Earlier this month, Natasha and Barbara from our CSR team, put together a helpful guide for our colleagues on improving recycling figures.
While the information was incredibly beneficial to our colleagues, it’s something we wanted to share with the rest of our audience as helping the planet thrive should be a common goal for all of us.
The following tips are designed to show common mistakes to avoid, including but not limited to cross-contamination and wishcycling, and explanations of how those mistakes hinder sustainability goals. If we all make a conscious choice to put our recycling in the correct bins, we can reduce our environmental footprint, maximise our recycling and help play a part in building a more sustainable future.
1.
Throw your waste in the correct bin. When a recyclable item is contaminated with something that isn't recyclable, it often means it can't be recycled. This means that if everybody recycles correctly but 1 single person puts a non-recyclable container in the recycling bin, the entire content of the bin will end up in general waste and won’t be recycled.
2.
Be aware of what is considered recyclable. The term ‘wishcycling’ refers to putting something in the recycling, such as plastic shopping bags, without checking if the item is actually recyclable. Although wishcycling usually starts with good intentions, 59% of people believe that most items can be recycled* (which is simply not true). This likely means over half of people engage in wishcycling regularly.
3.
Clean your recycling before disposal. Although recycling does not have to be spotless before being disposed of, it is important to scrape out any excess food waste and give the container a rinse if you can. Always remember that if you throw recycling that is very dirty in the bin, it will contaminate the rest of the recycling and may make all of the contents end up in general waste. You can leave labels and lids on.
While recycling can turn waste into new products or energy, reducing the amount of waste we create in the first place is even better. When you’re shopping try to remember to take your own bags, buy refills instead of new products and avoid excess packaging and single-use items.
And remember – don’t assume, always check if an item is recyclable or not!
*
Source:
https://sagehillbottledepot.ca/what-is-wishcycling-and-how-do-you-avoid-it/
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