Common Mistakes in Dry Mixed Recycling and How to Avoid Them

Whether you’re aware of the consequences or not, we’ve all faced the dilemma of dry mixed recycling. Unsure whether our sandwich packaging is recyclable, we toss it into the bin, hoping for the best. But this well-intentioned act that we refer to as “wish-cycling,” can cause significant problems.

At Recorra, we’ve seen how this practice leads to recycling contamination, which occurs when items are placed in the wrong waste stream or aren’t in an acceptable condition for recycling. The result? Entire batches of dry mixed recycling can become unusable, reversing our collective efforts to do the right thing and reduce waste.

With that said, let’s explore common dry mixed recycling mistakes and how to avoid them.

1. Being misled by or not understanding recycling symbols

Sometimes, it is as simple as thinking an item can be placed in mixed recycling when in reality it can’t. This commonly occurs with meal deal packaging and coffee cups, which seem like they can be put in the mixed recycling bin and even have the familiar recycling symbols with the three chasing arrows on.

However, unfortunately, these ‘recycling symbols’, which are used to show the resin identification code (RIC), don’t guarantee recyclability and often mislead consumers. Even though they are simply intended to show a product’s individual plastic resin type, people generally identify them as a universal recycling symbol.

So, before throwing anything into the recycling bin, it’s important to find out what waste can go into the specific bins you are using.

As a reference guide, use the following:

• RIC Number 1 (PET): Typically recyclable
• RIC Number 2 (HDPE): Usually recyclable
• RIC Number 5 (PP): Generally acceptable in mixed recycling
• RIC Numbers 3, 4, 6, 7: Often problematic and may require specialised recycling

2. Placing flexible plastics into dry mixed recycling bins

Another frequent source of recycling contamination stems from confusion around different types of plastics. Soft plastics such as crisp packets and snack wrappers are often mistakenly placed in mixed recycling bins.

However, these flexible plastics can get stuck in the machinery at our Materials Recovery Facility. This leads to costly repairs and lower productivity as the whole recycling process has to be put on pause.

So, where should your flexible plastics go? Luckily, through Recorra’s Circular Boxes, soft plastics can be collected separately and taken to our third party re-processor, My ReFactory. Here, your flexible plastics are turned into Storm Board, a sustainable alternative to plywood for the construction industry (and also makes super funky furniture).

3. Recycling with food and drink contaminants

Placing items contaminated with food or drink into your dry mixed recycling should be avoided. Even a small amount of residue can significantly compromise the quality of materials that could otherwise be recycled effectively.

For example, a plastic container covered in oil or grease can degrade the quality of any paper and cardboard that it touches. This is because it weakens the long fibres essential for reprocessing paper into new products.

Did you know that recycling one ton of paper saves enough energy to power an average home for six months? By taking a moment to clean off any contaminants, you can help preserve the recycling potential of the materials in your dry mixed recycling bin.

Dry mixed recycling services from the experts at Recorra

At Recorra, our dry mixed recycling service is designed to simplify the recycling process for all businesses across London and the South-East. We offer a variety of collection options, including wheeled bins, compactors, and kerbside sacks, tailored to meet your specific needs.

Explore our dry mixed recycling service today and join thousands of UK organisations that trust us to handle their waste management. Got any questions? Contact our expert team who are standing by to help. Join the recycling revolution through Recorra, the waste management company you can trust.