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ARE YOU A RECYCLER OR ‘WISH-CYCLER’?

SUSTAINABILITY EXPERT ON TIPS FOR TIGHTENING UP YOUR RECYCLING GAME

JEREMY WALTERS

Sustainability Ambassador, Republic Services
 

Should I? Shouldn’t I? If you’re asking yourself these questions as you toss something in your recycling bin, you might be an aspirational recycler. This happens when you aren’t quite sure if something is recyclable, yet you still place that item in your recycling container hoping that it will be recycled or reused.  “Wish-cycling” is detrimental because it puts a lot of items in the recycling stream that do not belong there. It can contaminate perfectly good recyclables and damage the equipment in recycling facilities. Aspirational recyclers generally have good intentions, however knowing the basic rules of recycling can ensure those good intentions don’t go to ‘waste.’
Jeremy Walters, sustainability ambassador at Republic Services, an industry leader in U.S. recycling and non-hazardous solid waste disposal, is available to help listeners find out if their recycling habits are more wishful than purposeful and provide tips on how to make recycling simple.

Think you may be an aspirational recycler? Here are some signs:
⦁ You’re not sure if something is recyclable, but you hope it is. When in doubt, throw it out!
⦁ You recycle more than cardboard, paper, metal cans and plastic. Keep it simple and focus on items like water bottles, milk jugs, aluminum cans, and clean and dry paper and cardboard.
⦁ You confuse “recycle” with “reuse.” Your old clothing, tools and appliances can have new life, but not if you put them in your recycling container. Donate these items for reuse to a local charity.

For more information please visit: www.recyclingsimplified.com  
 

MORE ABOUT JEREMY WALTERS:
Jeremy Walters serves as a sustainability ambassador for Republic Services, an industry leader in U.S. recycling and non-hazardous waste. Jeremy helps to develop and execute recycling education programs and serves as a spokesperson for Republic’s nationwide “Recycling Simplified” education campaign. He joined Republic in May 2016 and is originally from southern California. He has a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies with a minor in solar and renewable energy.