wishcycling

English

Alternative forms

• wish-cycling

Etymology

Blend of wish +‎ recycling, said to have been coined by Bill Keegan, president of a recycling company.

Noun

wishcycling (uncountable)

1. (neologism) Putting items out for recycling in the hope that they will be recycled, without being sure that they are recyclable.
   • 2015 September 19, Eric Roper, “Global shifts put squeeze on Twin Cities recycling”, in Star Tribune:

     Some new innovative packaging can’t be recycled, but nonetheless ends up in the single-sort bin through what Keegan calls “wish cycling.”

   • 2019 August 30, Jackie Flynn Mogensen, “One Very Bad Habit Is Fueling the Global Recycling Meltdown”, in Mother Jones‎^[1]:

     Not only that, but wishcycling is playing a big role in the current global recycling meltdown.