What's Single-stream Recycling?

Single-stream Recycling is a system in which all recyclable materials—such as paper, plastics, glass, and metals—are placed together in a single bin by residents or businesses, rather than being sorted by type. This method makes recycling more convenient and often increases participation, as individuals don’t need to separate items.

Once collected, the mixed recyclables are transported to a Material Recovery Facility (MRF), where they are sorted using advanced sorting technologies, including screens, magnets, and optical scanners. While single-stream recycling simplifies collection, it can lead to higher contamination rates if non-recyclable items are mixed in, which can make processing more challenging and reduce the quality of recycled materials. Proper education on acceptable items is key to improving the effectiveness of single-stream recycling systems.