How it works
The customer has one recycling cart. Everything accepted goes in together. A truck collects it, often a side-load or rear-load with a compactor body, and takes it to a MRF built to handle mixed material. Machines and sorters do the separation.
The main appeal is convenience. One cart is easier for the customer, takes less space at the curb, and tends to raise participation. For the hauler, it allows automated collection and simpler routes.
The tradeoff is quality. When paper, glass, and containers share a cart and a truck, glass can break and embed in paper, and wet or dirty items can spoil clean material. Contamination goes up, and so does the cost of sorting. Some programs have moved toward fewer accepted items or stricter rules to improve quality.
Why it matters for your business
Single-stream is a customer education challenge. People “wish-cycle,” placing items in the cart hoping they are recyclable. Plastic bags, food waste, and tanglers like hoses cause problems at the MRF. A hauler who spends nothing on education may pay for it in contamination charges or rejected loads.
Marketing and customer service can help. A one-page guide on your website, a welcome email to new customers, and a text reminder about what is accepted are modest steps that reduce bad material. Cart tagging with a photo and note, logged in your CRM, makes follow-up easy.
When pitching municipalities or HOAs, being clear about how your single-stream program works and how you handle contamination builds credibility.
Common questions
Is single-stream better than dual-stream?
Neither is better in every case. Single-stream usually raises participation. Dual-stream usually produces cleaner material. Local processing and market conditions decide.
What goes in the cart?
Whatever your local program says. Rules vary, so use your processor’s current list.