Recycling is one of the simplest ways we can all contribute to a cleaner, healthier planet. But as easy as tossing something into the blue bin seems, recycling right takes more attention than most people realize. From contamination issues to confusion about what’s actually recyclable, there are several common mistakes that can cause entire loads of recycling to end up in the landfill.
At Earthwise Waste Solutions, we’re proud to offer single-stream recycling that makes the process easier for homes and businesses throughout Southern Colorado. Still, recycling correctly matters. Understanding the basics helps ensure your efforts truly make a difference for the environment and for your community.
If you want to make sure what you’re putting in the bin really gets recycled, here are the top seven things to remember.
1. Clean, Empty, and Dry Matters More Than You Think
The most important rule of recycling is simple: clean, empty, and dry. It might seem harmless to toss a half-full soda bottle or a sauce-covered pizza box into your bin, but contamination like that can ruin the entire batch of recyclables.
When food residue or liquid mixes with paper, cardboard, and other recyclables, it can cause materials to break down or stick together, making them impossible to process at the recycling facility. Even a small amount of contamination can lead to a full truckload being sent to the landfill instead of being reused.
What to Do Instead
- Rinse cans, bottles, and jars with a little water before recycling
- Shake out any liquids and let items air dry before tossing them in the bin
- For greasy paper items like pizza boxes, only recycle the clean sections. Tear off and throw away the oily parts
Keeping your recyclables clean and dry helps keep recycling programs efficient and cost-effective. It also protects the quality of the materials so they can actually be turned into something new.
2. Know What’s Accepted in Your Local Recycling Program
Not all recycling programs accept the same materials. What’s recyclable in Denver might not be in Colorado Springs or Pueblo. Even within the same county, different haulers or facilities may have unique requirements based on where they send materials for processing.
At Earthwise Waste Solutions, our single-stream recycling program accepts the most common household and business recyclables, including:
- Cardboard and mixed paper
- Plastic bottles and containers labeled #1–#7 (no plastic bags or film)
- Aluminum cans
- Steel and tin cans
- Glass bottles and jars
However, items like Styrofoam, plastic bags, shredded paper, and electronics typically need special handling or drop-off locations.
How to Stay Informed
Check your local recycling guidelines regularly, especially if you move or switch waste providers. You can usually find an updated list of accepted materials on your hauler’s website or by contacting customer service. At Earthwise, we also encourage customers to call or email if they’re unsure about a specific item.
When in doubt, it’s better to throw it out. That might sound counterintuitive, but placing non-recyclable materials in the bin can contaminate the rest of your recycling and create costly issues for sorting facilities.
3. Plastic Bags and Films Don’t Belong in the Bin
Plastic bags, wraps, and films are among the most common recycling mistakes people make. These materials are not recyclable through curbside programs, even though they’re made of plastic. The reason is that they tangle around sorting equipment at recycling facilities, causing breakdowns, delays, and safety hazards.
That includes:
- Grocery bags and produce bags
- Bubble wrap and shipping film
- Bread bags and dry cleaning bags
- Plastic wrap around cases of water or soda
What to Do Instead
Many grocery stores, big-box retailers, and shipping centers offer plastic bag recycling drop-offs. These specialized programs use equipment designed to handle thin, flexible plastics safely.
Alternatively, try to reduce your use of plastic bags altogether by switching to reusable totes or cloth bags. For storage or shipping, consider paper alternatives or recyclable cardboard packaging.
4. Avoid “Wish-Cycling”
We’ve all done it at some point. You’re holding an item you’re not sure about, but instead of throwing it away, you toss it in the recycling bin hoping it will somehow get sorted out and reused. This is called wish-cycling, and unfortunately, it does more harm than good.
Wish-cycling introduces contamination and adds significant sorting costs for recycling centers. It can also damage equipment or lower the overall quality of the materials collected.
Common Wish-Cycled Items
- Coffee cups (especially paper ones lined with plastic)
- Paper towels, napkins, and tissues
- Hoses, cords, and string lights
- Plastic utensils and straws
- Small household items like hangers or toys
The Right Mindset
Before you put something in the recycling bin, ask yourself: Is this accepted in my program? If you’re not sure, check your hauler’s list or use a recycling search tool like Earth911.
If it’s not recyclable, find a reuse option or dispose of it properly. Responsible recycling means putting the right materials in the right place.
5. Flatten Boxes, But Don’t Crush Cans
Cardboard is one of the most valuable recyclable materials, but bulky boxes can quickly fill your bin or make collection less efficient. Breaking them down before recycling helps conserve space and ensures they’re processed correctly. Just make sure the boxes are free from food residue and tape.
However, the same rule doesn’t apply to cans. While you might think crushing aluminum or tin cans saves space, it can actually confuse sorting machines. Many facilities rely on shape and size sensors to identify materials, and crushed cans may be sorted incorrectly as paper or plastic.
Quick Tips
- Flatten cardboard boxes completely before putting them in your bin
- Remove packing materials like plastic wrap, foam inserts, or bubble wrap
- Leave cans in their normal shape for easier sorting
- Stack smaller boxes inside larger ones to save room
A few extra seconds spent preparing recyclables makes a big difference in how efficiently your materials are processed.
6. Don’t Bag Your Recyclables
Another major recycling mistake is bagging recyclables before putting them in the bin. It might seem tidy to gather everything in a trash bag or grocery sack, but most recycling facilities can’t process bagged materials. The bags can’t be opened safely on the sorting line, so the entire contents are usually thrown away.
Instead, place recyclables loose in your bin or cart. That way, sorting machines and workers can easily identify and separate each material.
Why This Matters
Bagged recycling can cause:
- Contamination if mixed with trash or liquids
- Equipment jams and downtime at processing facilities
- Safety risks for workers who must manually tear open bags
If you prefer to collect recyclables indoors using a bag or container, just empty it directly into your curbside bin and reuse it. Keeping items loose ensures everything has the best chance to actually be recycled.
7. When in Doubt, Check or Ask
Recycling isn’t always straightforward. With packaging materials evolving and recycling rules changing, it’s normal to have questions. But instead of guessing, take a minute to check.
At Earthwise Waste Solutions, we encourage all our customers to reach out anytime they’re uncertain about an item. Our goal is to help make recycling easier and more effective for the entire community. The more informed people are, the cleaner and more efficient our recycling streams become.
Where to Find Answers
- Visit your waste hauler’s website for accepted material lists
- Look for recycling symbols on packaging. Numbers inside the triangular arrows often indicate the type of plastic
- Use online tools or apps that let you search by item type
- Contact local recycling centers for clarification
Being proactive helps reduce contamination, saves money for recycling programs, and ensures that your efforts actually support sustainability.
Bonus Tip: Reuse and Reduce Before You Recycle
Recycling is important, but it’s only one part of the bigger picture. The first two “R’s” in the classic “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” hierarchy come first for a reason. The best waste is the waste that never exists in the first place.
Before tossing something in the bin, ask yourself if you could reuse it, repurpose it, or avoid buying it altogether next time. For example:
- Use refillable water bottles instead of single-use plastics
- Donate old clothing, furniture, or electronics
- Choose products with minimal or recyclable packaging
- Buy in bulk to reduce packaging waste
By rethinking how you shop and dispose of items, you can make a bigger impact than recycling alone ever could.
Why Recycling the Right Way Matters
It’s easy to forget that recycling is part of a larger system. Every item in your bin travels through a complex process of sorting, cleaning, and reprocessing before it becomes something new. Contamination and improper sorting add costs, slow down the system, and can even lead to entire batches being discarded.
When everyone follows best practices, recycling becomes more efficient and more materials are actually reused instead of ending up in landfills. Proper recycling conserves natural resources, saves energy, reduces pollution, and supports jobs in the local recycling and manufacturing industries.
Environmental Benefits
- Energy Savings: Recycling aluminum saves up to 95% of the energy required to make it from raw materials
- Resource Conservation: Recycling paper reduces the need for deforestation and saves water in paper production
- Pollution Reduction: Manufacturing with recycled materials produces fewer greenhouse gases and less waste
Even small changes, like rinsing containers or keeping bags out of your bin, add up when entire communities participate.
How Earthwise Waste Solutions Supports Smarter Recycling
At Earthwise Waste Solutions, we believe that sustainability starts with doing things the right way. As a locally owned and operated company based in Colorado Springs, we take pride in helping residents and businesses recycle more efficiently through single-stream recycling.
Our Recycling Approach
- Single-Stream Simplicity: All accepted recyclables go into one bin, making it easier for customers to participate
- Community Education: We share clear, practical information to help reduce contamination
- Reliable Collection: Our professional drivers ensure consistent service and proper material handling
- Commitment to Sustainability: We work closely with local processing facilities to ensure that recyclable materials stay out of landfills whenever possible
We understand that recycling can be confusing, which is why we focus on clarity and customer education. Whether you’re a homeowner, business owner, or property manager, our team is here to help you recycle smarter and with confidence.
Common Recycling Myths to Forget
Even with widespread recycling education, there are still myths that cause confusion. Let’s clear up a few of the most common ones.
Myth 1: Everything with a recycling symbol is recyclable
The recycling symbol doesn’t automatically mean an item can go in your curbside bin. It only indicates what type of material it’s made from, not whether your local facility can process it.
Myth 2: If it’s made of plastic, it’s recyclable
Not all plastics are created equal. Flexible plastics like bags or films, or mixed-material items like chip bags, can’t be recycled in most single-stream programs.
Myth 3: Recycling doesn’t really make a difference
It absolutely does. Recycling aluminum cans, for example, can turn them back into new cans in as little as 60 days. Proper recycling keeps materials in use and out of landfills, saving energy and reducing waste.
Myth 4: It’s fine to leave food residue on recyclables
Even small amounts of food can cause big problems. Clean recyclables are far more likely to actually be recycled.
Key Takeaways
- Always keep recyclables clean, empty, and dry
- Check your hauler’s recycling list for accepted materials
- Avoid plastic bags, films, and other non-recyclable plastics
- Don’t “wish-cycle” or guess what belongs in the bin
- Flatten cardboard but leave cans uncrushed
- Keep recyclables loose and never bag them
- When in doubt, contact your waste hauler or check their website
These habits may seem small, but together they create a more effective and sustainable recycling system for everyone.
Building a More Sustainable Colorado Together
Recycling right helps protect Colorado’s natural beauty and reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills across the region. Every resident and business that takes a few extra moments to recycle properly plays an important role in creating cleaner communities and a healthier environment.
At Earthwise Waste Solutions, we’re proud to provide reliable recycling and waste services across Southern Colorado, including Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and Teller County. We’re committed to helping our customers stay informed and recycle responsibly.
If you’re ready to simplify your recycling while making a real difference, Earthwise Waste Solutions can help. Contact our team today to learn more about our single-stream recycling services and see how easy it can be to recycle smarter.
