The Most Common Recycling Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

Recycling in the Butte-Silver Bow area often becomes less effective when locals place the wrong items in bins or mishandle recyclable materials. These missteps create contamination, undermining local recycling programs and reducing the community’s sustainability efforts. Residents and businesses benefit from learning how to recycle more effectively, and small changes in daily habits can lead to a cleaner, more efficient system.

Why Proper Recycling Matters

When recycling bins are filled with incorrect or contaminated materials, entire loads can be sent to landfills instead of being repurposed. This not only wastes resources but also increases processing costs and energy use. Recycling is a system that works only when everyone follows guidelines. The community can make the process more efficient, reduce waste, and create a cleaner, greener Butte-Silver Bow by learning how to avoid common mistakes.

Mistake #1: Placing Non-Recyclable Items in Bins

Tossing plastic bags, Styrofoam, or food-soiled containers into recycling bins is a common mistake that can cause equipment jams, contamination, and spoiled materials. Following local guidelines and leaving questionable items out helps prevent these issues and ensures more recyclables get a true second life.

Mistake #2: Tossing Contaminated Materials in the Bin

Contamination occurs when non-recyclable or dirty items—like greasy pizza boxes, food-soiled containers, or bottles with liquid—are mixed in with recyclables, making the entire load unusable. A quick rinse and proper drying of jars, cans, and bottles, as well as keeping heavily soiled items out, help prevent this problem. Clean bins mean more materials can be recycled instead of sent to landfills.

Mistake #3: Skipping the Clean-Up

Cleaning the most common recycled materials—such as glass, aluminum, plastic, paper, and cartons—helps keep them usable and prevents entire loads from being discarded. Food or liquid in jars, cans, and bottles can contaminate paper and cardboard, making batches unfit for processing. Most common recyclable items only need a quick rinse, with jars, cans, and bottles emptied, rinsed, and dried to avoid dampening paper products. Clean recyclables give more materials a second life.

Quick Cleaning Checklist for Recyclables

• Aluminum Cans – Rinse and crush to save space.

• Plastic Containers – Remove food, rinse, and dry.

• Paper and Cardboard – Keep clean and dry; discard greasy or soiled items.

• Cartons – Empty, rinse lightly, and flatten.

  
  

Recycling Dos and Don'ts for Better Practices

Following simple dos and don’ts can make a big difference in keeping recycling loads clean and effective. These habits help our community get the most out of our recycling efforts.

Recycling Dos

1. Sort Smart: Follow local guidelines for separating materials and check the McGree Trucking website if unsure.

2. Flatten Cardboard: Break down boxes to save space and improve efficiency.

3. Use Clear Bags for Extras: Place overflow in clear bags so crews can quickly identify recyclables.

Recycling Don'ts

1. Ditch the Plastic Bags: Never bag recyclables in plastic, as they jam machinery.

2. Keep Hazardous Waste Out: Dispose of batteries, electronics, and similar items through proper channels.

3. Avoid "Wishcycling": If you’re unsure if an item is recyclable, leave it out.

   
   

How Recycling Mistakes Affect Our Community

Recycling mistakes create ripple effects, with contaminated loads often rejected and sent to landfills. This increases processing costs, raising service fees for Butte-Silver Bow residents and businesses. Recycling correctly keeps local programs efficient and helps build a cleaner, healthier environment for the entire community.

McGree Trucking: Your Local Recycling Partner

McGree Trucking is dedicated to keeping Butte-Silver Bow clean and green with efficient waste management solutions. We provide dumpster rentals in sizes from 65-gallon carts to 4 yards to 30 yards, serving both residential and commercial needs.Whether you need routine trash pickup or tailored recycling services, our team is ready to help.

Building Better Recycling Habits Together

Avoiding common recycling mistakes helps protect the efficiency of local programs, reduce unnecessary waste, and support long-term sustainability in Butte-Silver Bow. Small steps—like keeping bins free of contaminants, rinsing containers, and following local guidelines—make a lasting difference for both residents and businesses.

Recycling correctly gives more materials a true second life and allows the community to benefit from a cleaner, more cost-effective system. McGree Trucking is proud to provide dumpster rentals, trash collection, and recycling services to keep these efforts moving forward.

Contact McGree Trucking for reliable recycling and waste management solutions. Visit our website or call (406) 723-3728 for more information.

Image credit: // Shutterstock // LightField Studios