Single-stream recycling is most efficient for the collection of recyclables, but creates a very inefficient recycling system overall.

Single stream recycling was introduced to make recycling an easy and convenient process. It relieves the average person from the burden of determining what class of recyclable their waste belonged to.

Unfortunately, since the widespread adoption of single stream recycling, contamination rates in the stream have risen dramatically. Today, 25% of the stuff we recycle is too contaminated to be processed by our recycling facilities. What counts as contamination? Individual items can be contaminated—like peanut butter jars with peanut butter still in them, or cardboard that’s gotten wet or greasy. Even worse, entire bins may be deemed contaminated if they contain items that can’t be recycled!

Our system of recycling works because there is a market for buying used plastics and metals to be turned into new products. But contaminated plastics make recycling less valuable—both as individual bales of plastic and a system as a whole.

To be clear: we should definitely continue to recycle when appropriate. Just because we don’t have a perfect recycling system yet doesn’t mean we should give up on it altogether.

However, there are actions that we should be taking to mitigate the issue. A great first step is to make sure your recycling bin contains only high quality recycling material, such as clean, clear plastics or aluminum cans. If in doubt, check out your local recycling center’s guidelines of recycling practices that work best for them. For example, did you know that some facilities do accept plastic bottles, but don’t accept bottle caps, because they’re made from different plastics?

Most importantly, we should all try to create less waste—recyclable or otherwise—in the first place!