What is "single-stream recycling"?

The concept of "single-stream recycling" is accurately captured by the option focusing on a system where all recyclables are mixed together in one bin for collection. This approach simplifies the recycling process for consumers, as they do not need to sort different materials—such as paper, plastics, metals, and glass—before placing them in the recycling bin. Instead, all recyclable items can be thrown into a single bin, which can lead to increased participation in recycling programs.

In a single-stream system, the mixed materials are subsequently sorted at a recycling facility, where advanced technology and manual labor are used to separate the different types of recyclables for processing. This method is designed to encourage more people to recycle by making it easier, although it can pose challenges in terms of contamination and the efficiency of material recovery.