Are you tangling up the recycling system?
In the world of recycling, there is something called a tangler. A tangler is any item that can wrap around equipment at a recycling processing facility, putting both the workers and machinery at risk. Tanglers include, but are not limited to, plastic bags, plastic film, clothing, ropes, strands of lights, hoses, wires, chains, blinds, cords, and metal hangers.
Wish-Cycling
Tanglers often end up in the recycling bin through an act we call wish-cycling: the habit of tossing something into the recycling bin hoping it can be recycled — even when you're not sure.
Though the act can be well-intentioned, wish-cycling leads to many issues along the recycling process, including:
Damaging equipment and injuring recycling workers.
Slowing the recycling process and decreasing efficiency.
Increasing the cost of collecting and sorting the materials.
Decreasing the value and marketability of recyclables.
All of that is true when it comes to tanglers, which are particularly troublesome in damaging equipment and disrupting sorting systems (more on this below). For these reasons, even if a tangler is made out of recyclable material, it does NOT belong in the curbside or residential recycling bin.
Instead of wish-cycling, you can keep the recycling facility tangle-free by finding the right location to take these materials for recycling or reuse. Still not sure? Check your local guidelines!
Why are tanglers a no-no?
Think back to the last time you were unraveling tangled headphones, necklaces, or wires… remember the frustration that came up. Now consider that added to the mix are turning metal gears and machinery bigger than you.
Every day, individuals just like you who work at material recovery facilities (MRFs) spend up to eight hours removing “tanglers” from equipment. Not only does this create an unnecessary safety hazard for workers, but it also forces the MRFs to shut down, thereby wasting time and energy that could be used to successfully recover material for recycling.
How To Properly Reuse or Recycle Tanglers
Just because tanglers don’t belong in the recycling bin doesn’t mean they are destined for the landfill. Some alternative ways to reuse or recycle common tanglers include:
Bringing plastic bags and film to a local store drop box
Sending clothing to your local thrift store or drop box
Bringing chains to a scrap metal recycling facility
Each type of tangler has its own end-of-life management to consider, just like every municipality has its own recycling guidelines. Make sure you know your local guidelines and have a plan for properly disposing of tanglers so they don’t hold up the recycling process. Let’s unravel the tangler problem together by recycling right!
Learn More
For more information about tanglers, visit the Recycling Partnership.