Single Stream: Single stream recycling dumps all recyclables in one cart, hauls it away in compaction trucks that break and smash the materials together, and then unloads it at large scale, heavily automated – marginally effective – processing centers which are only capable of producing bales contaminated as much as 30% and lowers the market value of recovered resources.
Dual Stream: Dual stream recycling collects paper separately from other mixed materials, which makes processing less complicated and expensive and produces clean materials for markets.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
