Contaminated Recycling – How to recycle right

Do you know how to recycle right? Every time we put a coffee cup or a plastic carton into our recycling bin, we assume we’re doing the right thing. However, a recent survey by Repak, highlighted by the Irish Examiner, reveals a startling reality: nearly a quarter of Irish households are putting the wrong waste in their recycling bins. Did you know that a single contaminated item—like greasy pizza boxes or unwashed containers—can spoil an entire bin, causing it to be rejected and sent to incineration.

The Scale of the Problem

The survey indicates that 33% of people don’t realise the importance of keeping recyclables clean, dry, and loose. Food residue, wet paper, and mixed materials (like plastic wrappers still stuck to cardboard) are the biggest offenders. This contamination doesn’t just affect individual bins—it has a knock-on effect on entire recycling loads, devaluing the circular economy.

Why Contamination Matters

Recycling facilities rely on clean, sorted waste streams. When contaminated waste enters the system:

• Recyclables are rejected: Dirty or wet items can ruin high-quality recyclable materials.
• Increased landfill use: Rejected materials are often sent straight to landfill.
• Higher processing costs: Sorting and cleaning contaminated loads uses more resources.
• Environmental impact: More waste to incineration means more emissions and wasted potential.

How You Can Help: Tips to recycle right

Luckily, small changes at home can make a huge difference. Here’s how to recycle right:

1. Clean

• Rinse containers to remove food residue.
• Scrape off excess sauce, liquids, or grease before recycling.

2. Dry

• Wet paper or cardboard becomes unusable.
• Make sure items are completely dry before placing them in the bin.

3. Loose

• Don’t bag recyclables—put them loose in the bin.
• Plastic bags themselves are not recyclable in the household bin!

4. Know What’s Accepted

• Check this recycling guide.
• Read recycling labels at the back of packs to know if it can be recycled.

5. Avoid ‘Wishcycling’

• Don’t guess—if you’re unsure whether something is recyclable, find out rather than contaminating the bin.

Read the full article here: Irish Examiner