Sofia Martinez
Plastic bags are a contaminant in single-stream residential recycling in New Jersey and are considered the most problematic contaminant found in the curbside recycling mix. They interfere with the mechanical recycling process, causing slowdowns, stoppages, and potential damage to equipment. However, plastic bags can be recycled separately and are valuable when recycled properly. Many supermarkets and big-box stores in New Jersey have containers for customers to recycle plastic bags, and some stores accept plastic film, including bags, for recycling. This article will explore the recyclability of plastic bags in New Jersey, the issues they cause in the recycling process, and the proper methods for their disposal and recycling.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic bags recyclable in residential curbside containers | No |
| Plastic bags recyclable separately | Yes |
| Plastic bags as contaminants in Single Stream residential recycling | Yes |
| Plastic bags causing issues in the recycling process | Yes |
| Plastic bags recyclable at designated stores | Yes |
| Plastic bags recyclable at Middletown Recycling Center | Yes |
| Plastic bags accepted at stores for recycling | Walmart, Acme, Stop and Shop, Kohls, ShopRite, Target, Lowes, Whole Foods |
| Plastic bags recyclable into new products | Decking, playground equipment, fences |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic bags cannot be recycled with other materials
Secondly, the sorting process itself is complex when it comes to plastic bags. Recycling facilities are designed to sort common recyclables like paper, cardboard, glass, and specific types of plastic containers based on size, weight, and shape. Plastic bags, with their thin and flexible nature, can easily mimic paper, leading to contamination if not properly separated.
Thirdly, the market demand for recycled plastic bags is limited compared to other materials. The cost and energy required to recycle plastic bags often outweigh the benefits, making it challenging for recycling markets to justify their processing. Additionally, the quality of recycled plastic bags plays a crucial role in their recyclability. To be recycled, the bags must be extremely clean and not mixed with multiple colours of plastic, which can be challenging to achieve.
Lastly, while some locations may accept plastic bags as drop-off items, specific guidelines must be followed. Plastic bags should be clean, dry, and free of any stickers, staples, or receipts. They should not be placed in curbside bins or used to bag other recyclables, as this can lead to the entire batch being sent to landfills. Instead, residents are often instructed to put all plastic bags into one larger bag and tie it at the top for easy identification and removal by recycling workers.
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They cause damage to recycling equipment
Plastic bags are not recyclable in curbside recycling bins in New Jersey. Many people are unaware of how to recycle plastic bags properly, which can lead to contamination in the recycling stream. This is a particular problem for plastic bags, which can cause significant damage to recycling equipment.
Plastic bags can damage the machinery used to sort and size recyclables. For example, when plastic bags pass over star screeners, they can become tangled in the star-shaped discs, causing screen blinding and preventing smaller materials from passing through. This results in reduced efficiency and increased downtime as the machine must be stopped and the bags manually removed. Older equipment is especially susceptible to damage and inefficiency due to plastic bag contamination.
Stretchy plastic bags often get stuck in recycling equipment, requiring workers to shut down the machinery and remove the plastic. This process causes production slowdowns and increases costs for recycling facilities. Plastic bags can also jam sorting machines, leading to costly repairs and loss of productivity. In fact, plastic bags have been known to cause millions of dollars in damages at recycling facilities.
To prevent damage to recycling equipment, it is important to keep plastic bags out of the recycling stream. Many recycling facilities prefer that all recyclables are placed loosely in bins rather than bagged. Plastic bags should be ripped open and discarded, and any recyclables inside should be placed directly into the bin. Plastic bags can be recycled at some participating retail stores, but it is important to check with local recycling entities, as guidelines can vary by location.
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$7.19 $8.99
Properly recycled plastic bags are valuable
Plastic bags are recyclable in New Jersey, but they cannot be placed in curbside recycling bins. They can be recycled at stores or other drop-off sites if they are clean, dry, and free of receipts or other items. Non-recyclable plastic wraps include any wrap or bag that contained frozen food, pre-washed salad mix bags, and bags labeled as degradable, compostable, or biodegradable. These can disrupt the recycling process and prevent the reuse of entire loads of recovered bags and wraps.
In addition to the economic benefits, properly recycling plastic bags helps to reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste. Plastic bags can take up to 1,000 years to degrade in a landfill, and during this time, they do not break down completely but instead photo-degrade, becoming microplastics that absorb toxins and continue to pollute the environment. Birds often mistake shredded plastic bags for food, filling their stomachs with toxic debris. Sea turtles also struggle to distinguish between jellyfish and floating plastic bags, and fish eat thousands of tons of plastic per year, transferring it up the food chain to bigger fish and marine mammals. Humans are also impacted, as it is estimated that people consume the equivalent of a credit card's worth of plastic every week.
To ensure proper recycling of plastic bags, individuals can take several steps. These include reducing the use of disposable shopping bags by using reusable bags or containers, reusing old plastic bags for multiple shopping trips, and repurposing plastic bags as trash liners or pet waste bags. Additionally, individuals can support legislation and initiatives aimed at reducing plastic pollution, such as the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act, which aims to phase out throwaway plastics and hold the industry responsible for its waste. By combining individual actions with collective efforts, we can increase the value of properly recycled plastic bags and contribute to a more sustainable future.
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Plastic bags can be recycled separately
Plastic bags cannot be placed in your residential curbside recycling container in New Jersey. They are considered contaminants in single-stream residential recycling and are known to cause significant issues in the mechanical recycling process. The main issue with plastic bags is that they get caught in the rotating shafts of the sorter, leading to delays, increased costs, and potential harm to the machinery. Therefore, it is crucial to keep plastic bags separate from other recyclables.
However, plastic bags can be recycled separately through dedicated collection programs. Many supermarkets and big-box stores, such as Walmart, Acme, Stop & Shop, Kohl's, ShopRite, Target, and Whole Foods, have containers available for customers to recycle plastic bags. These stores accept plastic bags for recycling free of charge, and collection bins are typically located near the store's entrance. Additionally, some local recycling centers, like the one in Middletown, NJ, also collect clean plastic bags for recycling.
It is important to recycle plastic bags properly to reduce their environmental impact and improve the efficiency of the recycling process. When recycled correctly, plastic bags can be turned into valuable products such as decking, playground equipment, and fences. Proper disposal of plastic bags also helps keep the recycling stream cleaner, increasing the profitability and value of the recycled products.
To recycle plastic bags, it is essential to keep them separate from other recyclables and bring them to designated drop-off locations or recycling centers that accept them. By recycling plastic bags separately, you can play a vital role in reducing contamination in the single-stream recycling process and promoting the creation of environmentally friendly products.
It's worth noting that plastic food takeout containers and plastic bags with residue should not be recycled. These items should be placed in the regular trash. Only plastic bottles and jars with a #1 or #2 recycling label are accepted in curbside recycling containers. Properly rinsing and cleaning containers before recycling is crucial to meet the tightened standards of end markets for recyclables.
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Many supermarkets and big box stores accept plastic bags for recycling
Plastic bags cannot be recycled through single-stream residential recycling in New Jersey. They are considered contaminants and can damage the recycling processing equipment. However, plastic bags can be recycled separately and are accepted by many supermarkets and big-box stores in New Jersey.
In Middletown, NJ, the Middletown Recycling Center collects clean plastic bags for recycling and encourages residents to dispose of plastic bags properly to reduce contamination in the recycling stream. Several stores in Middletown, including Stop & Shop, Shop Rite, Target, and Whole Foods, also accept plastic bags for recycling free of charge, usually providing collection bins at their entrances.
In Camden County, NJ, while plastic bags cannot be placed in curbside recycling containers, many supermarkets and big-box stores have containers available for customers to recycle plastic bags. A comprehensive list of stores in the area that accept plastic bags for recycling is provided on their website.
In Middlesex County, NJ, some Walmart, Acme, Stop and Shop, Kohls, ShopRite, Target, and Lowe's stores accept plastic film, including bags, for recycling. Residents can find the nearest drop-off location and information about accepted materials on the NexTrex website.
By providing separate recycling streams for plastic bags and ensuring proper disposal, New Jersey residents can help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the state's recycling process while also reducing costs and environmental impact.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic bags cannot be recycled in your residential curbside container in New Jersey. They are considered contaminants in Single Stream residential recycling.
Plastic bags interfere with the mechanical recycling process, causing slowdowns, stoppages, and potential damage to recycling processing equipment.
Plastic bags can be recycled but they need to be dealt with separately from other recyclables. Many supermarkets and big-box stores, including Walmart, Acme, Stop & Shop, Kohl's, ShopRite, Target, and Whole Foods, accept plastic bags for recycling.
When plastic bags are put into the curbside recycling container, they get caught in the rotating shafts of the sorter, causing delays and potential harm to the machine. This results in increased costs for the township and, by extension, taxpayers.
Yes, recycling plastic bags properly results in a cleaner recycling stream, increasing the value of the recycled product. It also helps the environment by reducing the amount of plastic waste.
