3 minute read
When 'Wishcycling' Goes Wrong
Molly Meister
Molly Meister is a publications supervisor in the DNR’s Office of Communications.
Recycling is a widespread practice across Wisconsin, but practice doesn’t always make perfect.
Many of us close our eyes and cast our plastic foam, plastic household items and other materials into our curbside recycle bins, hoping they’ll be recycled. The truth is, these items aren’t meant for these facilities. That creates more work to reroute them to a landfill, often at taxpayers’ expense.
This phenomenon is known as “wish-cycling” — putting something in your bin when you're not sure it belongs there, but you hope so. It can apply to items that are recyclable, just not in your curbside bin, or items that simply belong in the garbage.
Experts estimate more than 100,000 tons of nonrecyclable materials end up at recycling facilities each year in Wisconsin, with an approximate cost of $6 million in added landfill expenses.
Jennifer Semrau, DNR waste reduction and diversion coordinator, identifies some of the most frequently wish-cycled materials and how to dispose of them properly.
1. Plastic bags and wrap. Everyday household shopping bags, plastic that wraps a case of water, bread and produce bags, dry cleaner bags, etc., should not go in your curbside bin. You can recycle clean, dry bags and wraps at retail dropoff locations. Or better yet, reuse them as much as possible. Thicker plastic bags, such as those for dog food and water softener salt, should be thrown in the trash.
2. Batteries. Putting certain batteries in your recycling or trash bin can cause fires. Take rechargeable batteries to a battery drop-off location. It is OK to throw away single-use alkaline batteries.
3. Electronics. These items cannot legally be thrown in the trash. Please take them to an electronics recycler.
4. Tanglers. Items like hoses, ropes, holiday lights and cords can get wrapped in equipment at recycling facilities and cause problems. Scrap metal locations may accept light strings and cords; otherwise, they can be thrown away.
5. Glass. Broken mirrors, eyeglasses and dishware can’t be recycled. Consider donating items in good condition before putting them in the garbage.
6. Yard waste. Organic material can neither be recycled nor taken to a landfill. Consider leaving grass clippings on your lawn, composting leaves or taking materials to a local yard waste drop-off.
7. Food waste, diapers, pet waste. These items are not recyclable and should never be placed in the recycling bin. Consider composting plant-based food waste, and always place diapers and pet waste in the trash.
8. Sharps/needles. These biohazards must be taken to a registered sharps collection location to protect workers sorting items by hand at recycling facilities.
LEARN MORE
Remember that materials like cardboard and paper, plastic and glass bottles, and aluminum and steel cans are always good candidates for the recycling bin, but different municipalities might accept different items. Check for what your curbside recycling program can accept. For more on recycling in Wisconsin, visit dnr.wi.gov/topic/recycling.
