Consumers are more environmentally conscious than ever, and we often make purchasing decisions based on a product’s packaging. We choose items that look like they are made from paper or other “eco-friendly” materials, assuming we can simply toss them in the recycling bin. However, many of these products are a form of “greenwashing.” Their packaging is actually made from a complex mix of materials that cannot be processed by most municipal recycling systems. This leads to a frustrating phenomenon known as “wish-cycling,” where we hopefully put something in the bin that is destined for the landfill.
1. Disposable Coffee Cups
That paper coffee cup from your favorite cafe feels like it should be recyclable, but in most cases, it is not. To keep the cup from getting soggy, the inside is coated with a thin layer of polyethylene plastic. This mixed-material construction makes it impossible for most standard paper recycling facilities to process. The plastic lid is often recyclable, but the cup itself is trash.
2. Black Plastic Food Trays
Many frozen meals, takeout containers, and produce packages use black plastic because it makes the food look more appealing. Unfortunately, the color itself is the problem for recycling systems. The optical scanners used at most recycling facilities cannot “see” the black plastic on a black conveyor belt. As a result, the sorting machines are unable to separate it, and the entire tray gets sent to the landfill.
3. Squeeze Pouches
The convenient, resealable squeeze pouches used for things like applesauce, yogurt, and baby food are a recycling nightmare. They are made from multiple thin layers of different types of plastic and sometimes aluminum foil, all bonded together. There is no practical way for a recycling facility to separate these fused layers, so the entire pouch must be thrown away.
4. “Compostable” Plastic Utensils and Containers
Many eco-conscious brands now use “compostable” bioplastics, often made from cornstarch (PLA), for their disposable utensils and containers. While this sounds great, these materials can only break down in a high-heat, industrial composting facility. They will not break down in a backyard compost pile, and they are a major contaminant in a standard recycling bin, meaning they almost always end up in the landfill.
5. Greasy Pizza Boxes
Cardboard is one of the most easily recyclable materials, but that all changes the moment it gets contaminated with food waste. The grease from a pizza soaks into the cardboard fibers, and it cannot be separated out during the pulping process. A greasy pizza box can ruin an entire batch of recycled paper, which is why most recycling programs will only accept the clean, non-greasy top part of the box.
6. Padded Shipping Envelopes
The padded envelopes used by Amazon and other online retailers are another example of a problematic mixed material. The paper exterior is bonded to an interior lining of plastic bubble wrap. Because the two materials are fused, the envelope cannot be recycled with paper or with plastic. Unless you painstakingly separate the two layers, the entire envelope has to go in the trash.
7. Aseptic Cartons (like for Soup or Soy Milk)
The shelf-stable cartons used for soup, broth, and plant-based milks seem like they should be recyclable paper. However, they are complex, seven-layer containers made of paper, plastic, and aluminum. While some specialized facilities can recycle them, many municipal programs in the U.S. do not have the technology to do so, forcing you to throw them in the trash.
8. Mesh Produce Bags
The mesh bags that hold onions, avocados, or oranges are a major problem for recycling facilities. They are a type of plastic film that can get tangled in the sorting machinery, causing the entire system to jam. For this reason, you should never put these mesh bags, or any other type of plastic bag, in your curbside recycling bin.
The Reality of Recycling
The world of recycling is far more complicated than most of us realize. The sad truth is that many products with an “eco-friendly” appearance are not designed for the reality of our current recycling infrastructure. The best way to be truly sustainable is to focus on the first two “R’s”—Reduce and Reuse. By avoiding single-use, disposable packaging altogether, we can make a much bigger impact than just hoping a product is recyclable.
Which of these non-recyclable items surprised you the most? What are your best tips for reducing packaging waste in your household? Let us know!
Read More
Why Many People Are No Longer Recycling (And You Might Want To Stop)
5 Grocery Items That Are Quietly Recycled From Customer Returns—Including Open Packages
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