Recycling is a cornerstone of sustainable waste management in Canada, with over 80% of households having access to recycling programs. Yet, despite its prevalence, recycling remains surrounded by misconceptions that can lead to ineffective habits and unnecessary waste. In this article, we'll examine five of the most common recycling myths and provide the facts you need to make your recycling efforts truly effective.
Myth #1: All Plastics with Recycling Symbols Can Be Recycled
Perhaps the most persistent recycling myth is that any plastic item bearing a recycling symbol (the numbered triangle) can be placed in your recycling bin.
The Myth
Many people believe that the recycling symbol with a number (1-7) on plastic products means the item is recyclable in any municipal program. This leads to "wishful recycling" where non-recyclable plastics contaminate recycling streams.
The Reality
The numbers in recycling symbols (known as Resin Identification Codes) simply identify the type of plastic resin used to make the product—they don't guarantee recyclability. In most Canadian municipalities:
- Plastics #1 (PET) and #2 (HDPE) are widely accepted
- Plastics #4 (LDPE) and #5 (PP) are accepted in some regions
- Plastics #3 (PVC), #6 (PS), and #7 (other/mixed) are rarely accepted in curbside programs
What You Should Do
Check your local municipality's recycling guidelines to learn exactly which plastic numbers are accepted in your area. Focus on the form of the item too—many municipalities accept bottles but not clamshells, even if they're made from the same plastic type.
For example, in Toronto, only rigid plastic containers with recycling symbols 1, 2, 4, and 5 are accepted in the Blue Bin program, while in Vancouver, all plastic containers numbered 1-7 are accepted (but plastic bags and foam packaging require special drop-off locations).
Myth #2: Items Must Be Perfectly Clean to Be Recycled
The Myth
Many people believe that recyclables need to be thoroughly washed and spotlessly clean, or they'll be rejected and sent to landfill. This misconception can be discouraging and may prevent people from recycling at all if they don't have time for thorough washing.
The Reality
While recyclables should be reasonably clean, they don't need to be spotless. The standard is "empty and rinsed"—not "dishwasher clean." Here's what recycling facilities actually require:
- Containers should be empty of food or liquid
- A quick rinse is sufficient to remove major residue
- Small amounts of food residue are acceptable and expected
The cleaning process at recycling facilities is designed to handle some contamination. However, excessive food waste can attract pests, create unpleasant working conditions, and contaminate paper products during the sorting process.
For items that are difficult to clean (like peanut butter jars), scrape out as much as possible and give a quick rinse. The energy and water saved by recycling still outweighs the resources used in a brief rinse.
Myth #3: All Recycling Ends Up in the Landfill Anyway
The Myth
A particularly harmful myth suggests that recycling is pointless because everything gets thrown in landfills anyway. This pessimistic view gained traction after China's 2018 National Sword policy restricted the import of recyclable materials, disrupting global recycling markets.
The Reality
While it's true that some collected recyclables can end up in landfills due to contamination or market fluctuations, most properly sorted recyclables in Canada do get recycled. According to Statistics Canada:
- Over 85% of collected newspaper and cardboard is successfully recycled
- About 70-80% of aluminum and steel cans are recycled
- PET plastic bottles have a recycling rate of approximately 60-70%
Since China's import restrictions, Canada has been investing in domestic recycling infrastructure and finding alternative international markets. Many provinces have also implemented extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs that require manufacturers to fund and manage recycling systems for their products.
Canadian Recycling Success
British Columbia's EPR system achieves recycling rates above 75% for paper, metal, and rigid plastic containers. Quebec's system recycles over 65% of collected materials. These successes show that effective recycling is possible with proper systems in place.
While the recycling system isn't perfect, the solution is better recycling practices and improved infrastructure—not abandoning recycling altogether.
Myth #4: Pizza Boxes Can't Be Recycled
The Myth
Many people believe that pizza boxes are entirely non-recyclable due to food grease and cheese contamination. As a result, millions of potentially recyclable cardboard boxes end up in landfills.
The Reality
The truth about pizza boxes is more nuanced than a simple yes or no:
- Lightly greased pizza boxes are generally recyclable in most Canadian municipalities
- The cardboard fibers can still be recovered and recycled despite some grease
- Only heavily soiled boxes with stuck-on cheese or excessive grease should be composted or discarded
Modern recycling facilities have become better at processing paper products with some food contamination. Many municipalities now explicitly state that pizza boxes are acceptable in recycling bins.
If your pizza box is heavily soiled in some areas but clean in others, you can tear off the clean portions for recycling and compost or discard the heavily soiled parts.
Myth #5: Products Labeled "Biodegradable" or "Compostable" Can Go in Any Bin
The Myth
With the rise of eco-friendly packaging, many consumers believe items labeled "biodegradable" or "compostable" can be placed in recycling bins, regular compost, or even tossed in the environment to harmlessly decompose.
The Reality
These terms have specific meanings and requirements:
- Biodegradable simply means the item will eventually break down—but this could take months or even years depending on conditions
- Compostable items are designed to break down in commercial composting facilities, which maintain specific temperature and moisture conditions
- Most "compostable" plastics require industrial composting facilities and won't break down in home composting systems
- Compostable plastics should never go in recycling bins as they contaminate conventional plastic recycling
In fact, mixing compostable plastics with regular plastics can contaminate entire batches of recycling. Meanwhile, putting them in regular trash means they'll likely never receive the oxygen and microbes needed to decompose properly in landfills.
Proper Disposal of Compostable Items
Check if your municipality accepts compostable plastics in green bin programs. If not, contact the manufacturer for disposal recommendations. Some items labeled as compostable may require special drop-off locations or returning to the manufacturer.
Improving Your Recycling Habits
Now that we've debunked these common myths, here are some actionable steps to make your recycling efforts more effective:
Know Your Local Program
Recycling guidelines vary significantly across Canadian municipalities. Take time to review your local program's specific rules, which can usually be found on your city or town's website or by contacting your waste management department.
Focus on Quality Over Quantity
It's better to recycle fewer items correctly than to practice "wishful recycling" by throwing questionable items in your recycling bin. Contamination from non-recyclable items can force recycling facilities to send entire batches to landfill.
Reduce and Reuse First
Remember that recycling is the third option in the waste hierarchy after reducing and reusing. The most sustainable choice is to minimize packaging and single-use items whenever possible.
Spread Accurate Information
Share what you've learned with friends and family. Correcting recycling misconceptions helps everyone make better disposal decisions and improves the effectiveness of our recycling systems.
The Future of Recycling in Canada
Canada's recycling landscape is evolving, with several promising developments on the horizon:
- Expansion of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs across provinces
- Investment in advanced sorting technologies at recycling facilities
- Development of domestic markets for recycled materials
- Standardization of recycling symbols and labeling
- Innovative recycling solutions for previously non-recyclable materials
These advancements aim to increase recycling rates, reduce contamination, and create more circular systems where materials are continuously reused rather than discarded after a single use.
Conclusion
Recycling remains an important component of sustainable waste management, but its effectiveness depends on accurate information and proper participation. By understanding the realities behind these common myths, you can make more informed decisions about your waste and contribute to a more effective recycling system.
Remember that while recycling isn't perfect, it's still far better than sending recyclable materials to landfill. With improved awareness and practices, we can help Canada move toward a more circular economy where materials are valued and reused rather than wasted.
