My Top 3 is a weekly post where I count down three things I love in a random category. This week, we’re looking at my top three recycling tips.

Wishcycling is when we put items in our recycling bins with the hope that they will be recycled. The intention is positive, but wishcycling does more harm than good. When non-recyclable items enter the recycling stream, they can contaminate otherwise recyclable materials, rendering entire batches unusable. This not only increases the costs associated with recycling but also undermines the overall efficiency of the process. When loads are too contaminated, the entire batch is diverted to a landfill.

To combat wishcyling, it’s important to know what can and cannot be recycled. I follow a great sustainability expert on X. Charlotte Dreizen has taught me more than I ever thought possible about being a better recycler. Some tips save me time. Such as: you don’t need to wash your detergent jugs! The soap actually helps the recycling process. Other tips make me sad. Turns out, most glass on the East Coast is not recycled. We only have a few plants. Instead, it’s crushed and used as landfill alternate daily cover to reduce methane emissions.

What is accepted for recycling is highly dependent on your area. I tried to share the most basic tips. But you should check with your municipality or provider for complete details. When it comes to recycling, the number one thing to remember is to keep the stream clean. If you’re unsure if an item is recyclable or not, toss it. When in doubt, throw it out!

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