Recycling Stream

A recycling stream is a separate flow of waste materials collected and directed to an appropriate recycling, composting or recovery process. In restaurants and food facilities, recycling streams help divert suitable materials from landfill and keep waste handling organized. The materials accepted in each stream depend on the local waste-management program and service provider.

Common restaurant recycling streams

• Cardboard and paper: clean, dry boxes and paper packaging accepted by the local program.
• Glass: bottles and jars separated according to local collection requirements.
• Containers and plastics: accepted plastic, metal and other packaging types, sorted according to local rules.
• Organics: food scraps and other compostable materials accepted by the collection service.
• Used cooking oil: collected separately for approved recovery or recycling rather than poured into drains.

How to manage recycling streams

Provide clearly labelled bins, train staff on accepted materials, keep recyclable items as clean as required by the program and prevent contamination with food waste, chemicals or non-accepted packaging. Store waste safely, control odours and pests, and arrange collection at an appropriate frequency.

Recycling stream versus waste stream

A waste stream includes all materials leaving the operation, including garbage, organics, recycling and special waste. A recycling stream is the portion sorted for material recovery or reuse.

Why local rules matter

Accepted materials, sorting requirements and collection arrangements vary by municipality and contractor. A material labelled recyclable is not necessarily accepted in the restaurant’s local collection program.

Chef’s tip: place the correct bins where waste is generated—prep, dishwashing, bar and receiving—and use simple labels with pictures. Staff are more likely to sort correctly when the system is convenient.