Commingled recycling means putting multiple locally accepted recyclable materials together in one collection container. Also called single-stream recycling, it moves the sorting work from households to a materials recovery facility (MRF). The key rule is simple: put in only what your local collection program accepts, because commingled does not mean every recyclable material belongs in the same bin.
How commingled recycling works
At home, residents separate accepted recyclables from trash but do not sort each accepted material into its own bin. The hauler takes the mixed load to a materials recovery facility, where equipment and, in some facilities, workers sort it by material type. Sorted materials may then be processed further and marketed for manufacturing. Recycling therefore continues well beyond curbside pickup.
The exact equipment and downstream handling depend on the facility and collection system. Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection describes single-stream recycling and how it is handled in its Single Stream FAQ; New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection also outlines recycling resources and processing in its Recycling Resources.
What belongs in your recycling bin?
Use the current accepted-material list from the city, hauler, or other provider that collects your recycling. Acceptance varies by local program and facility, so an item that is recyclable somewhere may not be accepted in your bin.
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- Do not rely on a plastic resin code or recycling symbol alone. It identifies information about the material, not whether your local program collects it.
- Check glass rules locally. Some programs accept glass in commingled recycling and others do not.
- Look for separate drop-off instructions. Some materials have a dedicated collection route rather than a place in the curbside or shared commingled bin.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency advises residents to check local provider rules, including for plastics and glass, in its Frequent Questions on Recycling.
How to reduce contamination
Contamination includes non-recyclable items as well as recyclable items that are dirty or unsuitable for a particular recycling stream. It can reduce the usefulness of collected material, interfere with sorting, and create safety concerns. Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality explains these issues for its programs in Reducing Contamination in Recycling.
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- Empty liquids. Leftover drinks can spill onto paper and other materials.
- Keep food and oil residue out. Food, liquids, and oil can contaminate other items; follow local instructions for preparing containers.
- Keep plastic bags and flexible film out unless your program explicitly accepts them. Bags and films can tangle in equipment or otherwise interfere with sorting.
- Keep unsuitable chemicals and other problem items out. Contaminants can affect materials and may pose hazards to workers.
Commingled, dual-stream, and source-separated collection
These terms describe how early in the recycling process materials are separated. In a commingled or single-stream system, accepted paper and containers are collected together. In dual-stream collection, paper and containers are collected separately. Source-separated systems divide materials earlier still.
| Collection approach | What residents separate | Where sorting happens | Tradeoff to consider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commingled (single stream) | Accepted recyclables go together in one container; trash stays separate. | At the MRF after collection. | Convenient for residents, but mixed material can bring quality or recovery tradeoffs. Outcomes depend on the local collection and processing system. |
| Dual stream | Paper and containers are collected separately. | Some separation happens before collection; further sorting and processing happen downstream. | Requires residents and collection systems to keep streams apart. |
| Source separated | Materials are divided into separate categories earlier in the process. | More sorting occurs at the source, with downstream processing still required. | Can require more sorting effort before pickup. |
The U.S. General Services Administration describes commingled collection as convenient because it shifts separation work from occupants to the MRF, while noting potential lower market value and lower recovery after collection due to material quality. Those are possible tradeoffs, not guaranteed results for every community or facility. See its Solid waste guidance.
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Quick checklist before you recycle
- Find the latest accepted-material list from the provider that collects your recycling.
- Check whether the program has special rules for glass, plastics, or materials that need a separate drop-off.
- Empty liquids and keep food residue, oil, and other contaminants out according to local instructions.
- Leave bags and flexible film out unless the provider specifically says to include them.
- When an item is not listed or the instructions are unclear, ask the provider rather than guessing from its appearance or recycling symbol.
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