7 Things That Contaminate Your Recycling Bins

Recycling is something that everyone should do, as we all know, but many of us don’t because the sorting of all that waste can be time-consuming as you try to figure out what is supposed to go where. Even those of us who do make the effort can sometimes still get confused. Too often, things end up getting tossed into bins that they weren’t made for. When such contamination occurs, often the whole load of recyclables is jeopardized.

To keep it simple, here are 7 things that contaminate your recycling bins:

1. Filled plastic bags – While most supermarkets have bins specifically for plastic bags, they are for clean, empty bags that don’t have to be opened and have the contents inspected. Because of this, most general recycling companies don’t want to burn the time opening them and sorting the contents.
2. Hazardous waste – This one is obvious. Your company should already have a safe place to dispose of hazardous waste. Still, some people don’t realize that trace elements of hazardous waste can be left behind in a container. Don’t take chances. This includes bio-hazardous waste such as the innocent-looking used bandage or anything else that has come into contact with bodily fluids.
3. Plastic lids – All plastics are not created equal, and often cup lids find their way into your recycle bins, often along with wax-coated drink cups or Styrofoam. Make it clear that these items do not belong in your bins.
4. Flattened containers – You might think you’re helping by crushing a soda or juice container before putting it in the bin, but the fact is that most recycling machines use visuals to determine paper (flat) from cans and cartons (round, rectangular).
5. Capped glass containers – When sorting glass from plastic and paper, an attached lid contaminates the glass selection. Remove the lids so that metal isn’t going in with the glass.
6. Frozen food containers – While they may look and feel like normal cardboard, these containers often have a waxy coating to protect the food inside from freezer burn. While some recycling systems can sort these easily, check to see if there’s a specific bin for coated cardboards.
7. Liquids – Rinsing drink containers will ensure that your bins remain clean and free of foul odors.

The key to making sorting a success is to clearly label your bins. A bin that just says “plastics” might find itself home to unrecyclable lids and other contaminants. Make it obvious with phrases like “plastic bottles”, “no lids”, “rinsed glass”, etc. Also, to make sure everyone can read your signs, post them in different languages.

Hopefully, these tips will help keep your recycling bins free of contaminants. This will improve your recycling efforts and give your employees a clean environment both to work in and to live in!