Unexpected Items That Tangle Recycling

Let's delve into the surprising objects that may inadvertently find their way into recycling machinery and wreak havoc on the recycling process.

1. Clothing and Textiles

While textiles like clothing, linens, and fabric scraps are accepted through several specialized programs, they can cause significant issues when they end up in traditional recycling bins. Loose fabric strands can become entangled in machinery, leading to jams and disruptions in recycling facilities. To prevent this, consider donating old clothing or textiles to textile recycling programs or thrift stores instead of tossing them in the recycling bin.

2. Garden Hoses and Ropes

Items like garden hoses, ropes, and cords may seem harmless, but they pose a significant risk of tangling in recycling machinery. Their flexible and durable nature makes them prone to getting caught in conveyor belts and sorting equipment, leading to costly downtime and repairs for recycling facilities. Proper disposal of garden hoses and ropes involves donating them for reuse or disposing of them as solid waste.

3. Plastic Bags and Film

Plastic bags and film are notorious for causing problems for recycling machinery. Once inside, these lightweight items can wrap around equipment and jam machinery, resulting in work stoppages and safety hazards for facility workers. If your recycling program does accept these items in curbside collection, there are probably some directions about how to add them correctly, such as putting all bags into one bag and then tying them at the top. Otherwise, they may only be accepted at drop-off locations, including grocery retail store drop-off bins. Make sure to look up the correct disposal of these bags and film packaging in the 'What Goes Where' search tool before disposing of them.

4. Electrical Cords and Cables

Old electrical cords and cables from electronics may seem innocuous, but they can create chaos at recycling facilities if not properly handled. These items contain metal components that can snag and tangle in equipment, leading to damage and downtime. Consider recycling electrical cords and cables through electronic waste recycling programs or disposing of them as solid waste.

5. Christmas Lights

After the holiday season, broken or unwanted Christmas lights often find their way into recycling bins; however, the thin wires and small bulbs can easily become entangled in recycling machinery, causing jams and delays in processing. To responsibly dispose of Christmas lights, consider recycling them through specialized programs or repurposing them for craft projects.

As we all strive to embrace recycling it's essential to be mindful of unexpected items that can disrupt the process. By staying informed about proper recycling practices and avoiding the inclusion of tangling items in recycling bins, we can keep our recycling efforts on track.