Recycling Primer

Recycling Primer

We've been committed to offering responsible packaging since day one - creating refillable products that are recyclable, don't contain hidden microplastics, and are designed to be used forever.

The Reality of Recycling

But here's the reality: recycling in the US isn't working like it should. Only 32% of waste gets recycled or composted, and contamination is the biggest problem. One in four items in recycling bins is contaminated, which can send entire truckloads to landfills instead. When people put the wrong things in recycling - like pizza boxes with grease or plastic bags - it messes up the whole batch.

The rules change from town to town, which makes it confusing for everyone. About 76% of recyclables get lost at the household level because people either don't have access to recycling or don't know what's actually recyclable in their area. Only 73% of US households even have recycling access, and multifamily homes get the worst deal - only 37% have access compared to 85% of single-family homes.

Contamination has forced hundreds of recycling facilities to close, making it harder for everyone to recycle properly. It's a fixable problem, but it requires everyone to follow their local rules.

What Works Well

While there are complications with curbside recycling, other types of recycling work much better. Responsibly recycling products like appliances, electronics, batteries, and even clothing can make a real difference. It takes some extra effort to properly dispose of these things, but the resources are there and your efforts work.

How to Recycle Without Contaminating

The biggest thing you can do is clean everything and follow your local rules. Here's what helps:

Clean containers properly:

  • Rinse bottles, jars, and food containers until they're actually clean
  • No need to sterilize them, just get the food residue off
  • Let them dry before putting them in the bin

Handle packaging the right way:

  • Remove caps from bottles and recycle them separately (check if your area takes caps)
  • Cut plastic spouts out of pouches - the spout goes in some (but not all) plastic recycling or trash, clean pouch film is recyclable with plastic bags (collection bins at most big box stores and supermarkets)
  • Take labels off if they peel easily, but don't stress about stubborn ones
  • Break down boxes flat and remove plastic tape

Know what doesn't belong:

  • Plastic bags go to grocery store drop-offs, not curbside bins
  • Greasy pizza boxes go in compost or trash (clean parts can be recycled)
  • Anything smaller than a credit card usually can't be sorted properly
  • "Compostable" plastic still goes in trash unless you compost at home. It still uses a lot of plastic and converts into microplastics that contaminate industrial compost

Check your local rules because every area is different. What gets recycled in one town might be trash in the next. When in doubt, throw it out - one contaminated item can ruin a whole truck load.

Our Approach

One of Common Good's core missions is to offer responsible, refillable packaging. We understand our duty not only as a company, but as humans to offer products that will have the least impact on the environment. One way we focus our sustainability efforts is by offering "forever" products meant for refilling so you don't need to recycle whenever possible. We also developed our Closed Loop Program, which takes empty refill liners back from consumers and retailers, cleans and refills them with product, and then sells them again. These efforts make a meaningful difference by eliminating waste and promoting better alternatives.

There are lots of things you can do every day to lessen your personal impact. These suggestions are just a start! We're here for you in your efforts to live responsibly and sustainably. The Earth appreciates it.

Sources & Further Reading Links:

Government Resources

EPA Facts and Figures on Materials, Waste and Recycling
https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling
The official government data on US recycling rates, waste generation, and materials management

How Do I Recycle?: Common Recyclables (EPA)
https://www.epa.gov/recycle/how-do-i-recycle-common-recyclables
Official EPA guide on what can and can't be recycled

US Recycling Infrastructure Assessment (EPA 2024)
https://www.epa.gov/smm/us-recycling-infrastructure-assessment-and-state-data-collection-reports
Recent comprehensive analysis of America's recycling system and needed investments

Research Reports

2024 State of Recycling Report (The Recycling Partnership)
https://recyclingpartnership.org/residential-recycling-report/
Data showing only 21% of recyclables are captured, with analysis of why recycling fails

74 Recycling Facts & Statistics for 2025 (RTS)
https://www.rts.com/blog/recycling-facts-statistics/
Current recycling statistics by material type and contamination rates

Specialty Recycling Resources

Appliance Recycling Guide (Rubicon)
https://www.rubicon.com/blog/appliance-recycling/
How to properly dispose of large appliances

Electronics Recycling (Consumer Reports)
https://www.consumerreports.org/recycling/how-to-recycle-electronics-a7432818850/
Guide to recycling phones, computers, and other electronics

Used Household Batteries (EPA)
https://www.epa.gov/recycle/used-household-batteries
Official EPA guidance on battery disposal and recycling

Clothing Recycling Guide (Earth911)
https://earth911.com/recycling-guide/how-to-recycle-clothing-accessories/
Options for recycling and donating textiles

Industry Analysis

Recycling Contamination Explained (RTS)
https://www.rts.com/blog/what-is-recycling-contamination-and-how-you-can-help/
Detailed explanation of contamination issues and solutions

America's Broken Recycling System (UC Berkeley)
https://cmr.berkeley.edu/2023/05/america-s-broken-recycling-system/
Academic analysis of recycling system failures and potential fixes

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