One of the most frequent questions/complaints that we hear about recycling is “IT IS SO CONFUSING!!! I don’t even know if I’m doing it right?!”.  And, the honest truth is that it is confusing. And nuanced. 

Many people are unsure about which items can be recycled via single-stream (in the blue bins), which need to be recycled separately, and which items are not recyclable at all. Rather than continuing to guess or “wishcycle,” it is critical that we learn how to “recycle right.” Why? If we don’t “keep the stream clean” ALL of our recycling (even the good stuff) ends up in the trash.

What is single-stream recycling?

Single-stream recycling (or “mixed” recycling) is a system in which recyclable materials such as cardboard, paper, plastic, metal, and glass containers are collected together for processing.

Although we have been recycling for decades, many people are unaware of what happens to these materials after they are picked up in our blue bins or dropped off at the Transfer Station.

Once your recycled goods make it to the Westport Transfer Station (either by a hauler or by being dropped off), the mixed single-stream recycling is transported directly to the Oak Ridge Materials Recovery Facility (MuRF) in Shelton, CT by Enviro Express (no sorting takes place at the Westport Transfer Station). From there, Oak Ridge sorts the recycling by material into various “streams” like paper, corrugated cardboard, aluminum, metal, glass, and plastic. There are multiple types of plastic recycling streams, which are identified by the numbers 1-7 (resin codes) imprinted on the bottom of the material.

Once separated, the materials are then processed to market conditions and baled in preparation to be sold on the market. The value of each commodity varies based on the current market rate. Once sold, the materials are then shipped to manufacturers that utilize the recovered materials to produce new products. 

Why is recycling so confusing?

Recycling can be confusing and nuanced. Many people are unsure which items can be recycled via a single stream, which items need to be recycled separately, and which items are not recyclable at all. 

Due to a lack of federal oversight, recycling is not centrally regulated or mandated. As a result, recycling varies not only from state to state but even from municipality to municipality! Even the recycling symbol itself is unregulated, which allows manufacturers the ability to widely and intentionally misrepresent their products (called greenwashing) as recyclable, when in fact, they are not. 

The lack of standard recycling procedures and regulations across the country (or even state) paired with misinformation and greenwashing, makes “recycling right” a challenge. The result? Many items that cannot be recycled end up at our single-stream recycling centers, contaminating the items that CAN be recycled, lowering the value of our good recycling, and causing loads of recycling to end up being diverted to the trash.

“Recycling right” is a critical first step that is often misunderstood. If we don’t “keep the stream clean” ALL of our recycling (even the good stuff) ends up in the trash.

What is contaminating our recycling?

Oak Ridge, our local Materials Recycling Facility (MuRF), identifies two types of contamination in Westport’s single-stream recycling:

Residual waste is generated in each commodity (ex. plastic, glass, cardboard) stream and is somewhat expected. Examples include ripped pieces of paper or cardboard, shards of glass that can’t easily be separated, and bottle caps that get entwined in paper waste. 

Unacceptable material are items that are not processed at the MuRF. These items cannot be recycled and contaminate the good recyclables. The majority of unacceptable material ends up at the MuRF with the best intentions. People are unaware or unsure if an item is accepted, so they throw it in the blue bin hoping that the item will be recycled. This wishful thinking, called “wishcycling” is a significant problem.

In addition to actual bags of trash that accidentally make their way to the MuRF, the most common single-stream recycling contaminants / “wishcycled” items are:

• Plastic bags and plastic film/wrap
• Garden hoses and electric cords
• Shredded Paper
• Household Items: coffee maker, laundry baskets
• Children’s plastic toys

What happens when single-stream recycling is contaminated?

Many people, particularly those that “wishcycle” believe that attendants at the MuRF will sort through their recycling and pull out anything that cannot be recycled. This is not the case. In Westport, if more than 10% of a recycling pile is deemed unacceptable material, the ENTIRE pile is diverted to the incinerator, including all the material that CAN be recycled! Currently, Oak Ridge estimates our contamination rate is between 35-39%! According to Westport’s contract with Oak Ridge, exceeding 10% of unacceptable material leads to a 15% increase in fees for the town. To date, Oak Ridge has absorbed this cost but warns that if improvements are not made imminently they will begin applying this fee, which will ultimately result in an increase in taxes.

What other items can be recycled at the Transfer Station?

In addition to collecting our single-stream recycling, the Westport Transfer station also accepts several specialty items. These items must be sorted and dropped off in the appropriate receptacles at the Transfer Station.

• Paint
• E-Waste: Electronics, including televisions, DVD players, and cell phones
• Textiles: Worn-out sneakers, beyond-repair clothing and other textiles
• Cardboard (must be clean and broken down)
• Batteries
• Light Bulbs
• Scrap Metal
• Motor Oil and Antifreeze
• Food Scraps
• Glass

How can you ensure you “Recycle Right”?

As a town, we need to do better by intentionally educating ourselves on proper recycling and not wishcycling. Here are some resources to help you get started:

• Download the What’s In and What’s Out Westport Recycling Guide to understand the “What’s In and What’s Out” of the blue bins. This printable reference guide comes in handy for items that go in your blue bin.
• Visit our website for a list of items that can be recycled separately at the transfer station or elsewhere.
• Visit the RecycleCT Recycling Wizard online or download their app to easily search for items with instructions on how to discard common materials.
• Follow @sustainablewestport on Instagram or Facebook for informative (and entertaining) posts to help you properly dispose of your waste/recycling.
• And, when all else fails abide by the adage: When in Doubt, Leave it Out.

Have a recycling question or suggestion for an upcoming newsletter or social post? You can always email Sustainable Westport at admin@sustainablewestport.org or drop us a DM on social media.