08/17/2026
a reminder message from WastePro
Does my stuff actually get recycled? My neighbor told me it’s a scam. It all gets sent to the landfill anyway so why bother recycling?
I hear this every single day. And folks, it’s simply not true. Now I’m not going to lie to you. Some of it WILL end up in the landfill. Variables like type of material and local rules, small pieces that fall through during processing, contaminated items, items that simply don’t belong (I’m looking at you, person who thought a bowling ball could go into their bin!) But, in general, if you’re doing it right, your materials are getting recycled.
According to the US EPA, approximately 32% of total municipal solid waste is recycled or composted in the United States. Not a huge number but remember: not every community has curbside recycling programs. Kudos to your community for doing their part!
Attitude also plays a key role in recycling. Trust in the system. Thankfully 7 in 10 people believe recycling is worth the effort. Confidence grows when access is easy and information is clearly communicated.
Finally, as with most things, when not sure if things are being recycled, follow the money.
Metal (aluminum and steel) is highly profitable. The value of scrap is high and the costs to remelt and recycle is low. An aluminum can can be picked up, processed, recycled and back on the shelf in as little as 60 days. It can be recycled indefinitely without losing its quality. It’s a winner when it comes to recycling! ALWAYS recycle your aluminum and steel cans. No need to peel the label, but you do need to rinse it clean before placing in your bin.
Cardboard and paper has a solid, stable demand. Think of all those shipping boxes. Break them down and recycle them. The endless stream of junk mail. Recycle it. Super easy to process and make into new paper products.
Plastic is trickier and it is everywhere and in everything. Prices fluctuate depending on oil prices, but if we are following the money – ALWAYS recycle Plastics #1 and #2. These plastics have a high and steady demand, they are easy to sort, easy to process, and there is a consistent supply.
Plastic #1, like drink and food bottles, can be easily processed into fleece and carpet, tote bags and new drink containers. Plastic #2, like milk, detergent, shampoo bottles become plastic lumber, pipes, outdoor furniture.
Plastics #3-7 are recyclable but have more limits. If you want to RECYCLE AND RECYCLE RIGHT, you CAN’T GO WRONG with Plastics #1 and #2.
So the next time you hear “Why recycle? It’s just a scam and all your stuff goes to the landfill anyway” tell them:
There is no one size fits all answer for this. Plastic recycling can be deeply flawed but metals and paper work exceptionally well. Recycling them conserves resources. That is a fact. Plastics #1 and #2 have a high demand. That is a fact. And by doing our part to recycle we are putting habits in place until the technology catches up.
Reduce and Reuse come first. Stopping waste at the source is better than sorting it out later. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t recycle. Without you … it’s all trash.
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