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Scroll down for more information about us, and explore some of the icons above to access resources, citations, and more information on battling recycling contamination
Right Recycle is a local non-profit whose aim it is to reduce recycling contamination. We operate in Oakland County, Michigan, and work at the local level, educating citizens on how to properly recycle. We work with local officials and people in high places to really make change happen, and we hope to set an example for the rest of the nation. We appreciate all those who take time to participate in good recycling, and we believe that without the people taking part in our solution to a cleaner future, nothing would ever change.
Recycling contamination is when objects that aren't supposed to be recycled are, in fact, recycled. This can cause a reduction in efficiency, and can decrease the valuation of the finished sorted materials that comes out of the recycling process. It can also cause recyclable waste to get uneccesarily removed from the recycling stream... uh-oh!
Paper collection heap at a local MRF
Contamination in the US now rests at about 25%, depending on where one lives. This means that out of every 4 pounds of recycling the community generates, 1 pound is automatically discarded as it isn't recyclable in the first place.
Recycling contamination costs the US over 3.6 billion dollars anually. The effect of this cost is massive: if we can reduce the cost of recycling contamination by just 50% nationwide, we could save roughtly 20 dollars per person: an investment that is sustainable!
1.2 billion dollars - Labor and Effort Cost
1.1 billion dollars - Reduced Material Value.
800 million dollars - Landfilling Costs
500 million dollars - Equipment Damage
100 million dollars - Fire and Safety/other
Total: 3.5 billion dollars total
(Ecorithims, “Recycling Contamination: Cost, Impact, and Fixes,” 2025 )
Our goal is to reduce recycling contamination in the Oakland Township area. Here are our more specific goals:
Reduce recycling contamination by at least 20% in the area
Spread awarness about recycling contamination and proper recycling
Work with communities to curb contamination at the source
Make sorting more efficient by working with large scale MRFs to mechanize sorting
Promote research into ways to reduce recycling contamination
Work with communities to introduce bin inspections to persuade residents to properly recycle
WE HAVE NO ACTIVITIES PLANNED, SO PLEASE KEEP POSTED FOR MORE INFORMATION!
We started out just as an idea, in the mind of a 6th grader participating in the National Civics Bee. In an essay, he detailed how our community could be a better place if we all recycled properly. After the competition, our journey continued as a passionate endeavor to make the world a better place, and here we are today.
Plastic collection heap at a local MRF
There are many contaminants in our recycling stream as of today, but the most common ones that people get wrong are:
Tanglers: Wires, cords, ropes, as well as any form of thin bags, such as plastic bags.
Electrical Objects: Batteries, computers, and other machines and electric based items
Large Items: Large boxes should be flattened or cut up, and other non-divisible items should be taken into a specialty collection center/event, (furniture, etc.)
Medical Waste: Biowaste, contaminated syringes or surgical equipment, waste, fluid, or packages should not be recycled, as they can contaminate other recyclables and potentially harm the workers.
Chemicals: dangerous chemicals and explosives should not be recycled. They should be taken into specialty collection centers/events.
Sharps: Sharp objects, such as needles or knives, can harm workers. Recycle them separately at specialty collection centers/events
Don't bag your recycling! Bagging recycling causes the recycling to get caught in machines and makes it difficult to sort the contents inside. Most of the time, bagged packages of recycling have to be hand-separated, and some get landfilled!
Assorted Paper Recycling at a local MRF
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