What Happens If You Bag Your Recycling?

It might seem like putting your recyclables in a plastic bag is a cleaner and more convenient way to handle them. Unfortunately, bagging your recycling can actually make it harder for those materials to be properly recycled.

Recycling facilities rely on a combination of automated equipment and manual sorting to separate different types of recyclable materials. When recyclables arrive inside a tied or closed plastic bag, sorting equipment and workers may not be able to easily access what's inside.

As a result, perfectly recyclable materials can end up being difficult to recover.

Keep Recyclables Loose

One of the simplest ways to improve the recycling process is also one of the easiest: keep your recyclables loose.

Instead of placing bottles, cans, cardboard, and other recyclable materials inside a plastic bag, put them directly into the appropriate recycling container.

A few other habits can help, too:

• Empty containers before recycling. Remove leftover food and liquids whenever possible.

• Keep plastic bags out of your recycling bin. Plastic bags generally require different recycling methods than traditional curbside recyclables.

• Follow local recycling guidelines. Recycling rules can vary, so make sure you know what materials your program accepts.

These may seem like small steps, but proper recycling starts with how materials are handled before they ever reach a recycling facility.

Better Recycling Starts With Better Habits

New York City businesses generate significant amounts of recyclable material every day. When those materials are separated and handled properly, more of them have the opportunity to be recovered and put to productive use.

At Cogent Waste Solutions, we help NYC businesses develop effective waste and recycling programs while navigating the unique challenges of operating in New York City.

Have questions about your recycling program? Contact Cogent Waste Solutions today.