Good intentions lead to curbside wish-cycling

Disposable coffee cups look like they can be recycled, don’t they? They’re made of paper; they’re easy to rinse. After finishing a beverage from our favorite java haunts, many of us toss those cups into our home or office recycling bin, feeling a sense of satisfaction for doing our small part for the environment.

Unfortunately, those coffee cups contain a plastic liner that makes them unable to be recycled.

Recycling advocates have coined the term wish-cycling in reference to the act of placing an item in a recycling bin that we hope will be recycled even if we suspect it will not be.

We’ve all done it. But, despite our best intentions, wish-cycling does more harm than good.

Most recycling centers use complex machines that are designed to separate plastics, paper, aluminum, and other materials. Unfamiliar items — like plastic bags, wire hoses and clothing — can jam up or damage the machine, costing time and money.

In November, SWACO conducted a public-opinion survey of 600 Franklin County residents through EMC Research. This is the first public-opinion poll to provide detailed and statistically correct information about attitudes toward recycling in our community.

We learned that our community largely is one that cares deeply about the environment and is committed to recycling.

We also learned that there is probably a lot of wishcycling taking place.

Approximately 93 percent of respondents view recycling as a point of pride in their community, and 90 percent said that they recycle for altruistic reasons such as protecting the environment, keeping waste out of the landfill or conserving resources. These positive motivators for recycling might contribute to many residents trying to recycle items that should be put in the trash.

Almost half of the respondents to our poll acknowledged confusion about what materials can be recycled. Among the items respondents said they believe can be put in the recycling bin are plastic tubs like those used for butter or yogurt (66 percent), ice-cream cartons (57 percent) and plastic shopping bags (39 percent).

I wish all of these items could be recycled through our community’s curbside programs. But because they cannot be processed by the equipment at the recycling center, or there is not currently a viable market for these items, none of them is currently accepted in Franklin County’s curbside recycling program.

This year, SWACO is taking on the confusion that leads to counterproductive wish-cycling. We’re piloting our Recycle Right campaign in Grove City, Jackson Township and the Village of Urbancrest, providing residents with simple guidance about what can be recycled at the curb in Franklin County.

Paper, flattened cardboard, plastic bottles and jugs, glass bottles and jars, metal cans and cartons all can be placed in curbside recycling bins. Plastic bags, coffee cups, yogurt cups, plastic or foam food containers, hoses, wires or chains all must be kept out.

That doesn’t mean all of these items need to go into the landfill. Plastic bags can be recycled at more than 100 Franklin County retail locations available at www.swaco.org/BringMeBack. Yogurt containers are accepted at Whole Foods. As for those coffee cups, remember to bring a reusable travel mug and you’ll be on your way to reducing your waste.

I love this community’s passion for recycling, including the reluctance of many of our residents to throw anything in a wastebasket. Beyond recycling, there are many other responsible alternatives to adding waste to the landfill, including reuse, donations and composting.

With increased education and awareness, SWACO will promote all these options — and make wish-cycling a thing of the past.