Recycling Myths Busted

Andi Sedlacek

Andi Sedlacek is a publications supervisor in the DNR’s Office of Communications.

Recycling is part of everyday life, but something so familiar can sometimes still be confusing. Let’s bust some common recycling myths so we can each take small steps to benefit our planet.

Myth: Old batteries can go in a curbside recycling bin.

Realty: No! Curbside recycling programs in Wisconsin do not allow batteries or battery-containing devices in bins or carts. Some rechargeable batteries create a significant fire risk at recycling facilities.

Single-use alkaline batteries that no longer work can be thrown away in the trash. Rechargeable batteries, like those found in cell phones, laptops, radios and cordless power tools, can be recycled at a drop-off location.

Visit the DNR's Electronics Recycling webpage to find battery and electronics drop-off locations.

Myth: All recycling ends up in the landfill or overseas.

Realty: Recycling is going strong in Wisconsin with 44 recycling facilities — called materials recovery facilities, or MRFs — processing Wisconsin material here and in neighboring states. Each year, these facilities report to the DNR on the cardboard, paper, metal, glass and plastic containers they successfully sent to end markets and the “residual” they landfilled. Residual includes trash and recyclables not captured by their system.

The residual rate has consistently been around 14% over the last several years. That means approximately 86% of the materials sent to recycling facilities in our state gets recycled, and over 700,000 tons of materials are diverted from landfills every year. Much of this material stays in the Midwest, including feeding Wisconsin’s robust paper industry.

Myth: When you recycle an old computer or smartphone, your data can be stolen.

Reality: Responsible electronics recyclers will wipe your data or destroy hard drives/memory storage if the device isn’t being reused.

You also can take steps to protect yourself. First, back up the data you need from a smartphone, tablet or computer. Then, sign out of every account possible and perform a factory reset. If your smartphone has a SIM card, remove it before recycling.

Myth: All plastic items with a recycling symbol can be recycled, regardless of the number on them.

Reality: The number you see on a plastic item is the code used to identify the type of chemical resin making up the plastic. Different resins cannot be mixed to create new products, so to help keep resins separate, the plastics industry developed a standardized numerical resin code system.

By law, all local recycling programs in Wisconsin accept plastic containers with resin codes #1 and #2. For all other plastics, check with your local recycling program before putting them in your curbside recycling bin.

The recycling facility that serves your area may not have the equipment and resources to process #3-7 plastics. As a result, your local recycling program may request residents keep some or all of these out of their household recycling bins.

Some of these other plastics can be dropped off at collection points or sent to specialized recyclers. For example, plastic bags and wraps are commonly collected at grocery stores.

Myth: Old medications can be safely thrown away or flushed down the toilet.

Reality: Flushing medications down the drain is not recommended. Most water treatment systems do not remove pharmaceuticals, and septic tanks can leak, potentially contaminating water supplies.

Taking old medications to a permanent drug drop box is the most environmentally friendly disposal option. Review the packaging before dropping off a medication to see if it offers specific disposal instructions. If it doesn’t, you can dispose of the medication at a permanent drug drop box. Protect your personal information by removing labels or covering information with a permanent marker. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services provides a list of permanent drug drop box sites.