Alexei Volkov
Plastic bags are a significant source of pollution, with 232 million plastic bags used in Sonoma County in 2008, equating to 1.3 plastic bags per resident per day. To combat this, the City and County Members of The Sonoma County Waste Management Agency passed an ordinance in 2014 to reduce the environmental impact of single-use carryout bags and promote reusable bags. This led to a ban on single-use plastic bags in all grocery and retail stores in Sonoma County, including Santa Rosa, from September 1, 2014. While plastic bags are not accepted in the blue single-stream recycling carts, some grocery stores and retail establishments in Santa Rosa accept specific types of plastic bags for recycling. Additionally, there are organizations in Santa Rosa that specialize in plastic recycling, accepting various plastic items beyond just plastic bags.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic bags accepted for recycling | Yes, but only clean, dry bags without receipts or other items inside. |
| Plastic bag drop-off locations | 2785 Yulupa Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95404; 500 W. Napa St, Sonoma, CA 95476; 475 Rohnert Park Expy W, Rohnert Park, CA 94928; 1980 Santa Rosa Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95407; 950 Coddingtown Center, Santa Rosa, CA 95401; 201 W Napa Street, Sonoma, CA 95476 |
| Other accepted plastic items | Plastic chairs and tables, boxes and storage containers, plastic toys, plastic buckets, plastic bowls and dishware, plastic bottles, plastic food containers, plastic wrap, plastic piping, plastic crates, plastic trays, plastic films, plastic caps and lids, plastic sleeves, plastic rings, plastic pellets, plastic drums, plastic buckets, plastic toys, plastic automotive parts, plastic electronics, plastic cups, plastic packaging, plastic medical items, plastic bags, plastic shipping envelopes, plastic bubble wrap, plastic air pillows, plastic product wrap |
| Not accepted for recycling | Degradable/compostable bags or film packaging, pre-washed salad mix bags, frozen food bags, candy bar wrappers, chip bags, six-pack rings, rigid plastics (e.g. animal carriers, barrels, ice chests, irrigation/plumbing pipes, lawn furniture, play structures for children, storage bins/boxes), compostable materials in plastic bags, recyclable materials in plastic bags |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic bags are recyclable in Santa Rosa, CA, but only if they are clean and dry
- Plastic bags are not accepted in blue single-stream recycling carts in Sonoma County
- Plastic bags can be dropped off at Zero Waste Sonoma locations in Santa Rosa, CA
- Plastic bags with the chasing arrows symbol are not necessarily recyclable—check the number inside the triangle
- Plastic bags can be reused or recycled at some grocery and retail stores in Santa Rosa, CA
Plastic bags are recyclable in Santa Rosa, CA, but only if they are clean and dry
The ordinance also states that plastic bags must be clean and dry to be recycled. This means that any food residue or liquid must be rinsed or wiped out, and receipts or other items, such as clothes hangers, should be removed from the bags before recycling. It is important to note that not all plastic bags are recyclable, and degradable or compostable bags should not be included with recyclable plastic bags.
Recyclable plastic bags in Santa Rosa, CA, can be dropped off at designated locations, such as Zero Waste Sonoma, which provides specific drop-off addresses and contact information on its website. Other organizations, such as Recology Sonoma Marin, also accept plastic bags for recycling and provide information on what types of plastic are accepted. It is always a good idea to check with local recycling programs for specific guidelines and drop-off locations.
In addition to plastic bags, there are many other plastic items that can be recycled in Santa Rosa, CA, such as beverage bottles, food containers, packaging, and various household items. Some organizations may have specific requirements or accept only certain types of plastic, so it is important to check with the respective organizations before dropping off items for recycling.
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Plastic bags are not accepted in blue single-stream recycling carts in Sonoma County
While plastic bags are not accepted in the blue single-stream recycling carts, Sonoma County does offer other options for recycling plastic bags. There are designated drop-off locations for recyclable plastic bags in Sonoma County, including several in Santa Rosa. These drop-off locations accept clean, dry plastic bags, such as retail, carryout, produce, newspaper, bread, and dry cleaning bags. It is important to remove any receipts or other items from the bags before dropping them off.
It is worth noting that some grocery stores and retail establishments in Sonoma County accept soft HDPE #2 and LDPE #4 plastic bags for recycling. Additionally, the Department of Agriculture/Weights & Measures holds plastic container recycling events twice a year, in spring and fall, where plastic containers ranging in size from 1 pint to 55 gallons are accepted.
Furthermore, there are companies in Santa Rosa that buy and recycle plastic in bulk. These companies accept various forms of plastic, including plastic chairs, tables, toys, buckets, and other items. However, they do not accept small quantities of plastic, only bulk purchases from companies or individuals with large amounts of plastic to recycle.
While plastic bags are not accepted in the blue single-stream recycling carts in Sonoma County, there are several alternative options available for recycling plastic bags and other plastic items in the county.
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Plastic bags can be dropped off at Zero Waste Sonoma locations in Santa Rosa, CA
- 2785 Yulupa Ave. Santa Rosa, CA 95404
- 1980 Santa Rosa Ave Santa Rosa, CA 95407
- 950 Coddingtown Center Santa Rosa, CA 95401
In addition to Zero Waste Sonoma, other organizations in Santa Rosa, such as Recology Sonoma Marin, also offer plastic recycling services. It is important to note that plastic bags are not accepted in the blue single-stream recycling carts in Sonoma County. However, some grocery stores and retail establishments accept soft HDPE #2 and LDPE #4 plastic bags for recycling.
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Plastic bags with the chasing arrows symbol are not necessarily recyclable—check the number inside the triangle
The number inside the triangle helps consumers identify the type of plastic used for the product, which can then help determine the appropriate disposal route. For example, Symbol 1 with the acronym PETE or PETG (or just PET) represents polyethylene terephthalate, which is easily recyclable and often part of curbside recycling programs. It is commonly used for soft drink bottles, mineral water containers, fruit juice containers, and cooking oil containers. On the other hand, Symbol 4 with the acronym LDPE indicates that the plastic is made from low-density polyethylene, which is not usually recycled but can be converted into floor tiles and shipping envelopes.
It is important to note that not all plastics are recyclable, and the recyclability of a plastic product also depends on the capabilities of the local recycling program. For example, Symbol 7, which stands for "other plastics," includes acrylic plastic, polycarbonate plastic, polylactic fibers, nylon, and fiberglass. While acrylic and polycarbonate can be recycled, they may not be accepted by all local recycling programs.
To properly recycle plastic bags, it is recommended to check with local guidelines. In Santa Rosa, CA, for instance, plastic bags are not accepted in the blue single-stream recycling carts. However, some grocery stores and retail establishments accept soft HDPE #2 and LDPE #4 plastic bags for recycling. It is also recommended to only recycle clean, dry plastic bags that are free of any receipts or other items.
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Plastic bags can be reused or recycled at some grocery and retail stores in Santa Rosa, CA
Some grocery stores and retail establishments in Santa Rosa accept specific types of plastic bags for recycling, such as soft HDPE #2 and LDPE #4 plastic bags. It is important to note that plastic bags should be clean and dry before recycling, and any receipts or other items inside the bags should be removed. Additionally, degradable or compostable plastic bags are not accepted for recycling.
There are several drop-off locations for recyclable plastic bags in Santa Rosa, CA. These locations are listed on the Zero Waste Sonoma website, along with their contact information and hours of operation. Some of the drop-off locations include 2785 Yulupa Ave., 500 W. Napa St., and 950 Coddingtown Center.
It is worth mentioning that recycling standards are becoming stricter, and high-quality materials are preferred by the market. Plastic bags with food residue or liquid should be avoided, as they do not meet the recycling standards. Furthermore, while plastic bags can be recycled, it is always better to reuse them whenever possible to reduce waste and minimize the negative impact on the environment.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, plastic bags are recyclable in Santa Rosa, CA. However, they are not accepted in the blue single-stream recycling carts in Sonoma County. Some grocery stores and retail establishments accept soft HDPE #2 and LDPE #4 plastic bags for recycling.
You can drop off your plastic bags at the following locations in Santa Rosa:
- 2785 Yulupa Ave. Santa Rosa, CA 95404
- 1980 Santa Rosa Ave Santa Rosa, CA 95407
- 950 Coddingtown Center Santa Rosa, CA 95401
In addition to plastic bags, you can recycle various other types of plastic in Santa Rosa, such as plastic bottles, containers, toys, electronic items, automotive parts, and more.
It is important to ensure that your plastic bags are clean and dry before dropping them off for recycling. Remove any receipts, labels, or other items from the bags. Recycling standards are becoming stricter, and the market now demands high-quality, clean recyclables.
