If you use curbside recycling but aren’t sure what actually belongs in the bin, you’re not alone. Small curbside recycling mistakes add up: they can cause entire truckloads to be landfilled, raise your local waste fees, and even damage equipment. The good news is that a handful of quick fixes can dramatically improve how effective your curbside recycling is—and help keep money in your pocket over time.
Below are the most common errors, why they’re so costly, and simple ways to fix them today.
Why curbside recycling mistakes are so expensive
Recycling isn’t free. Haulers and material recovery facilities (MRFs) pay for staff, equipment, and transportation. When loads are contaminated by non-recyclable items or dirty containers:
- The whole batch may be rejected and sent to the landfill.
- Sorting equipment slows or breaks, increasing maintenance costs.
- Programs must raise fees or reduce services to make up the difference.
Many communities factor contamination costs into your utility or tax bill. So while you may never see a line item labeled “recycling mistakes,” you’re paying for them.
According to the U.S. EPA, Americans generated about 292 million tons of municipal solid waste in 2018, with roughly 32% recycled or composted (source: EPA). When curbside recycling works properly, more of that material stays out of landfills and programs stay financially viable.
Mistake #1: Wishcycling (“If in doubt, throw it in”)
Wishcycling is putting questionable items into curbside recycling because you hope they’re recyclable. It’s one of the biggest drivers of contamination.
Common wishcycled items include:
- Plastic utensils and straws
- Plastic toys and hangers
- Random metal objects (wires, tools, pots and pans)
- Non-recyclable packaging (multi-layer pouches, chip bags)
Why it costs you money
- Increases sorting and disposal costs for the facility
- Raises contamination rates, which can lead to program penalties or higher fees
- Can cause entire bales of materials to be downgraded or rejected
Quick fix
Adopt this rule: “When in doubt, leave it out.” If you’re not sure:
- Check your city or hauler’s online recycling guide.
- Look for a specific drop-off or special collection program.
- If you can’t confirm, toss it in the trash—not the blue bin.
Mistake #2: Putting plastic bags and film in the bin
Most curbside recycling programs do not accept plastic bags or film, including:
- Grocery and retail bags
- Bread and produce bags
- Bubble wrap and air pillows
- Plastic wrap and shrink wrap
Even if the bag says “recyclable,” it usually means through store drop-off, not curbside.
Why it costs you money
- Bags and film wrap around sorting equipment, forcing shut-downs and costly repairs.
- Extra labor is needed to cut them out by hand.
- Increased downtime and maintenance are reflected in higher program costs.
Quick fix
- Collect clean, dry bags and film in a single bag and bring them to a store with a bag-recycling bin (often at large grocery or big-box retailers).
- Use reusable bags to reduce the number of plastic bags entering your home in the first place.
- Never bag recyclables in plastic; leave them loose in the cart.
Mistake #3: Recycling dirty or half-full containers
Food and liquid are major contaminants in curbside recycling. Common offenders:
- Peanut butter jars with thick residue
- Takeout containers with sauce or grease
- Half-full juice, soda, or milk bottles
- Yogurt cups with food still inside
Why it costs you money
- Food soil degrades paper and cardboard, making them less valuable.
- Liquids can leak onto other recyclables, increasing the chance of rejection.
- Mold and pests can form in stored material, requiring disposal as trash.
Quick fix
You don’t need to scrub items spotless—“empty and lightly rinsed” is enough.
- Empty all food and liquid.
- Quick rinse with leftover dishwater if needed.
- Let containers drip-dry before tossing them in the bin.
For greasy cardboard (like pizza boxes), tear off the clean top and recycle that; put the greasy bottom in the trash or compost if accepted locally.
Mistake #4: Treating all plastics as equal
The chasing-arrows symbol doesn’t mean “this is recyclable in your curbside program.” It’s a resin code, and many types—especially #3, #4, #6, and #7—aren’t widely accepted at the curb.
Typical curbside plastic rules (always verify locally):
-
Commonly accepted:
- Bottles and jugs (soda, milk, laundry detergent, shampoo)
- Some tubs (yogurt, margarine) in many—but not all—areas
-
Commonly not accepted curbside:
- Clamshells (strawberry, bakery, salad containers)
- Black plastic food trays
- Styrofoam and foam peanuts
- Plastic cutlery, straws, and small caps not attached
Why it costs you money
- Non-accepted plastics must be removed and landfilled, adding labor and disposal costs.
- Low-value plastic lowers the overall value of mixed plastic bales.
Quick fix
- Follow the phrase many haulers use: “Bottles, jugs, and sometimes tubs.”
- Prioritize shape over the number: containers with a neck (bottle/jug) are most likely accepted.
- Keep caps on bottles if your program allows; off caps are too small to be captured.
Mistake #5: Including tanglers and dangerous items
“Tanglers” are long, flexible items that wrap around sorting machinery:
- Garden hoses
- Extension cords and wires
- Clothing, textiles, and shoes
- Christmas lights
- Strapping tape and long plastic strapping
Dangerous items include:
- Propane tanks (even “empty”)
- Rechargeable and lithium batteries
- Electronics
- Needles and medical sharps
Why it costs you money
- Tanglers cause frequent jams and shutdowns, adding maintenance expense.
- Hazardous items pose serious safety risks to workers and may require special emergency responses.
- Programs pass increased insurance and handling costs back to customers.
Quick fix
- Trash tanglers you can’t reuse or donate—never put them in curbside recycling.
- Take batteries, electronics, and propane tanks to designated drop-off sites or household hazardous waste events.
- Use official sharps containers and follow local guidelines for medical waste.
Mistake #6: Assuming all paper and cardboard are always recyclable
Paper and cardboard are recycling staples, but not every paper product belongs in curbside recycling:
Problem items:
- Food-contaminated paper (greasy pizza boxes, used napkins, paper plates)
- Wax- or plastic-coated paper that your hauler doesn’t accept
- Shredded paper (often too small to sort)
- Paper cups with plastic linings, in many areas
Why it costs you money
- Grease and food make paper fibers harder to process and can ruin batches.
- Very small pieces (like shreds) fall through sorting screens and end up as residue.
Quick fix
- Flatten and dry all cardboard; remove plastic wrap and packing materials.
- Recycle clean paper only. Compost or trash heavily soiled items, depending on your local program.
- Only place shredded paper in recycling if your hauler explicitly allows it and follow their bagging instructions.
Mistake #7: Overloading or underusing your recycling cart
How you use your curbside recycling container matters:
- Overfilled carts: Lids can’t close, and items blow away, becoming litter.
- Very light, loose material (like unflattened boxes) can get stuck or not empty properly during collection.
Why it costs you money
- Haulers may charge extra for overloaded carts or extra bags.
- Litter from overflowing bins creates cleanup costs for the community.
- Inefficient routes and repeated pickups drive up operational expenses.
Quick fix
- Break down boxes and nest smaller ones inside larger ones.
- Keep the cart lid fully closed on pickup day.
- If you routinely overflow, ask about upgrading to a larger cart or higher service level; it may be cheaper than extra-bag charges.
Mistake #8: Ignoring your local curbside recycling rules
Every city and hauler sets slightly different rules based on:
- Local processing technology
- Demand from recycling markets
- Regional regulations
What’s recyclable in one town may be trash in the next.
Why it costs you money
- Mismatched expectations cause high contamination.
- Haulers spend more time leaving “oops” tags, skipping bins, or dealing with callbacks.
- Programs have to invest more in education and enforcement.
Quick fix
Once a year, spend 5–10 minutes reviewing your local curbside recycling guide.
Look for:
- Accepted materials list
- “Never” list (hazardous and problem materials)
- Preparation rules (e.g., lids on/off, labels on/off, rinsing)
- Any changes announced in the last year
Many haulers offer printable guides, fridge magnets, or mobile apps with search features (“Can I recycle…?”).
Simple curbside recycling checklist for your home
Use this quick checklist each time you fill your bin:
-
Is it accepted locally?
- Yes → continue
- No / not sure → look it up or trash it
-
Is it clean and dry?
- Empty all food and liquid
- Lightly rinse containers if needed
-
Is it loose and the right size?
- No plastic bags
- No very small loose pieces (like tiny caps or shreds)
-
Could it tangle or harm equipment?
- No hoses, cords, wires, clothing, or batteries
-
Is the cart packed efficiently?
- Flatten boxes
- Lid closes completely
Post this near your bin to build good habits quickly.
FAQ: Getting more value from curbside recycling
1. What are the most common curbside recycling mistakes households make?
The most common curbside recycling mistakes are wishcycling questionable items, putting plastic bags and film in the bin, recycling dirty containers, and adding tanglers like hoses and cords. These errors increase contamination and processing costs, which can lead to higher fees and less effective recycling programs.
2. How can I make curbside recycling more convenient and accurate at home?
Set up a simple system:
- Place a labeled bin next to your trash that matches your curbside recycling rules.
- Hang a printed or digital list of accepted items where everyone can see it.
- Add a reminder like “When in doubt, leave it out.”
- Keep a small dish brush near the sink for quick container rinses.
This reduces confusion and helps everyone in the household recycle correctly without extra effort.
3. Is curbside recycling really worth it if some stuff still goes to the landfill?
Yes. Even with imperfections, properly used curbside recycling diverts large amounts of paper, cardboard, metal, and certain plastics from landfills. These materials can be turned into new products using fewer resources and less energy than producing from virgin materials. The key is reducing contamination, so more of what you place at the curb actually gets recycled rather than rejected.
Turn your curbside recycling into real savings—for you and your community
Your blue bin is more powerful than it looks. Small changes—rinsing containers, skipping the plastic bags, keeping tanglers out, and following your local rules—can significantly reduce contamination rates in curbside recycling. That means less waste going to landfills, more materials turned into new products, and lower long-term costs for your community.
Take five minutes today to: look up your hauler’s latest recycling guide, post a quick checklist near your bin, and share these quick fixes with your household. By making a few smart adjustments right now, you’ll turn curbside recycling from a confusing chore into a simple, money-saving habit that actually works.
Junk Guys Inland Empire
Phone: 909-253-0968
Website: www.junkguysie.com
Email: junkguysie@gmail.com
