How do recycling factories deal with the problem of people putting things in the wrong bins?

Question

How do recycling factories deal with the problem of people putting things in the wrong bins?

In: Other

Answer 1

It depends on the method of collection. Typically this falls into two categories either co mingled where all recyclables go into one bin or source separated where households put our materials to be collected which are already in there different boxes. Ie paper and board, cans, glass, plastic.
Typically source separated collections have a 5-7% contamination rate and co -mingled is circa 15-20% contamination rate.

The reason co mingled collections are preferred in many places is because the cost of collection is lower, the participation rates are higher and it is just so much simpler for the resident