Where Does Recycling Go?
Recyclables go to Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) where they are sorted by type (paper, plastic, metal, glass), cleaned, and baled. These bales are sold to manufacturers who process them into raw materials for new products. However, not all recyclables actually get recycled - contamination, market conditions, and lack of demand mean some end up in landfills.
Key Takeaways
- After curbside pickup, recyclables go to a MRF (Materials Recovery Facility, pronounced 'murf').
- Only about 9% of plastic ever produced has been recycled - most plastics are actually downcycled or discarded.
- Aluminum is highly valuable and efficiently recycled; glass is often not economical to recycle.
Explanation
After curbside pickup, recyclables go to a MRF (Materials Recovery Facility, pronounced 'murf'). Workers and machines sort materials using magnets (for steel), air jets (for paper), optical scanners (for plastic types), and manual sorting. Sorted materials are compressed into large bales.
Bales are sold on commodity markets to recyclers. Paper mills buy paper bales and turn them into new paper or cardboard. Aluminum is melted and remade into cans. Plastics are processed into pellets for manufacturing. Glass is crushed into cullet for new glass or construction material. Prices fluctuate based on supply and demand.
Challenges include contamination (food residue, non-recyclables in the bin), which can make entire batches unmarketable. After China stopped accepting most foreign recycling in 2018, markets struggled. Some communities now landfill recyclables due to economics. 'Wishcycling' (putting non-recyclables in the bin hoping they will be recycled) causes problems.
Things to Know
- Only about 9% of plastic ever produced has been recycled - most plastics are actually downcycled or discarded.
- Aluminum is highly valuable and efficiently recycled; glass is often not economical to recycle.
- Recycling rules vary significantly by location - check your local guidelines.