Michigan is officially upping its recycling game. In 2025, our recycling rate climbed to 25%. That’s 723,174 metric tons more recyclable materials than in 2024. And while it’s hard to picture just how much glass, paper, and plastic that is, imagine two Empire State Buildings.

But let’s be real: Recycling rules can be confusing. If you’ve ever stared at a plastic container with a tiny triangle on it, sighed and thrown it in the bin hoping for the best…me too. Apparently, there’s a name for it: wishcycling.

Why it matters: Researchers estimate that more than 22 million pounds of plastic enter the Great Lakes each year. Our land and wildlife are counting on us to keep trash and recycling where they belong. But sorting facilities rely on quality materials. When we toss the wrong things into the bin, we risk contaminating the whole truckload, which could then end up in a landfill.

Lesser-Known Rules to Up Your Recycling Game

  • Lose the lids: Your clear pasta sauce and pickle jars are perfect for curbside recycling, but leave the metal or plastic lids off. They belong in their own separate streams. Toss the jar in loose, and let the lid go its own way.
  • The freezer box trap: Think a frozen pizza box is standard cardboard? Not always. If a cardboard container is designed to go into the freezer, it’s usually coated in a thin layer of plastic to keep it from getting soggy. That means it belongs in the trash, not your bin.
  • The pizza box compromise: Greasy, cheesy pizza boxes can’t be recycled because the oil ruins the paper-making process. The fix? Just rip off the clean top half of the box to recycle, and throw the greasy bottom away.
  • Keep it loose: It’s incredibly tempting to bag your recyclables to keep things neat and tidy. Don’t do it. Sorters won’t open plastic bags for safety reasons, so bagged recyclables almost always get sent straight to the landfill. Let your jars and papers run free.
  • Say no to the “clean” paper plate: Even if they are brand new and never touched a slice of birthday cake, paper plates, paper towels and napkins are not curbside recyclable. The fibers are already too short to be processed again.
  • Check the facts: Recycling rules vary depending on exactly where you live in Michigan, so it’s always best to check with your recycling provider for the specifics in your neighborhood.

One small step: For those hard-to-recycle items (and there are a lot of them), find a local recycling facility that accepts more than just glass, paper and plastic. Earth 911 is a great place to start, and Michigan’s recycling directory lets you search for where to take plastic bags, electronics, foam and more. A personal favorite is the Recycle Ann Arbor Drop-off Station (they even take Christmas lights).

But, we’re already moving in the right direction, and that’s something to celebrate.