In HelloNation, Waste Management Expert Dori John Explains What Items Should Not Go in a Co-Mingled Recycling Bin

Waste Management Expert Dori John of Roseburg Disposal has issued a detailed guide via HelloNation regarding prohibited materials in Roseburg, Oregon’s co-mingled recycling system. The report identifies common contaminants such as plastic bags, hazardous waste, and glass that disrupt facility operations and compromise the quality of recovered materials. Understanding these restrictions is critical for the waste management sector to maintain equipment longevity, ensure worker safety, and improve the economic viability of recycled commodities.

Dori John, an expert with Roseburg Disposal, highlights that while co-mingled recycling simplifies household sorting for paper, cardboard, and certain plastics, it remains highly vulnerable to contamination. Plastic bags and other flexible materials like bubble wrap and plastic wrap are cited as primary offenders, as they frequently become entangled in sorting machinery. These disruptions require facilities to halt operations for manual removal, which significantly increases operational costs and reduces the overall throughput of recycling centers.

The guidance also stresses the exclusion of hazardous materials and glass from curbside bins to protect both infrastructure and personnel. Items such as batteries, electronics, and chemicals pose fire and safety risks, while glass is excluded because it often breaks during collection, creating hazards for workers and embedding shards into other recyclables. Residents are instead directed to use specialized drop-off locations or transfer stations for these specific materials to ensure they are handled through appropriate, non-commingled waste streams.

Beyond physical hazards, the report addresses the challenge of mixed-material packaging, such as plastic-coated cardboard or multi-layer containers, which cannot be efficiently separated by standard sorting technology. John notes that while Oregon's statewide rules offer some flexibility, minimizing food residue and liquids is essential for maintaining the market value of the collected materials. By adhering to these strict sorting protocols, the local recycling system can produce higher-quality secondary raw materials, supporting a more robust circular economy and reducing the industry's reliance on virgin resources.