As plastic products become more complex, proper recycling can be hard to navigate. That’s why we are demystifying the blue bin and helping you sort like a pro.
Why Recycling Right Matters
It’s just one chip bag in the recycling bin – no big deal, right?
Manual labor and machinery drive the daily processes of recycling facilities. That one chip bag has the potential to jam the machines, compromising the whole load.
When trash or hazardous waste contaminates recyclables, it defeats the point. Any high-quality plastic in that load goes straight to the landfill, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and overconsumption.
Common Contamination Culprits
These plastics are often mistaken as recyclable. Here’s why they should actually go in the trash.
Snack bags and candy wrappers: Made with multiple layers of material that cannot be separated in standard recycling facilities.
Plastic liner bag and loose plastic film: Can get tangled in sorting machinery, disrupting operations.
Plastic hangers: Made of mixed materials and get caught on conveyor belts.
Paper towels: Made with recycled paper that has been contaminated with food, grease or chemicals.
The Scrunch Test
That’s a handful to remember! This simple test will help.
Before you toss plastic in your blue bin, try to scrunch it in your hand.
If the item crumples into a ball in your palm and stays like that, it’s better to place it in the trash. If it bounces back or is a hard plastic that can’t be scrunched at all (without rigid edges), it can go in your blue bin.
The Rules of Recycling
Recycling rules vary by region and are continuously evolving.
To clear up any of your remaining questions, head to WasteFreeSD.org. Here you will find information about how and where to dispose of your desired material.
