SWANA Research Report Highlights Best Practices for Reducing Curbside Recycling Contamination

The Solid Waste Association of North America’s (SWANA) Applied Research Foundation (ARF) has released a new report, Best Practices for Reducing Curbside Recycling Contamination and Code Enforcement, providing waste and recycling managers with guidance to improve recycling quality while addressing enforcement challenges.

The report examines the challenge of contamination in curbside recycling programs, referring to materials placed in bins that are not accepted by the local recycling program, and offers practical strategies to reduce contamination. The report includes data on the costs of contamination as well as strategies for outreach and enforcement.

“We often hear from SWANA members about their struggles with contamination in their recycling programs. The ongoing problem of contamination creates costs and undermines the effectiveness of curbside recycling programs,” said SWANA CEO Amy Lestition Burke, MA, FASAE, CAE. “Contamination can present a major safety concern when materials such as lithium-ion batteries, full aerosol cans, and sharp items are placed in the recycling, making it imperative that we prompt recyclers to use their recycling bins only for accepted recyclable materials. The new report provides readers with actionable practices, enforcement options, and case studies for reducing contamination.”

Key findings and recommendations include:

• Curbside Cart Tagging and Non-Servicing: Research shows that tagging contaminated carts combined with temporarily refusing service can reduce contamination rates by as much as 59%, with households 75% less likely to reoffend.
• Issuance of Fines: While some communities use fines to deter contamination, penalties create administrative burdens and are not proven to be more effective than consistent cart rejection.
• Solid Waste Code Enforcement: Provides guidance on when to consider employing full-time code enforcers within public works departments, or when to consolidate enforcement staff into a single agency.
• Potential Cost Savings: Case studies such as Fort Worth, TX, demonstrate that investing in inspection and enforcement can generate significant savings by reducing costly contamination at materials recovery facilities (MRFs).

The report also features real-world examples from Orange County, FL; Miami-Dade County, FL; San Francisco, CA; Greensboro, NC; and Port Hueneme, CA, illustrating the range of approaches being implemented nationwide.

“Cities and counties across the country are looking for ways to balance education, outreach, and enforcement to address recycling contamination,” continued Lestition Burke. “This report offers both the research evidence and the practical experiences that can guide decision-making.”

The report is available complimentary to SWANA members and available for purchase for non-members. To learn more about SWANA and the Applied Research Foundation, visit https://swana.org/resources/research.