Social feeds are packed with “quick green tips,” but not everything that sounds eco-friendly truly helps the planet. Let’s sort fact from fiction.
1. “Glass is always greener than plastic.”
Myth. Glass can be endlessly recycled, so it must be better.
Fact. Producing and shipping glass bottles often requires more energy and CO₂ than lightweight PET, especially over long distances. Glass wins only in local, high-return deposit systems.
What to do? Buy local beverages in returnable glass—or in PET if that’s the only option—and always recycle.
2. “Paper bags are automatically eco-friendly.”
Myth. Paper biodegrades, so it’s superior to polyethylene.
Fact. A single-use paper bag consumes more water, energy, and pesticides (for pulp) than a thin plastic one. It becomes greener only after 10-15 reuses and proper recycling.
What to do? Prioritize sturdy, washable fabric totes or mesh bags.
3. “Cartons (Tetra Pak) can’t be recycled.”
Myth. Multilayer paper-plastic-aluminum packs are impossible to separate.
Fact. Specialized facilities do separate them: fiber becomes cardboard, the plastic-aluminum layer becomes pellets or RDF fuel. The hurdle is infrastructure, not technology.
What to do? Check local drop-off points; if none, choose glass or PET.
4. “Any triangle with ♻ means fully recyclable.”
Myth. The recycling symbol guarantees acceptance.
Fact. It just marks the resin code (1-7). Only codes 1 (PET) and 2 (HDPE) are widely recycled; others often end up incinerated or landfilled.
What to do? Look for codes 1-2 for your orange (plastic/metal) bin and avoid 6 (PS) or 7 (other).
5. “Biodegradable plastic can go in home compost.”
Myth. PLA or starch plastics break down in the backyard.
Fact. Most compostable items need industrial composters (≥ 60 °C, controlled humidity). In a home pile they linger for years.
What to do? Only compost items labeled home-compostable or take them to industrial facilities.
6. “Bottles must be uncapped to be accepted.”
Myth. Caps jam balers and ruin batches.
Fact. Modern MRFs separate polymers automatically. A tightened cap actually helps compress bottles and prevents loose plastic litter.
What to do? Squash the bottle, screw the cap back on, and recycle both together.
7. “Plastic straws are the top source of ocean trash.”
Myth. Viral infographics claim straws make up 90 % of marine debris.
Fact. Studies show straws are < 1 %. The bulk is fishing gear, single-use packaging, and construction plastic.
What to do? Skipping straws is symbolic, but cutting down film wrap, bags, and to-go containers has far bigger impact.
Takeaways
Check local rules—recycling infrastructure changes city to city.
Reuse beats single-use, no matter the material.
Think lifecycle—production → use → disposal, not just the “eco” label.