How to start organics collection
Operational guidance designed to be copyable into local programs.
Key takeaways
- Quality beats quantity. Clean, dry items are more valuable and more likely to be recycled.
- Reduce contamination. When in doubt, check your program or keep it out.
- Think in systems. Collection, sorting, and end markets all matter.
Step-by-step
- Confirm local acceptance lists and special drop-off streams.
- Prepare items (empty → quick rinse if needed → dry).
- Keep items loose unless the program explicitly requires bagging.
- Separate “specials”: batteries, e-waste, chemicals, textiles.
- Measure and improve: contamination rate + capture rate.
Quality checklist
| Question | Good | Risky |
|---|---|---|
| Is it clean? | Empty + light rinse | Food-soiled or oily |
| Is it dry? | No standing liquid | Liquids leak and soak paper |
| Is it a single material? | Mono-material | Multi-layer packs, mixed laminates |
| Will it tangle machinery? | Rigid items | Bags, hoses, cords, strings |
Common pitfalls
- “Wishcycling” edge cases that raise costs and rejection rates.
- Nesting different materials together so MRFs can’t separate them.
- Letting organics contaminate fiber and plastics.
Next actions
Materials hub
Rules vary by material — don’t generalize.
Solutions
Interventions for programs, cities, and businesses.
Tags
Browse across clusters quickly.