I feel like recycling should be easier. Why are there so many rules?

At Recyclops, we have many policies and procedures in place that are designed to increase efficiency of pickups, reduce safety risks, and to maximize the amount of items that can be recycled. We assure you, these rules are not in place to penalize you, the customer, or to make things difficult. These rules are here to help ensure that your items are actually able to be recycled instead of immediately tossed aside when they reach the sorting facility. 

Did you know that most curbside recycling programs have nearly 40-50% reported contamination rates? It's a little difficult to catch contamination with such large containers, no ability to see the items inside of them, and then dumping straight into the back of those big garbage trucks. It's almost a wonder that anything is able to be recycled with a system like that! The rules have always been there, however they have had no method or ability to be enforced. 

With Recyclops, we are happy to report that our contamination rates rest between 9 and 15% in most of our areas, with some of our areas reporting even lower rates! In fact, many MRFs quite like the amount of recycling we bring in and will report it is among the cleanest they have seen! This is all attributed to the policies and procedures we have in place to make sure what you put in your Recyclops bags actually gets recycled. 

Why can't the driver just break down the cardboard, tie the bags themselves, or pick up from my doorstep? We ask customers to flatten their cardboard, tie their bags, and place items for pickup on the curb for multiple reasons. This allows for increasing efficiency with pickup, for more items to fit in the back of driver vehicles and prevent them from flying out, and for extra safety measures for drivers during pickup. 

We understand it can take some time to adjust, especially when these rules have never been enforced in your typical curbside program. If you ever have any questions about the procedures, guidelines, or accepted items, click the attached links for more information.