Chances are your city doesn't actually have a proper recycling program and everything is just for show.
Going to put my tinfoil hat on for a moment. I grew up in the region of Waterloo in Ontario, where the blue box program was first piloted. Everyone was aware that this was 100% a make work program and offered no benefit to the community besides hundreds of new jobs.
Recycle by choosing reusable containers and choosing biodegradable packaging if you actually want to make a difference.