Commentary: Practical ways to build cleaner recycling streams

When it comes to contamination in recycling streams, while there’s no single solution, many small, practical steps can add up to meaningful change. Over the years, I’ve seen that the biggest challenges often come down to clarity, consistency and infrastructure. In other words, are we making it easy for people to do the right thing, and are we giving them the right tools to do it?

Contamination doesn’t just slow down sorting operations, it also undermines the entire process. When recyclables get mixed with trash or food waste, the whole batch can become unusable. But the good news is, with a few straightforward strategies, we can make big improvements.

Small steps, big improvements

Photo courtesy of Acme Paper & Supply Co.

One of the easiest and most effective strategies is consistent and clear color coding. That means green for compostables, blue for recyclables and black or gray for trash. Not only are these colors widely recognized, but the visual cue alone makes sorting more intuitive, especially in multilingual facilities or high-traffic areas where people don’t have time to stop and read signage. The easier we make it to sort correctly, the cleaner the material stream will be when it reaches the facility.

Another key factor is partnering with the right collection and processing companies. It’s not enough to separate waste properly at the front end, the materials also must make it to the correct endpoint.

That means working with haulers that not only have the capacity to manage separated streams effectively but also are transparent about where the material actually ends up. The collection process and the end destination must align if we want true contamination reduction and waste diversion.

It’s also worth looking closely at the materials being used inside your own operation. Sometimes the best way to reduce contamination is simply to produce less waste in the first place. Evaluate whether your packaging and containers are recyclable, reusable or compostable and make the switch to packaging that falls into one of these categories where possible.

The role of education

There’s also the matter of everyone actually knowing what is and isn’t recyclable. Many people think that just because something looks recyclable, it is, when that might not always be the case.

A great example of this is pizza boxes. Yes, they are made of cardboard, and cardboard is a recyclable product as long as the food and liner have been removed from the box.

This is where education comes into play. Training staff, posting clear signage and reinforcing what’s recyclable and what isn’t can make a significant difference. After all, a single unrecyclable item can ruin an entire load of recyclables.

Necessary infrastructure

Ultimately, though, no matter how much we all do to stop contamination, it comes down to infrastructure. After all, if there is nowhere for compostable or recyclable materials to go, the system breaks down.

That’s why investment and planning are crucial. Just like you wouldn’t build a structure on sand, we need a solid foundation for recycling systems, one that includes consistent collection, processing capacity and end-market availability. Once that foundation is there, we can build upon it with confidence.

Andy Attman is vice president of Sales for Acme Paper & Supply Co., headquartered in Savage, Maryland. He oversees the growth and performance of the company across six different regions, including Pennsylvania and Maryland. With nearly 20 years of experience in the paper and supply industry, Attman has developed a deep understanding and knowledge of the industry, allowing him to work with his clients to provide whatever they need, from food service equipment and packaging to janitorial supplies and equipment and custom and industrial packaging.