Rethinking the Blue Bin

In recent years, several challenges and controversies around recycling have emerged. A major underlying issue is the declining profitability of recycling programs in Canada, meaning that the cost of processing exceeds the market value of the materials recovered. This has led to a patchwork of regulations and infrastructure across the country that potentially exacerbates this problem.

This is particularly true of plastics. In Canada, only about 9 percent of plastic waste is actually recycled due to inefficiencies within the system and the higher cost of recycling versus producing virgin plastic. While it’s important to highlight the seriousness of the global plastic problem, statistics like this can discourage people from recycling at all.

Low plastic recycling rates are also due to the complexity of sorting the different types of plastic, as well as separating packaging made of mixed materials. Simply put, manufacturers created their own version of the recycling symbol, meaning it does not necessarily mean that the item is indeed recyclable.

This inevitably leads to “wishcycling” or tossing a non-recyclable item into the blue bin with the hope it will be recycled, which then contaminates entire streams of recyclables. Far from being a failure of the consumer, it’s actually a result of the complexity of the system as a whole.

Understanding your blue box: the best recyclables

Aluminum is one of the most energy-efficient materials to recycle. Recycling aluminum saves 95 percent of the energy required to produce new aluminum from raw materials, and nearly 75 percent of all aluminum ever produced is still in use today, according to The Aluminum Association which represents the US industry.

Paper and glass also have their own recycling benefits and challenges. Paper recycling saves trees and reduces tremendous water and energy usage, but paper can only be recycled about 5 to 7 times before the fibers become too short to be reused.

Glass is infinitely recyclable without loss of quality, especially clear glass. Unfortunately, because of its fragile nature, glass is expensive to transport and process, so reusing glass containers for as long as possible is the way to go.

But what about plastics? Despite rates of plastic recycling being low, certain types of plastics are more recyclable than others. The type of plastic is indicated by a number inside what looks like the recycling symbol, so be sure to check this along with your local collection rules.

Types 1 (PET) and 2 (HDPE) plastics, used in products such as bottles and milk jugs, are more widely recycled.

Types 3 to 7, which include PVC, LDPE, and mixed plastics, are less commonly recycled.

Where possible, avoid plastic packaging entirely by bringing your own bags and containers when shopping, or by choosing highly recyclable packaging such as aluminum, glass, and paper.

Moving toward a circular economy

Addressing ongoing issues at both the household and industrial levels will lead to more material recovery, and more sustainable consumption habits by consumers. Public awareness campaigns, as well as clear labeling on products and recycling bins, are essential to educate people about what can and cannot be recycled. Standardizing collection practices industry-wide would also help to reduce confusion for consumers and improve overall recycling rates.

Investment in recycling infrastructure is necessary for improved sorting and processing capabilities for hard-to-recycle items, such as soft plastics and mixed-material packaging. Closed-loop recycling systems, where materials are continuously recycled back into the same products, are very promising.

One example of a closed-loop recycling system, bottle deposit schemes, where consumers receive a refund for returning bottles, have proven successful in boosting recycling rates in many regions. Programs like this promote a move toward a circular economy, where products are designed for durability, reuse, and recycling rather than the landfill at end of life.

Moving toward a circular economy will also require extended producer responsibility (EPR) which would hold manufacturers responsible for the end-of-life disposal of their products. EPR regulations incentivize companies to design products that are easier to recycle and to invest in improved recycling infrastructure.

This emphasis on minimizing waste by reusing, repairing, and recovering as much material as possible is the future of recycling and sustainable living.

Each person’s contribution to recycling makes a difference, proving that small, consistent actions can lead to significant positive change for our planet. By diligently sorting and recycling materials, as well as advocating for systems change and EPR, we can build not only a more sustainable economy, but a greener future for us all.

This article was originally published in the October 2024 issue of alive magazine.