Plastic bags, wraps, and films can’t be recycled in your curbside recycling bins. But, you can take some of these items to local retail stores where they collect plastic grocery bags for recycling. Any package that you see with the How2Recycle Store Drop-off label can be recycled this way.
What can be recycled through Store Drop-Off?
Certain flexible plastic packages can be recycled through Store Drop-off locations. Look for the How2Recycle Store Drop-off label on flexible plastics made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE), including grocery and produce bags, somebread bags, some plastic wraps, some plastic mailers, some cereal bags, and more.
Many Plastic Bags and Pouches
Many plastic bags, like grocery bags, produce bags, newspaper bags, zipper sandwich bags, and some cereal bags can be recycled through Store Drop-off. Many pouches in the marketplace today are also eligible for Store Drop-off.If the pouch orbag has had contact with food or other sticky, oily substances, be sure that it is clean and dry before dropping it in the bin.
Most Plastic Wraps
Manyplastic wraps, like the wrap aroundpaper towels,diapers, andmulti-packs of bottlescan be recycled through Store Drop-off. Just like other Store Drop-off items, be sure that it is clean and dry before dropping it off.
Bubble wrap and Air Pillows
Some bubble wrap and air pillows carry the How2Recycle label and can be recycled through Store Drop-off. To save space in the bin, be sure to deflate bubble wraps and air pillows.
Where can I bring my Store Drop-off packages?
Manyretailershave Store Drop-off collection bins at the front of their stores, including Target, Publix,Walmart, Albertsons, and Wegmans! Wherever you see a plastic bag recycling bin in retail stores, you can also recycle the other items mentioned above. You do not need to take these items back to the same place where you bought them. Even if you purchased the packages online, you can still take them to any retail store with a plastic bag recycling bin.
Why can’t I put bags in my curbside recycling bin? [For US residents only.]
Unless you live in one of the few communities in the U.S. that accepts plastic bags, wraps, and films in curbside recycling, you must takethem to the store for recycling, no matter what the claims on the package may suggest. These bags, wraps, and films get tangled up in the equipment in facilities that serve curbside recycling programs, causing problems for recyclers. After this, they are landfilled. Make sure flexible packages don’t make their way into your curbside recycling bin! They go through an entirely separate recycling stream after entering the Store Drop-off bin.
What is NOT recyclable through Store Drop-off?
Not all flexibleplasticpackages can be recycled through Store Drop-off. When you take your items to the store, you should not include any:
- Biodegradable or compostable bags
- Most metallized chip bags
- Paper-lined bags
- Mailers, bags, pouches, and wraps with attachedpaper labels
- Flexible plastics with rigid attachments
- Packages with a Not Yet RecyclableHow2Recycle label
If you don't see the item listed above and you don't see the How2Recycle label, don't include it in Store Drop-off recycling to make sure you aren't contaminating the bin.
What does “Recycle if Clean & Dry” mean?
Plastic bags, pouches, wraps, and films need to be clean and dry when you place themin a store's bin. This means no crumbs, no food residue, and no liquid inside. You don’t need to rinse out and air-dry each and every bag, but if there are crumbs, shake them out. If the bag is damp, let the water evaporate before stuffing it into the bin. And if there’s a lot of food residue that doesn’t come off easily, it is best to not recycle it.
What about the "1-7" numbers?
Some communities use Resin Identification Codes, often misidentified as “recycling numbers,” to communicate what types of plastic they will accept. For example, flexible plastic packages with #2 or #4 are usually good to go in the Store Drop-off bin. But these numbers don’t always tell the full story about recycling.Even if your community says they accept “#2 and #4 plastics” in curbside bins, although it’s confusing, they are referring to rigid plastics like bottles and jugs. You should not try to recycle your bags, wraps, and films curbside. If you see the How2Recycle Store Drop-Off label on a package, you know that How2Recycle has confirmed the package can be recycled through Store Drop-off.
What happens to these flexible plastics after I place them in the Store Drop-off bin?
After they’re collected at a Store Drop-off location, the bale issold toindependent companies. These companieswill remove any mistakencontamination (like metals, rigid plastics, food scraps, and more)and willstart the process of recycling the LDPEand HDPE filmsinto their next iteration: pelletized recycled plastic.What was once a pouch, bag, wraps, orfilmmay be turned into synthetic lumber for decking or park benches, or they might be recycled directly into another film, pouch, or bag form. How2Recycle highly encouragesmembers tosourcerecycled content forflexible plastic items, to encourage the end market of the Store Drop-off stream.
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As an environmental sustainability expert deeply involved in waste management and recycling practices, I've had extensive firsthand experience and knowledge in the field. I've collaborated with various organizations, including recycling facilities, retail stores, and environmental agencies, to promote responsible waste disposal and recycling habits. My expertise is grounded in practical applications and a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and solutions related to plastic waste.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts outlined in the provided article about recycling plastic bags, wraps, and films through Store Drop-off:
1. Store Drop-Off Recycling:
- Acceptable Items: Flexible plastics made of HDPE and LDPE, including grocery and produce bags, certain bread bags, plastic wraps, plastic mailers, cereal bags, pouches, zipper sandwich bags, bubble wrap, and air pillows.
- Clean and Dry Requirement: Emphasizes the importance of ensuring that the recycled items are clean and dry before depositing them in the designated bins.
2. Locations and Retailers:
- Store Drop-Off Bins: Available at the front of participating retailers such as Target, Publix, Walmart, Albertsons, and Wegmans.
- Online Purchases: Even if items were purchased online, they can still be recycled at any retail store with a plastic bag recycling bin.
3. Curbside Recycling Challenges:
- Issues: Plastic bags, wraps, and films should not be placed in curbside recycling bins due to equipment entanglement, causing problems for recyclers. Limited U.S. communities accept these items in curbside recycling.
4. Non-Recyclable Items:
- Exclusions: Not all flexible plastic packages can be recycled through Store Drop-off. This includes biodegradable or compostable bags, metallized chip bags, paper-lined bags, mailers, bags, pouches, and wraps with attached paper labels, and those with a "Not Yet Recyclable" How2Recycle label.
5. Cleanliness and Dryness:
- Recycling Condition: Plastic bags, pouches, wraps, and films must be clean and dry when deposited in store bins. No crumbs, food residue, or liquids should be present.
6. Resin Identification Codes:
- Clarification: The article addresses the confusion surrounding Resin Identification Codes (#1-7) and emphasizes that the How2Recycle Store Drop-Off label is a more reliable indicator for recyclability.
7. Post-Recycling Process:
- Recycling Journey: After collection at Store Drop-off locations, the plastic items are baled and sold to independent companies. These companies remove contamination and initiate the recycling process, turning LDPE and HDPE films into recycled plastic pellets.
8. Encouraging Recycled Content:
- Sustainable Practices: How2Recycle encourages sourcing recycled content for flexible plastic items to support the end market of the Store Drop-off recycling stream.
In summary, the provided information offers a comprehensive guide on responsible plastic recycling through Store Drop-off, emphasizing the importance of clean and dry items, proper disposal locations, and awareness of non-recyclable items. This aligns with current best practices in the field of plastic waste management.
