances
- Electric scooters
- Musical cards
- Ear buds
- Etc.

Public Messaging

Pro-Tip

SHARPS: Many people don't realize that hand sorting is part of the recycling process. Any of these items in the recycling could pose life-threatening risk for these workers. Imagine a knife or a saw blade ricocheting off of machines and hurling toward a worker. Or imagine a worker picking up an item only to be stuck by an unknown needle.