12 Recycling Myths That Need to Be Addressed
Many people try to recycle, but they often follow bad advice. Wrong information leads to contamination, higher waste costs, and more trash in landfills. This guide clears up 12 common recycling myths so you can recycle the right way and help your community stay clean.
Myth 1: “Everything with the recycling symbol is recyclable.”
The symbol does not guarantee recyclability. It only shows the type of plastic. Many plastics still end up in the trash. Always follow your town’s recycling rules.
Myth 2: “You can recycle anything if you put it in the bin.”
Recycling centers reject many items. Wrong items slow down machines and contaminate good material. When in doubt, check your local guidelines.
Myth 3: “Plastic bags belong in the recycling bin.”
Plastic bags tangle in recycling equipment. They shut down sorting machines and create extra work. Bring them to a store drop-off instead.
Myth 4: “Food on containers doesn’t matter.”
Food residue ruins clean recyclables. A quick rinse makes items easier to process and keeps entire loads from being thrown away.
Myth 5: “Glass is always recyclable.”
Some towns no longer accept glass. It breaks during transport and damages sorting equipment. Check your town’s rules before putting glass in the bin.
Myth 6: “All paper products are fine to recycle.”
Wet, greasy, or dirty paper does not recycle well. Pizza boxes, napkins, and paper towels often belong in the trash or compost pile.
Myth 7: “Recycling uses more energy than it saves.”
Recycling actually saves energy. Turning recycled aluminum into new products uses far less energy than creating aluminum from raw material.
Myth 8: “Recycling ends up in the landfill anyway.”
Many people believe this, but it isn’t true. Clean, properly sorted material goes to real recycling markets. Only contaminated loads get discarded.
Myth 9: “You must remove every label.”
Most facilities remove labels during processing. A quick rinse is enough. No need to peel off every sticker.
Myth 10: “Styrofoam always goes in recycling.”
Foam products rarely get recycled at curbside. They break apart and clog machines. It’s better to throw them away or bring them to a special drop-off, if available.
Myth 11: “You can recycle broken electronics with household recyclables.”
Electronics need special disposal. Batteries and wires can spark fires at recycling plants. Bring electronics to a certified e-waste drop-off center.
Myth 12: “Recycling is the same everywhere.”
Every town has different equipment, rules, and markets. Always follow your local program. This keeps recycling clean and efficient.
Why These Recycling Myths Matter
Bad information causes contamination. Contamination raises costs and wastes good material. When people follow the correct rules, recycling works better for everyone. Clean recycling helps towns reduce trash, save space in landfills, and cut disposal costs.
How You Can Improve Recycling at Home
You can make a big impact with small habits:
- Rinse containers
- Keep plastic bags out of bins
- Flatten cardboard
- Separate glass if your town requires it
- Use drop-off sites for batteries and electronics
- Learn your local recycling rules
These steps keep recycling clean and help the entire system run smoothly.
Need Help With Waste and Recycling?
Zoom Disposal supports clean recycling and proper waste handling across MetroWest Boston. We offer dumpsters for home cleanouts, renovations, yard work, and more. Our team can help you sort materials and choose the best option for your project.
Explore dumpster sizes here
See service areas here
Contact us
