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MCC Daily Tribune

Green Tip: Recycle, Don't Wishcycle

Did being eco-friendly make your New Year's resolutions this year? Bring your own shopping bags. Cook from scratch. Bring your own water bottle. Recycle, don't wishcycle!

Wishcycling? What is that? That is when you put something into the recycling bin without checking if it really belongs there. Wishcyclers want to do the right thing, and feel that the more that can be recycled, the better. Unfortunately, wishcyclers do more harm than good by contaminating good recyclables. Remember this rule - when in doubt, throw it out!

According to Susan Robinson from Waste Management, as of 2018, about 25% of materials collected in curbside recycling programs didn't belong. That equates to 500 pounds of every 2000 pounds collected ultimately being discarded as non-recyclable. You can view a two minute video "What is Recycling Contamination?" at https://youtu.be/SW-4Sv11Nno.

In Monroe County - ALWAYS place in your curbside bin:

  • Cardboard - flattened, including CLEAN pizza boxes
  • Clean Paper and Wrapping Paper (not metallic)
  • Plastic bottles, jugs, jars, and tubs - recycle by shape!
  • Cans, bottles, and cartons

NEVER place in your bin:

  • Electronics- use a specialty recycler or take to Ecopark
  • Styrofoam - packing Styrofoam can be brought to Ecopark
  • Plastic bags, film, shipping envelopes - take to retailers or Ecopark
  • Pharmaceutical bottles - take to Ecopark
  • Single Use Plastics (such as cups, plates, utensils) - place in trash
  • Batteries
  • Bows, ribbons, wire, twine, decorations
  • Cooking oil or food

Remember - When in Doubt, Throw it Out!

Ann Penwarden
Sustainability Steering Committee’s Recycling Committee
01/21/2020