I don't have hard evidence, but think about it. Sorting out all these recyclables takes time, energy and space to achieve. Trash is all loaded into one bin, able to collect millions of different things. Recycle bins, on the other hand, are all single-use. One for bottles and cans, one for computer paper, one for newspaper, one for paperboard, one for corrugated cardboard, etc etc. This is bonkers!
The original reason why I promoted the 'all-encompassing' recycle bin was because I hated finding a plastic bottle bin when i wanted to recycle my newspaper. Most recycle bins are scattered around my campus, and each location doesn't have every type of recyclable. Some do, but most dont.
SO, why not put everything together? Imagine putting your city recycle bin out on the street, all mixed together, and rather than the truck coming by, stopping, sorting everything next to the truck, then driving 50 feet down the road and getting the neighbor's bin, why not just grab it and go like the trash truck? The trash truck has a giant arm that grabs the trash can, dumps it in the back, and drives on - much faster than the recycle man. There's no telling how much fuel, time, and personnel this would save. The personnel could instead work in the factory where the sorting takes place. Trucks dump the recyclables on a conveyor, and workers sort the recyclables into the right collection bin.
I will try to find the video I watched to share what I'm referring to. Hopefully you, too, will see how much sense this makes! In the meantime, try these articles that are for and against sorting at the factory:
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