Recycling Myth Busters

This blog is co-authored by ahs hospitality and Bunzl Australia & New Zealand , two companies that have joined forces in a supply chain partnership to advance their respective sustainability goals. Through this collaborative effort, they aim to raise awareness and debunk prevalent recycling myths.

In collaboration, ahs hospitality and Bunzl have been minimising waste through their value chains. Both businesses recognise their responsibility to be part of the solution by encouraging recycling and promoting a circular economy.

Bunzl is well-positioned to offer our customers reliable and impartial guidance on the intricate subject of recycling. The following resource was put together to shed some light on some common recycling myths.

Myth #1: You can put ‘anything’ in the recycling bin. Wouldn’t they just sort it out at the processing centre?

Busted ?: When recycling, it is better to leave it out, if in doubt. Whilst this behaviour is well-intentioned, it actually causes contamination. This affects the recycler’s ability to effectively recover those resources, leading to more materials going to landfill.

Myth #2: Plastic bags can go in the recycling bin. Can’t I put recyclables in plastic bags and other soft plastics in council recycling bin?

Busted ?: Soft plastics and plastic bags should be kept out of the council recycling bin. Soft plastics and plastic bags are not currently recycled by local councils. They can get caught in the processing machinery and can contaminate other recycling streams. Additionally, recyclables cannot be placed in recycling bin inside a plastic bag. They cannot be sorted and are manually removed with the whole bag being sent to landfill, wasting your recycling efforts.

Myth #3: Coffee cups go in the recycling bin.

Busted ?: The vast majority of councils do not accept coffee cups in kerbside recycling. Because of the thin plastic lining, often oil or plant-based, coffee cups necessitate specialised recycling equipment for the separation of the plastic and paper components to facilitate recycling. Unfortunately, Australia does not currently have the infrastructure to process coffee cups. When coffee cups are incorrectly placed in recycling bins, they can contaminate and diminish the quality of the recycling.

Myth #4: Used batteries can go in the council recycling or landfill bin.

Busted ?: Batteries don't belong in any of your kerbside bins. Batteries contain hazardous materials and can cause fires in waste collection trucks. Australia’s national product stewardship scheme for battery recycling is called B-cycle. This program has partnered with approximately 100 organisations across Australia to provide recycling drop-off points for the public.

Myth #5: Biodegradable and compostable plastic can be recycled.

Busted ?: Biodegradable and compostable plastic are NOT recyclable. Do not dispose of biodegradable or compostable packaging in your kerbside council recycling bin, as it can lead to contamination of the plastic and recycling stream. Biodegradability and compostability refer to the products ability to be broken down and therefore leave it unsuitable for recycling and reuse.?

Myth #6: All plastic with a triangle can be put in the recycle bin.

Busted ?: The triangle symbol is the plastic resin code, it is not an indication of a product’s recyclability. The Mobius Loop is the only recycling symbol, and it features in the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL). The ARL is a useful on-pack labelling scheme designed to help consumers recycle correctly. Check with your council or waste service provider on what plastics they can recycle.

Myth #7: Tissues, napkins and paper towels go in the recycling bin.

Busted ?: These items go into general landfill. Recycling isn't an option for tissues due to their composition of very short fibers, which lack the necessary quality for the recycling process. Also, if the paper has come in contact with oils or fluids they can contaminate the recycling process.

Myth #8: Kerbside commingled recycling isn’t worth the effort; it all goes in the one bin anyway.

Busted ?: General waste is taken to landfill while recycling is taken to materials recovery facilities. Recycled materials are transported to materials recovery facilities for processing, with the goal of transforming them into new products. When individuals mistakenly place inappropriate items in the recycling bin, there is a potential for contaminating the entire load. If the contamination level becomes excessive, none of the materials can be recycled. This is why it's important to recycle correctly.

Myth #9: If it doesn’t go in the co-mingled recycling bins, it’s not recyclable.

Busted ?: Actually, most materials are recyclable in the right environments. For example, electronic waste (or e-waste) is an important recycling priority despite it typically not being included in curbside or standard commercial collections. However, there are service providers available in most regions making it accessible, just like other recyclable materials that do not belong in the co-mingled recycling bins.

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We understand that progress take time. ahs hospitality and Bunzl are here to support you in every step of your sustainability journey and will work together to ensure your product range meets your sustainability objectives.

Contact one of our sustainability experts today:

[email protected]

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