Most Welsh businesses want to recycle properly. Very few deliberately send recyclable material to a landfill. Yet time and again, perfectly well-intentioned companies fall into the same traps. The problem is not a lack of effort. It is outdated assumptions, half truths and recycling myths that have been repeated for so long they feel like common sense.
Waste and recycling has changed a lot in recent years. Regulations are tighter, sorting processes are more advanced, and the line between what is recyclable and what is not is often more specific than people realise. What worked five or ten years ago may no longer apply, and relying on old habits can quietly lead to contamination, rejected loads or compliance issues.
Today we’re looking at some of the most common recycling myths that still catch businesses out, why they persist, and what you should be doing instead if you want a compliant, cost effective waste setup.
Myth 1: If it goes in the recycling bin, it will be recycled
This is probably the most damaging myth of all. Many businesses assume that once waste is placed in a recycling container, their job is done. In reality, that is only the beginning of the process.
Recycling facilities rely on waste being broadly sorted at source. If a load is heavily contaminated with non-recyclable material, food waste, liquids or mixed materials that cannot be separated, it may be rejected entirely. When that happens, the whole load can end up being diverted to landfill or energy recovery instead.
For businesses, this can mean higher disposal costs and potential compliance issues, especially if you are producing controlled or commercial waste.
What to do instead is focus on education and clear segregation. Staff should know exactly what can and cannot go into each container, and bins should be clearly labelled and positioned logically. Working with an industry-leading waste partner such as GD Environmental also means feedback on contamination levels and practical changes that actually work on site.
Myth 2: All plastics are recyclable if they are clean
Plastics cause more confusion than almost any other waste stream. Many businesses believe that as long as plastic is clean, it can be recycled. Unfortunately, that is not how plastic recycling works.
Different plastics have different properties. Some can be recycled easily and repeatedly, while others are difficult or uneconomical to process. Flexible plastics, polystyrene, black plastic and mixed material packaging are common examples that often cannot be recycled through standard commercial recycling streams.
Even rigid plastics can cause problems if they are made from mixed polymers or include bonded materials such as labels, foils or liners.
The key is knowing which plastics your waste contractor accepts and designing your waste system around that reality. We can advise on suitable streams for rigid plastics, packaging waste and specialist recycling where appropriate, helping you avoid well-meaning but ineffective recycling efforts.
Myth 3: Cardboard with a bit of food on it is fine
This one catches out offices, hospitality venues and food-related businesses all the time. A pizza box, sandwich packaging or coffee cup tray might look recyclable, but food contamination changes everything.
Once cardboard is heavily contaminated with grease or food residue, it often cannot be recycled through normal paper and cardboard streams. This is because the fibres cannot be recovered cleanly during the pulping process.
A small amount of residue may be acceptable in some cases, but relying on that assumption is risky. Entire loads of cardboard can be downgraded or rejected due to contamination.
The best approach is simple. Keep food waste separate. Provide clear bins for general waste, food waste and dry recyclables, especially in kitchens and break areas. This small change can dramatically improve recycling quality and reduce disposal costs.
Myth 4: Recycling rules are the same everywhere
Businesses with multiple sites often assume that recycling rules are consistent across the UK. While the overall principles are similar, local authority policies, processing infrastructure and contractor capabilities can vary.
What is accepted as recyclable in one area may not be accepted in another, particularly for plastics and mixed materials. Assuming uniform rules can lead to incorrect segregation and ongoing contamination issues.
This is why working with a regional provider that understands local variations matters. At GD we work across different sectors and locations, tailoring waste solutions to site-specific requirements rather than applying a one size fits all approach.
Myth 5: Small amounts of hazardous waste do not need special handling
Some businesses believe that hazardous waste only becomes an issue when produced in large volumes. In reality, even small quantities of hazardous waste are subject to strict controls.
Items such as aerosols, batteries, fluorescent tubes, chemicals, oily rags and certain electrical components must be handled, stored and disposed of correctly. Mixing hazardous items into general or recycling waste can create safety risks and regulatory breaches.
Hazardous waste also requires proper documentation, including consignment notes, regardless of quantity.
If your business produces any hazardous waste at all, you should have clear procedures in place and a licensed contractor managing removal and compliance. We provide hazardous waste removal services in South Wales that ensure materials are classified, transported and disposed of correctly, protecting both your business and the environment.
Myth 6: Waste audits are only for large businesses
Waste audits are often seen as something only large industrial sites need to worry about. In reality, businesses of all sizes can benefit from understanding what they are throwing away and why.
A waste audit does not have to be complex or disruptive. It simply looks at the types of waste you produce, volumes, contamination issues and opportunities to improve segregation or reduce waste altogether.
For smaller businesses, this can lead to simpler bin setups, fewer collections and lower costs. For larger sites, it can uncover compliance risks or inefficiencies that would otherwise go unnoticed.
We regularly support businesses with practical waste audits that focus on real world improvements rather than box ticking exercises.
Myth 7: Recycling more always means higher costs
There is a common belief that improving recycling performance automatically increases waste costs. While this can be true in poorly designed systems, it is not true when recycling is done properly.
Landfill disposal is often more expensive than recycling due to landfill tax and rising gate fees. Reducing general waste volumes and diverting suitable material into recycling streams can lower overall costs.
The key is designing a system that matches your waste profile. Too many bins, poorly located containers or incorrect streams can all drive costs up. A well planned setup usually leads to fewer collections, better segregation and more predictable pricing.
An experienced waste partner can help you strike the right balance between environmental responsibility and commercial reality.
Myth 8: If staff make mistakes, recycling is pointless
Some businesses give up on recycling after seeing repeated mistakes by staff. While human error is inevitable, that does not mean recycling efforts are wasted.
Most contamination issues come down to unclear signage, poorly placed bins or a lack of simple guidance. Small changes can make a big difference, such as colour coded bins, picture based labels or repositioning containers to match how people actually move around a site.
Training does not need to be complicated. Short refreshers, posters and clear onboarding for new staff are often enough to improve compliance significantly.
Rather than abandoning recycling, it makes more sense to fix the system around the people using it.
Myth 9: Once a system is set up, it does not need reviewing
Waste streams change over time. Businesses grow, product lines shift, packaging changes and regulations evolve. A system that worked perfectly two years ago may now be inefficient or non compliant.
Regular reviews help ensure your waste setup still reflects your business operations. This might involve changing container sizes, adding new streams or adjusting collection frequencies.
GD Environmental works with clients on an ongoing basis, adapting waste solutions as businesses change rather than leaving them locked into outdated arrangements.
Getting recycling right in practice
Recycling is not about chasing perfection. It is about doing the right things consistently and understanding the limits of the systems in place.
Avoiding common myths starts with honest conversations about what you produce, what can realistically be recycled and how waste moves through your site. Clear segregation, staff awareness and the right contractor support make a measurable difference.
For businesses that want recycling to work properly without unnecessary complexity, we provide tailored commercial waste, recycling and hazardous waste services built around real operational needs.
Getting it right protects your business, reduces costs and ensures your recycling efforts actually deliver the environmental benefits they promise.
