What a load of rubbish! Lifting the lid on the recycling industries biggest myths
Recycling is important. Its benefits are wide-ranging, from cutting down energy use to reducing microplastics in the environment (Brown et al, 2023). Unfortunately, there are many myths and misunderstandings that make people doubt if it’s really worth it. This article breaks down the most common recycling myths in the UK and explains the truth about where your recyclables go and why your efforts make a big difference.
“All recycling just goes to the landfill anyway.”
Recycling does not simply end up in landfill. Speaking from the perspective of a recycling company in the business for over 15 years, everyone benefits when materials are recycled. With high landfill charges, it wouldn’t be cost effective. But most people in the industry don’t have such an avaricious approach to their work. Most dedicate their careers to the industry because they recognise the huge potential to reduce landfill space, deforestation, CO2 emissions and pollution (James, 2012).
We have seen this myth justified by the observation that some local councils use the same trucks to collect household and recycling waste. Local councils should not mix recycling and general waste (GOV.UK, 2023). While the same trucks may be used for both, collections occur on different weeks, and vehicles are thoroughly cleaned between uses. Unfortunately, some recycling companies have been known to mix general and recyclable waste. If you see this occurring, report it immediately and switch recycling services.
“There’s no point in cleaning and separating your recyclables”
Recyclables are processed separately using different methods. Failure to separate and clean items can result in contamination and entire batches being sent to landfill. To avoid this, ensure recyclables are clean, properly sorted, and refrain from ‘wish-cycling‘—putting non-recyclables in recycling bins in the hope they can be recycled.
“There’s no point in cleaning your material”
Keeping recycling clean is just as important as separating them. Dirty food containers, such as oily pizza boxes, can compromise the entire load (Business Waste, 2024). For household waste, clean items thoroughly; if cleaning isn’t possible, dispose of them as general waste.
For businesses earning rebates for their waste, we always recommend keeping your material clean and dry. Storing waste inside or under a tarpaulin can increase its value, potentially earning you around £20 per tonne more compared to waste stored outside.
“The recycling symbol always means i can recycle it”
The recycling symbol is public domain, meaning it can be used or modified by almost anyone. There are rules about how the symbol can be used, but the symbol doesn’t always mean the item is fully recyclable or that your local authority will accept it. Sometimes, only part of the item is recyclable, or it might only be recyclable under certain conditions.
There are also symbols that look like the recycling symbol but mean different things. For instance, the recycling ‘swoosh’ means the packaging is collected by 75% or more local councils in the UK. Another example is the numbered codes that resemble the recycling logo; these identify the type of plastic, and not all of them are recyclable. We recommend this helpful guide by Recycle Now if you ever feel confused by a recycling symbol.
“Recycling are big investments for businesses”
Landfill charges and taxes are costly, making recycling a more economical option for businesses. Many businesses don’t realise that they can sell their baled waste to recycling companies for a profit. If your business has over 5 tonnes of baled waste, contact SO Recycle. We can tell you the value of your waste and offer competitive rebates. Not only will you save on disposal costs, but you can also earn from your recyclables while supporting a greener future.
“Recycling doesn’t help the climate”
Recycling is a vital part of addressing climate change. For instance, producing 1 tonne of paper from recycled materials uses significantly fewer resources—saving enough water for 337 showers and enough energy to power a home for 6 months (US EPA, 2024). It also reduces pollution by keeping waste out of landfills and waterways, where it can take centuries to decompose. While recycling alone won’t solve the climate crisis, it plays an important role that should not be overlooked.
The truth about recycling.
It may not seem like it, but small actions can make a big difference. By separating and cleaning recyclables, checking recycling symbols, and staying informed, we can all play a part in reducing waste and supporting the environment. The myths surrounding recycling can be discouraging, but the reality is that proper recycling saves resources, reduces landfill, and helps combat climate change. Your efforts really do count towards a cleaner and more sustainable future.
References:
Brown, E. et al (2023) ‘The potential for a plastic recycling facility to release microplastic pollution and possible filtration remediation effectiveness’, Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances, 10, ISSN 2772-4166, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hazadv.2023.100309.
James, K. (2012) ‘An investigation of the relationship between recycling paper and card and greenhouse gas emissions from land use change’, Conservation and Recycling, 67, pp.44-55, ISSN 0921-3449, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2012.07.003.
GOV.UK. (2023) Government response, Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/consistency-in-household-and-business-recycling-in-england/outcome/government-response
SO Recycle (2024) https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7227237194308988928
Business Waste (2024) Pizza box disposal and recycling. Available at: https://www.businesswaste.co.uk/learn-about/pizza-box-disposal-and-recycling/
Recycle Now (2024). Understanding recycling symbols, Available at: https://www.recyclenow.com/how-to-recycle/recycling-symbols
US EPA (2024). Basic Information Details | Paper Recycling . Available at: https://archive.epa.gov/wastes/conserve/materials/paper/web/html/index-2.html
