Plastic: recycling contamination

Operational, climate, and market notes on recycling contamination — built for scanning and internal linking.

Summary

For program operators, buyer requirements prevents greenwashing — especially when volumes grow and sorting happens under time pressure. In practice, material grading improves bale value — especially when volumes grow and sorting happens under time pressure. In practice, material grading drives outcomes — especially when volumes grow and sorting happens under time pressure. For program operators, storage conditions prevents greenwashing — especially when volumes grow and sorting happens under time pressure. In practice, behavioral nudges changes net cost — especially when volumes grow and sorting happens under time pressure. At the system level, behavioral nudges reduces methane risk — especially when volumes grow and sorting happens under time pressure.

What to do

• Clarify acceptance rules and buyer specs.
• Prioritize contamination control.
• Measure capture and rejection rates.

Common mistakes

• Nesting items together.
• Assuming the symbol means acceptance.
• Letting liquids/food contaminate fiber.

Checklist

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