unrecyclables
Cannot be reprocessed
Unrecyclables are materials that cannot be processed through recycling systems, either because of their composition or because local facilities lack the capability to handle them.
Common unrecyclables include certain plastics, contaminated food containers, and mixed-material packaging.
The term often appears in waste management contexts where sorting is required: Please place unrecyclables in the gray bin.
What qualifies as unrecyclable varies by municipality, since recycling infrastructure differs widely.
Expanded plastic foam material
- ceramicsHardened clay objects
- mirrorsReflective glass surfaces
- diapersInfant waste garments
- strawsHollow tubes for drinking
balloons · silicones · polystyrene · vinyl · PVC
Burning waste to ash
- landfillingBurying waste in earth
- waste-to-energyGenerating power from garbage
- pyrolysisHeat-driven molecular breakdown
- gasificationConverting carbon materials to vapor
combustion · incinerator · compaction · leachate · liner · cell · contamination
Introduction of impurities
- toxinsHarmful biological substances
- microplasticsSub-5mm synthetic environmental particles
- leachingDissolving out by liquid
- groundwaterWater in underground rock
bioaccumulation · litter · non-biodegradable · decomposition · centuries · accumulation · entanglement
Excessive use of resources
- lifecycleStages from beginning to end
- downcyclingRecycling that lowers material value
- policyAdopted principle of action
- regulationOfficial rules governing conduct
styrofoam
Expanded plastic foam material
incineration
Burning waste to ash
- landfillingBurying waste in earth
- waste-to-energyGenerating power from garbage
- pyrolysisHeat-driven molecular breakdown
gasification · combustion · incinerator · compaction · leachate · liner · cell · contamination
contamination
Introduction of impurities
- toxinsHarmful biological substances
- microplasticsSub-5mm synthetic environmental particles
- leachingDissolving out by liquid
groundwater · bioaccumulation · litter · non-biodegradable · decomposition · centuries · accumulation · entanglement
overconsumption
Excessive use of resources
- lifecycleStages from beginning to end
- downcyclingRecycling that lowers material value
- policyAdopted principle of action
unrecyclablesrecyclables
Items for reprocessing
recyclable materials · reusables · compostables · recycling · biodegradables
unrecyclablesrecyclables
Items for reprocessing
compostables · compost · biodegradables · green waste · organic waste