[205guy]

I do too! Glad I'm not the only one. I also remove labels when possible and pull plastic tape off of corrugated cardboard boxes.

The one problem is with deposit beverage containers, plastic or glass, that have those plastic wrap labels. The proof of deposit is on the label, so you can't remove it or the recycler won't accept it. So now plastic is added into the glass recycling stream, or 2 different plastics are mixed in the plastic recycling stream.

I think packaging should be regulated. No mixed materials, printed not glued label, or only glue that can be removed. Plastic number stamped on every piece of plastic produced anywhere in the world. Mandate use of recyclable paperboard packaging instead of plastic wrap. No fake bio-degradable packaging. No embedded electronics or batteries.

Also education: everyone is responsible for their trash. Strip out the recyclables, keep them clean, minimize other trash. In the example of the singing birthday cards, it should be trivial to tear or cut out the electronics and put the paper card into the recycling.

If we had sensible regulations and responsible consumers, then with only a bit of effort, we could have valuable clean recycling streams and minimal landfill.