What Are the Most Common Myths About Garbage Collection?
Garbage collection is a service everyone uses but few fully understand. Because it happens out of sight, many misconceptions have grown around what happens after the bins hit the curb.
From assumptions about recycling processes to confusion about how waste is handled, these myths often lead to poor disposal habits and contaminated loads. Some people believe everything they toss in the recycling bin gets recycled. Others think all trash is sorted by hand. These kinds of misunderstandings don’t just affect individual households—they disrupt the entire waste management system.
In this article, we’re addressing the most common myths about garbage collection to help clarify how waste is truly managed. We'll cover whether everything in your recycling bin gets reused, if sanitation workers sort trash manually, what happens to plastic bags, and whether burning garbage is legal or safe. Each section below presents facts based on real-world practices, helping you make informed, cleaner disposal choices that benefit both your home and the broader community.
Not Everything in Your Recycling Bin Gets Recycled
One of the most widespread myths is that every item placed in the recycling bin is successfully recycled. In reality, contamination is a major barrier. Items that are not clean, improperly sorted, or made of non-recyclable materials can render entire batches of recycling unusable. Common contaminants include greasy pizza boxes, plastic bags, food residue, and mixed materials like laminated packaging. When contaminated materials enter the recycling stream, facilities are forced to divert these loads to landfills, wasting valuable resources and time.
Recycling centers operate on strict guidelines that differ from location to location. In places like Plymouth County, where Van’s Sanitation provides residential services, these rules are clearly outlined and reinforced through education efforts. Despite this, well-meaning residents still place the wrong materials in the bin. Wishcycling—the act of placing questionable items in the recycling in the hope that they will be recycled—is a frequent culprit. Materials like plastic utensils, Styrofoam, and certain types of film plastics fall into this trap.
Understanding what can and cannot be recycled helps ensure that valid items are actually processed. For local guidelines, residents should always check with their provider. At Van’s Sanitation, detailed lists of accepted recyclables are readily available, helping customers minimize contamination and maximize the effectiveness of garbage collection.
No, Sanitation Workers Don’t Manually Sort Your Trash
Another persistent myth is that sanitation workers dig through garbage manually to find recyclable or hazardous items. This is not only false—it’s dangerous. Waste collection staff operate under strict safety protocols and use automated equipment for most tasks. Manual sorting occurs only at designated material recovery facilities (MRFs), and even then, it's aided by machines like optical sorters, magnets, and air jets that help separate materials efficiently. Workers are trained to handle specific tasks, but never sift through general household waste curbside.
This misconception likely stems from outdated views or isolated cases where workers may have addressed a highly contaminated load. In normal operations, mixed waste is loaded into trucks using mechanical arms and compacted before reaching its destination. The idea that human hands go through every bag is not only inaccurate—it underestimates the role of modern sorting technologies and puts undue risk on waste professionals.
Plastic Bags Cannot Be Recycled Curbside
Many people assume plastic bags are recyclable in their curbside bins, but this is incorrect. While most plastic bags are technically recyclable, they require special handling that standard recycling facilities are not equipped to provide. When plastic bags enter curbside recycling, they frequently tangle in the machinery at MRFs, causing equipment downtime, safety hazards, and increased maintenance costs. Because of this, most recycling programs explicitly instruct residents to keep plastic bags out of their curbside bins.
The proper method for recycling plastic bags is to return them to designated drop-off locations, usually found at grocery or retail stores. These collection points are equipped to handle soft plastics and ensure they are processed correctly. Local programs often collaborate with regional partners to handle film plastics responsibly through specialized vendors who can process them into reusable materials.
Burning Household Trash is Unsafe and Often Illegal
Burning trash may seem like a convenient way to dispose of waste, but it poses serious health and environmental risks and is often illegal. Open burning releases toxic pollutants into the air, including dioxins, carbon monoxide, and heavy metals. These emissions can cause respiratory problems and contribute to smog and acid rain. Even backyard burning of common household items like plastic containers or treated wood is harmful and prohibited in many jurisdictions.
In areas like Plymouth County, state and local ordinances strictly regulate or outright ban the burning of household waste. Enforcement varies, but the public health implications remain the same. Burning trash near homes can also lead to accidental fires, property damage, and legal penalties. In contrast, licensed disposal facilities are designed to safely manage and process waste using containment and filtration technologies that comply with environmental regulations.
Yes, Rinsing Recyclables Does Matter
Another common misunderstanding is that recyclables don’t need to be cleaned before being placed in the bin. While they don’t need to be sterilized, a quick rinse to remove food or liquid residue is crucial. Leftover food can attract pests, create odors, and contaminate otherwise clean materials. When contamination is too high, recycling centers may send entire batches to the landfill, negating recycling efforts entirely.
Most modern recycling systems can tolerate minor traces of residue, but items like peanut butter jars, pizza boxes with grease, and unwashed containers can pose problems. A simple rinse or wipe can significantly improve the recyclability of an item. This is especially important in single-stream recycling systems, where all materials are collected in one bin and sorted later. Cleaner input means higher recovery rates and lower processing costs.
Van's Sanitation Supports Better Waste Management in Le Mars, Iowa
Understanding the realities behind garbage collection myths empowers residents to take smarter actions and reduce contamination. Van's Sanitation brings decades of experience to residential and commercial waste services across Plymouth County. From outlining clear recycling rules to offering specialty pickups and safe disposal alternatives, we provide the tools necessary for efficient and legal waste management.
To learn more about how to improve your waste practices or ask specific questions, contact us online or call 712-548-4644. Our team is ready to help you meet your waste and recycling goals safely and efficiently!