Contamination — when items that can’t be recycled curbside are put into curbside bins — is one of the biggest challenges facing recycling today. Currently in Gwinnett, 19% of what we’re collectively setting out at our curbs isn’t actually recyclable curbside (or may not be recyclable at all). Nationally, one in four items placed into a recycling container is not recyclable curbside. This creates enormous problems for the recycling economy. Since recyclers want to buy material that ideally contains zero contamination, that puts recycling sorters in a very tough spot and results in too much stuff going to landfills.
The only items accepted in curbside recycling in Gwinnett County are empty plastic bottles and jugs that are marked with a #1 or a #2 resin identification code (the number inside the recycling symbol); empty metal food and beverage cans; empty aerosol cans; paper (except waxed or shredded paper); magazines and junk mail; and flattened cardboard. It’s a short list, but it’s very important that we stick to it to do our part to reduce recycling contamination.
The best thing we can do for recycling is to keep our household recycling streams clean and free of contaminants. Go by the mantra “when in doubt, keep it out!” Recycling right is good for the economy, the environment, and our community.
That said, it can take a while to learn and remember what’s recyclable curbside and what’s not. Can you recognize contamination when you see it? Check out these photos of recycling bins and click the button below each photo to learn what in that bin can’t be recycled curbside in Gwinnett County.
Hint: To keep you on your toes, one or more bins might not have any contamination! See if you can guess which ones.
1
Answer
Plastic bags should never go in a curbside bin, whether they’re empty or full of other recycling. In fact, bagging your recyclables is likely to get them thrown away, since workers at the plant may not be able to cut open tied bags and sort through what’s inside. Take bags to plastic bag recycling bins at stores (like Target, Wal-Mart, Publix, and Kroger) and always leave curbside recyclables loose.
2
Answer
Plastic newspaper sleeves count as plastic bags, too! Newspapers must be removed from their sleeves before they can be recycled. Clean and dry plastic sleeves can be put in plastic bag recycling bins at stores.
Unfortunately, the Cool Whip tub also doesn’t belong — only plastic that is marked with a #1 or a #2 resin identification code (the number inside the recycling symbol) on the bottom of the container, AND that is in the shape of a bottle or jug can be recycled curbside. We’d recommend collecting miscellaneous plastics like these for an occasional trip to the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM) in Atlanta, which accepts all plastics marked with a #1, #2, #4, #5, or #6 resin identification code to send to specialized recyclers.
3
Answer
Nothing wrong here! With clean cardboard, paper, and plastic jugs, this recycling bin gets an A+.
4
Answer
Styrofoam can’t be recycled curbside. Instead, take clean Styrofoam egg cartons, trays, takeout containers, and cups to Publix grocery stores for recycling. Also, unfortunately, the plastic cup, plastic container, and lid aren’t the types of plastic items accepted curbside (reminder, just #1 and #2 plastic bottles and jugs!) and would need to be taken to a place like the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials to recycle.
5
Answer
Glass is no longer accepted in curbside recycling. To ensure that your glass beverage containers and jars are recycled, take them to a location where glass is accepted in a bin separate from other recyclables. Also, no plastic bags curbside!
6
Answer
Scrap metal, such as this mailbox door, can’t be processed in curbside recycling. Bonus points if you noticed the plastic bag (another no-no) underneath the mailbox piece!
7
Answer
Did you notice all the problems here? The Styrofoam egg tray can’t be recycled curbside. The Starbucks cup still has liquid in it, which will contaminate other recyclables, such as clean paper, when it is compacted in the recycling truck. The cup, cup lid, and straw are not recyclable curbside and need instead to be taken to a specialized
drop-off like the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials. And the lotion dispenser pump is unlikely to be recycled curbside — mailing it for free to a company like TerraCycle is more likely to ensure that it’s recycled. Plus, don’t forget to keep plastic bags like the sleeve in the lower left out of the bin!
8
Answer
Toys are not recyclable in Gwinnett County. Donate them, or throw them away if they’ve reached the end of their life.
9
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Paper towels are never recyclable, and this paper plate is too dirty to be recycled into new paper. The plastic bag can’t be recycled curbside. Finally, whatever mystery plastic the scrap to the right of the cereal box is, it doesn’t look like a bottle or a jug, so it’s a no too!
10
Answer
Anything greasy, such as this paper bag, belongs in the trash or in compost, not in recycling. The plastic bag (and the Styrofoam takeout container inside it) can’t be recycled curbside either.
How did you do? Were any of the recycling mistakes ones that you’ve made before too? Don’t worry if you got some wrong or haven’t recycled perfectly in the past. Starting today, see if you can make a couple of small changes each week to recycle more of the good stuff and keep the wrong stuff out. It’ll go a long way!
About Gwinnett Recycles: Gwinnett Recycles is focused on helping Gwinnett County, the second-largest county in the state of Georgia, reduce, reuse, compost, and recycle more material and keep waste out of landfills and the environment. Gwinnett Recycles is run 100% independently by citizen volunteers. To connect with us and support our efforts, follow us on Facebook and Instagram, subscribe to our newsletter, and consider volunteering with us!
About author Laura
Laura A. Hernandez is the founder of Gwinnett Recycles, a grassroots community organization focused on trash, and is a co-founder of Come Clean Gwinnett, a large Facebook-based community group that empowers citizens to reduce litter and blight. After serving for four years as a Mayor-appointed member of the Sustainable Norcross Commission, Laura went on to become the Chairwoman's appointee to the inaugural Gwinnett Sustainability Commission, which she led as chair. Laura hates to see anything go to waste and believes that Gwinnett County's nearly one million residents can make a big impact by reducing, reusing, composting, and recycling right.
5 Comments
Hello Ms. Hernandez,
My team and I are doing recycling research in Florida. I came across this post and loved your quiz. This is such a creative idea to assess knowledge. We are interested in using your images and wanted to ask you if we could include it in a survey that we intend to distribute to Florida residents. If you would like more information, please do not hesitate to ask. We certainly would credit you as the owner of the images. In any regard, feel free to not grant us permission. We want to be respectful of your photos and work!
Regards,
Sabrina
Hi Sabrina,
Thanks for getting in touch. Yes, you may use the images!
Laura
Laura, thank you for your efforts in Gwinnett and for this excellent and informative post. Our community needs more of this! I consider myself a pretty serious recycling enthusiast so I can’t help but point out that plastic bag in #7. It’s the 4th problem!
Great catch, Jacob! Updating that now.
Thank you for making this town a better place
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