What is wishcycling? It is when you toss something into the recycling bin hoping it can be recycled, without knowing for sure. It feels helpful. It often does the opposite.
One wrong item can spoil a load
The US EPA says non-recyclable items can contaminate a whole load of recyclables, causing them all to be thrown out.
The EPA’s national recycling strategy uses the word wishcycling directly and warns it can cause an entire batch to be tossed.
Why people do it
The EPA says confusion over what is recyclable leads to recyclables in the trash and trash in recycling bins. Different towns accept different things, which makes it harder.
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How to stop wishcycling
Learn your local list and post it near your bins.
When you are not sure, the EPA’s advice is to leave it out of the recycling bin.
The fine print
Local rules vary. What one town rejects, another may accept, so your city’s list always wins.
Why it matters
Recycling only works when the materials are clean and sorted. Skipping the guesswork protects everything else in the bin.
Try it yourself
Think you know your bins? Play Sort It Right, our free recycling game, and see how many of 12 everyday items you can sort before the clock runs out.
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Submit your companySources: US EPA recycling FAQ, US EPA National Recycling Strategy FAQ, US EPA on the US recycling system.
Key takeaways on what is wishcycling
Here is the short version on what is wishcycling. The US EPA says non-recyclable items can contaminate a whole load of recyclables, causing them all to be thrown out. The EPA’s national recycling strategy uses the word wishcycling directly and warns it can cause an entire batch to be tossed. The EPA says confusion over what is recyclable leads to recyclables in the trash and trash in recycling bins. Learn your local list and post it near your bins. When you are not sure, the EPA’s advice is to leave it out of the recycling bin. Local rules vary. Recycling only works when the materials are clean and sorted. Think you know your bins?
Use these points on what is wishcycling as a starting point, check the numbers against your own home or business, and share what you learn with someone who can use it.
