In 2022, the OECD performed a study on global plastic recycling rates. The findings showed that only 9% of plastics are recycled worldwide. To put that in perspective, nearly 350 million tons of plastic are created each year. That means 318,500,000 tons end up in landfills, are incinerated, or are left entirely uncollected. These numbers aren’t even including paper (global recycling rate: 60%), glass (global recycling rate: 21%), e-waste (global recycling rate: 22.3%), and other discarded materials.  

There are several reasons why recycling numbers are so low; for example, many regions aren’t equipped with proper recycling facilities and programs. But one major thing that bars materials from being properly recycled—in any recycling facility around the world—is contamination. And the key to reducing contamination is education.  

What is Contamination?

Contamination refers to the materials that cannot be processed for recycling due to being in contact with non-recyclable materials. This can be non-recyclable plastics, such as Saran Wrap or plastic bags, broken glass, food, or any other non-recyclable material.  

Contaminated recycling is rejected at the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) and is typically sent to the landfill. As MRFs do not have the resources to separate every recyclable item from every non-recyclable item, sometimes entire loads are discarded when there is too much contamination.    

Contamination Solutions

1. Every location has different recycling rules. Recycle Coach helps your residents and customers understand what’s recyclable and what’s not. Our What Goes Where tool allows users to search our database of over 400 items, with a repository of 15,000 search terms. We allow users to easily learn how to recycle right in their community.  

2. Help avoid “wish-cycling.” Many people mean well when it comes to recycling and put anything they hope will be recycled into the recycling bin. This is detrimental to recycling efforts, as it leads to contamination. Recycle Coach allows users to understand which items are not recyclable, as well as what can be done with them, such as composting, donation, hazardous waste drop-off, and general waste.  

3. Use clear labelling in your workplace. To help your own employees recycle more effectively, place your waste bins in easy-to-access, high-traffic areas. Apply labels above the bins to more clearly demonstrate what is accepted and what’s not.  

Using Recycle Coach allows users to learn about proper waste disposal. We make real differences in the communities and organizations we partner with, making for greener, more waste-informed residents and customers. Check out our Success Stories for real life examples of how we can help communities like yours.