What Really Happens When You Wishcycle?

wishcycle

Have you ever been in front of the recycling bin, debating whether or not to toss in an item you’re not entirely sure can be recycled?

To recycle or not is the question — and while one may think it’s better to toss an item in the recycling bin just in case it can somehow get recycled, “wishcycling” can actually cause more harm than good.

What is Wishcycling?

Wishcycling is the act of putting an item in the recycling bin in hopes that it can get recycled, regardless of whether that item is in fact recyclable or not. While it is true that we should recycle as much as possible, tossing items that don’t actually belong in the recycling bin carries harmful unintended consequences.

The items we throw in our recycling bin are sent to a facility and sorted by recycling workers and machines — but items that are not actually recyclable can jam up machinery and waste sorters’ time, making it so items that are actually recyclable are not all captured. Moreover, non-recyclable items can contaminate recyclable items and make it so that the recyclable items are too contaminated to actually be recycled.

When in Doubt, Check the Recycling Guide

But, no need to worry: there is a recycling guide to help you out anytime you’re unsure of whether an item is or isn’t recyclable. You can access it on your phone, tablet or computer – simply search for the item to discover how to properly dispose of it. Find more tips on using your recycling guide.

And the next time you are tempted to recycle something you’re unsure of, check the guide to see if it is really recyclable!