Good intentions, bad bins: recycling mistakes fuel landfills daily
“Wishcycling” — tossing non-recyclable items into the bin in the hope they’ll be recycled — is doing more harm than good. Many well-meaning individuals, including DePaul students and Chicago residents, unknowingly contaminate recycling loads with items like greasy pizza boxes, Styrofoam, and plastic bags. This contamination can cause entire batches of recyclables to be discarded. Recycling rules vary by city and even neighborhood, creating confusion. Experts stress that personal research and local guidelines are key to proper recycling. Student groups, like DePaul’s Outdoors Club, try to educate peers, but inconsistent signage and a lack of awareness still lead to mistakes. According to the 2024 State of Recycling report, only 21% of U.S. recyclables are properly processed. To truly help the environment, recycling must be accurate and supported by reducing and reusing. Cutting back on single-use plastics and repurposing everyday items can have a significant impact — far beyond wishful recycling. There are always local resources that detail what is recyclable and what isn’t. You can usually find these on municipal websites. Learn more about this idea.
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