What Businesses Need to Know in 2025: Recycling Myths♻️

Recycling is one of the most visible ways businesses show their commitment to sustainability.

Yet, despite the growing awareness around ESG and zero-waste targets, confusion and misconceptions remain. In 2025, we’re still seeing the same myths derail recycling programs — costing businesses money, creating inefficiencies, and weakening environmental outcomes.

At Nationwide Waste Solutions, we’ve worked with businesses across Australia to design and manage recycling systems that actually work. Here, we’re busting the most common recycling myths and giving you practical advice to make your recycling program effective, compliant, and future-ready.

🚫 Myth 1: “All plastics are recyclable”

This is one of the biggest misconceptions we see. While most businesses provide a “mixed recycling” bin, not all plastics are suitable for commercial recycling facilities.

What’s recyclable? PET bottles (like water bottles) and HDPE plastics (such as milk containers and detergent bottles).
What’s not? Soft plastics, polystyrene, and multi-layer packaging.

🚫 Myth 2: “Landfill is cheaper than recycling”

On the surface, landfill costs may appear lower. But the true cost of landfill includes:

Rising levies: State governments across Australia continue to increase landfill levies.
Transport costs: Sending waste to landfill often requires longer haulage than recycling solutions.
Reputation risks: Customers and stakeholders increasingly see landfill-heavy waste systems as environmentally irresponsible.

🚫 Myth 3: “Recycling is too complicated for staff”

Some businesses avoid recycling because they think it adds complexity. The truth? Recycling becomes complicated only when the system isn’t designed well.

With the right bins, signage, and service partner, recycling can be seamless. In fact, staff often welcome clearer processes because they align with personal values and workplace sustainability goals.

🚫 Myth 4: “One recycling system fits every business”

A hospital’s recycling needs are very different from a logistics depot or a manufacturing facility. Yet we often see businesses rolling out a “cookie cutter” recycling solution across multiple sites, only to discover it doesn’t work.

Each industry generates unique waste streams, and each site may have different infrastructure, regulations, and contamination risks.

🚫 Myth 5: “Once recyclables leave our site, it’s out of our hands”

Many businesses assume that once their recycling bins are collected, their responsibility ends. But stakeholders — from customers to regulators — are demanding transparency. They want to know where recyclables end up, how much is diverted from landfill, and what the environmental impact actually is.

Practical Tips to Set Up a Recycling System That Works

Audit your waste streams – Know exactly what waste your business produces before setting up bins.
Educate your people – Simple, visual signage makes all the difference.
Right-size your services – Match collection frequency and bin sizes to actual volumes.
Measure and report – Track diversion rates, cost savings, and sustainability metrics.
Review regularly – Businesses evolve, and so should recycling programs.

Why Nationwide Waste Solutions?

Recycling doesn’t have to be confusing. At Nationwide Waste Solutions, we specialise in making it simple:

Expert account management: Our team manages over 2,000 monthly services nationally with DIFOT >99%.
A network of trusted providers: 250+ contractors delivering reliable, competitive services.
Sustainability outcomes: Real landfill diversion, measurable ESG improvements, and Scope 3 emissions reporting.
Tailored solutions: Whether you need parts washers hire and service, waste compactors, cardboard recycling, or chemical waste disposal, we design solutions that match your business needs.