We've all done it. You're standing at your recycling bin, holding an item you're not quite sure about. "It looks recyclable," you think. "I'll just put it in the blue cart and hope someone at the facility will sort it out." This practice is called wishcycling, and while it comes from good intentions, it's actually creating serious problems for Abbotsford's recycling system.
What is Wishcycling?
Wishcycling is when people put items in their recycling cart hoping they are accepted for recycling, or that someone will put the item in the right place after it is picked up by the City. The term combines "wish" and "recycling" because people are essentially wishing that questionable items will somehow get recycled.
Common examples of wishcycled items in Abbotsford include:
- Plastic bags and soft plastics
- Styrofoam and packaging materials
- Electronics and batteries
- Food-contaminated containers
- Clothing and textiles
- Garden hoses and ropes
- Hazardous materials like paint cans
- Broken glass or ceramics
The Real Cost of Wishcycling
While wishcycling might seem harmless, it creates significant problems for our waste management system and community:
1. Contamination of Recyclables
When non-recyclable items get mixed with actual recyclables, they contaminate entire batches of materials. A single greasy pizza box or plastic bag can ruin hundreds of pounds of otherwise good recyclables. This contamination means more material ends up in the landfill instead of being recycled.
2. Increased Processing Costs
Contaminated loads require extra sorting, cleaning, or may be rejected entirely by recycling facilities. The City of Abbotsford and Recycle BC must bear these additional costs, which ultimately comes from taxpayer dollars and program fees. It can be extremely costly to transport, sort, and dispose of materials incorrectly placed in recycling.
3. Equipment Damage and Safety Hazards
Items like plastic bags, ropes, and garden hoses can jam sorting machinery, causing expensive downtime and repairs. Batteries and electronics can even cause fires at recycling facilities, putting workers at risk and destroying valuable equipment.
4. More to Landfill
Too much of the wrong things being placed in the wrong cart results in more material going to landfill. When contamination rates are too high, entire truckloads of recycling can be rejected and sent to the landfill instead. This undermines Abbotsford's waste diversion goals and environmental efforts.
How to Avoid Wishcycling
The solution to wishcycling is simple: when in doubt, leave it out! Here are some practical steps to ensure you're recycling right:
Use the Waste Wizard
Before tossing something in your blue cart, use Abbotsford's Waste Wizard tool to search for the item. This free online tool tells you exactly where each item should go, whether it's your blue cart, green cart, black cart, glass bin, or a special depot.
Follow the Three Rules for Blue Cart Recycling
- Empty: All containers must be completely empty of contents
- Clean: Rinse out food residue (doesn't need to be spotless, just free of food)
- Dry: Keep your recyclables dry to maintain quality
Know What's NOT Accepted
Never put these items in your blue recycling cart:
- Plastic bags or any soft, flexible plastics
- Glass (use your separate glass bin instead)
- Food waste or food-soiled paper (use green cart)
- Electronics or batteries (take to depot)
- Styrofoam or foam packaging
- Hazardous materials
Use EPR Programs
Many items that don't belong in your carts have free Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs:
- Electronics and small appliances
- Batteries of all types
- Paint and aerosols
- Light bulbs and fixtures
- Mattresses and furniture
Find depot locations and EPR program details on our website.
When in Doubt, Leave It Out
This simple motto is the key to preventing wishcycling. If you're not certain an item is recyclable in your blue cart, it's better to put it in your black cart (garbage) or look up the proper disposal method rather than contaminating your recycling.
Remember: Quality matters more than quantity when it comes to recycling. A smaller amount of clean, properly sorted recyclables is far more valuable than a large amount of contaminated material.
Help Abbotsford Reach Our Goals
Abbotsford is working toward a 75% waste diversion goal. Every resident who takes the time to recycle correctly helps us get closer to that target. By avoiding wishcycling and following proper sorting guidelines, you're not just helping the environment—you're also helping keep program costs down and ensuring that your recyclables actually get recycled.
The next time you're tempted to toss something questionable into your blue cart, take a moment to look it up. Your small effort makes a big difference in keeping Abbotsford's recycling system working efficiently and effectively.