We all like the sound of ‘zero waste to landfill’ – especially when we see it on packaging. It’s a catchy, feel-good phrase that suggests we’re doing our bit for the planet. But if we dig a little deeper, behind the slogan lies a much messier reality.
The truth is, not everything gets reused, recycled or repurposed. Some waste simply can’t be recycled. And this isn’t because we lack the right technology – more often, it’s just not economically viable. And that means it still ends up in landfill, or worse, gets shipped overseas and becomes someone else’s problem.
So, is zero waste to landfill a myth? Not entirely. It’s a worthy goal, but it’s important to ask some tough questions to understand if we’re solving the problem or just moving it elsewhere.
The hidden cost of recycling
Not all waste is created equal. Clean cardboard, metal and certain types of plastic? Great – we can deal with those. But mixed materials, contaminated packaging or complex composites? They’re much harder to separate and expensive to process.
When it costs more to recycle something than it’s actually worth, most waste processors won’t bother. That’s not laziness; it’s an economic reality. So, even if a company has ten different bins for ten types of waste, some of it still ends up exactly where they promised it wouldn’t: in landfill.
The trouble with the term ‘zero landfill’
Here’s a hard truth: just because a business says it diverts all waste from landfill doesn’t mean it doesn’t end up there eventually.
Ask the right questions:
- Are they sending waste to energy-from-waste incinerators?
- Are they simply passing it on to another waste company further down the line?
- Are they shipping it overseas, where it becomes someone else’s problem?
Some businesses really do go the extra mile by working with specialist recycling facilities and following strict sorting processes. But others lean heavily on creative accounting and clever labelling. If you’re trying to choose a truly sustainable waste partner – whether at home or for your workplace – ask for evidence. Dig a little deeper, and don’t just take them at face value.
Manufacturers react to what we buy
A lot of materials that can’t be economically recycled – think foil-lined pouches, plastic film or black plastic trays – are used because they’re cheap, durable and what consumers expect.
But here’s the thing: manufacturers don’t operate in a vacuum. They follow the money – and that means they follow us: in what we buy, what we expect and what we’re willing to pay for.
If we want real change, we have to stop buying the things that cause the problem in the first place. That means:
- Choosing products with less packaging
- Saying no to hard-to-recycle materials
- Demanding clear labelling and truly sustainable options
Manufacturers will adapt – but only when the market tells them to. We need to send a clear message with how we shop.
So, is zero waste to landfill really possible?
Technically, yes. But practically, it’s very difficult – especially if we keep producing and buying things that cost more to recycle than they’re worth.
The path to zero landfill doesn’t just run through waste companies and recycling centres – it runs through what we put in our shopping baskets, what we throw in the bin and the purchasing choices we make every day. We all have a part to play.
Change starts with us
Waste companies like ours can help you reduce landfill. We’ll provide the right bins, collections, audits and advice. But if we’re still collecting skips full of unrecyclable stuff every week, we’re not solving the problem – we’re just putting a sticking plaster over it.
If we truly want to cut landfill down to size, we need to stop wondering, “Why isn’t this recyclable?” and start asking, “Why did we buy it in the first place?”
Need help cutting landfill waste in your business?
Book a free waste audit with our team, and we’ll help you make a practical plan to reduce your landfill impact. No fluff. No greenwashing. Just real results.
We look forward to working with you.