My trip to the recycling center in Portland changed how I sort my trash forever

I went to Metro's central station last weekend to drop off some old electronics and a volunteer showed me how much stuff I was putting in the wrong bins. Turns out my 'recyclable' yogurt cups were actually going to the landfill because of the little plastic lids. Has anyone else had a reality check like that at their local dump?

2 comments

2 Comments

luna_green1mo ago

Oh man, that is SO frustrating but I totally get it. I think this is a bigger issue than just recycling centers though. It feels like companies are making stuff that LOOKS recyclable but actually isn't, and nobody tells us until we're standing there like idiots with our bags. Like those toothpaste tubes? Not recyclable. Plastic clamshell containers from the grocery store? Most places won't take them. The rules are different everywhere too, so what works in one city is trash in another. It honestly makes me wonder if anyone is actually on top of this mess or if we're all just guessing and hoping for the best.

fox.jesse1mo ago

Toss everything in a bin marked "other" and call it a day, that's what I do.