Omar Khalid
Plastic film bags are a tricky material to recycle. While they are technically recyclable, they are not accepted by most curbside recycling programs due to the risk of them getting stuck in the machinery at Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs). However, there are other ways to recycle plastic film bags properly.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recyclable | Yes, but not at most recycling centers that collect materials from curbside |
| Recycling process | Plastic film packaging is recycled differently than bottles and containers |
| Recycling bins | Plastic film packaging should not be put in household recycling bins but in film plastics recycling bins |
| Recycling locations | Retail stores, supermarkets, chain pharmacies, and community centers |
| Accepted items | Clean plastic bags without food residue or labels |
| Recycled products | Lumber/decking, stormwater management systems, construction materials, new flexible plastic films, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic bags and film are not recyclable in curbside bins
However, plastic bags and film can be recycled at participating retail store recycling bins. There are thousands of retail stores and drop-off centers that accept plastic film packaging for recycling. These retailers collect plastic film packaging from consumers and back-haul this plastic film to multiple businesses that recycle it into new products.
It is important to learn what types of film plastics are recyclable and to check the list of accepted items before bringing something for recycling. When plastic film is properly recycled at a return-to-retail drop-off location, it can be reprocessed into small pellets, which can be made into new bags, pallets, containers, crates, and pipes. It can also be recycled into composite decking, benches, playground sets, and stormwater management systems.
To recycle plastic bags and film, they must be clean and free of any food residue or labels. If plastic bags are dirty, they must be thrown in the trash.
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Retail stores and drop-off centres accept plastic film packaging
Plastic film packaging, such as bags and bubble wrap, is recycled differently than plastic bottles and containers. Most recycling facilities are not designed to handle plastic film, which can get stuck in the machinery. As a result, plastic film packaging is not accepted by most curbside recycling programs.
However, there are many retail stores and drop-off centres that do accept plastic film packaging for recycling. These include large retailers, grocery stores, and other participating retail stores. Consumers can collect and save their plastic film packaging and bring it to these stores to recycle.
Retail store drop-off programs are typically sponsored by the retailers themselves, who collect plastic film packaging from consumers and back-haul it to businesses that recycle it into new products. Some flexible plastic packaging may not be accepted by these programs, so it is important to verify before dropping off.
To find a drop-off location near you, you can use resources such as the Plastic Film Recycling Directory, managed by the Flexible Film Recycling Alliance (FFRA), or the NexTrex Drop Off Directory. These databases provide information on stores that offer bins for plastic bag and film recycling, and they are constantly being updated with new locations.
Additionally, certain labels can help you identify how and where to recycle different materials. The How2Recycle label provides clear recycling instructions, while the Smart Label is a QR code that offers more detailed information on recycling.
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Plastic film packaging is recycled into new products
Plastic film packaging is not typically recycled through curbside collection programs. This is because plastic film can get stuck in the machinery at material recovery facilities (MRFs), causing the lines to halt. Additionally, some plastic film packaging is made of multiple layers of different materials, making it difficult to recycle or break down. Therefore, plastic film packaging should be recycled through specialised store drop-off programs.
There are thousands of retail stores and drop-off centres across the United States that accept plastic film packaging for recycling. Large retailers often have recycling bins where consumers can drop off their plastic film packaging. These retailers then back-haul the collected plastic film to multiple businesses that recycle it into new products.
Plastic film packaging can be recycled into a variety of new products. One common product is composite lumber, which is used for decking, benches, playground sets, and park benches. Plastic film can also be reprocessed into small pellets, which can be made into new bags, pallets, containers, crates, and pipes.
The Flexible Film Recycling Alliance (FFRA) is working to add alternative collection systems beyond retail drop-off to their searchable database. This will allow consumers to easily identify their best options for flexible film recycling. Additionally, new sortation techniques and technologies are being developed to capture more plastic film packaging from households.
While plastic film packaging can be recycled into new products, it is important to note that not all types of plastic film are recyclable. It is crucial to check with local recycling guidelines or drop-off locations to ensure that the specific type of plastic film is acceptable for recycling.
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Plastic bags must be clean and free of food residue
Plastic bags and film plastics cannot be recycled in regular household recycling bins. They should only be placed in film plastics recycling bins, and even then, they must be clean and free of food residue. If your plastic bags are dirty, they must be thrown in the trash.
Clean plastic bags can be recycled at most big box stores, supermarkets, and chain pharmacies. Many of these stores have film plastics recycling collection bins available to customers in visible, easily accessible locations.
It is important to check whether your local store accepts plastic film for recycling before dropping it off. Some flexible plastic packaging is not accepted through these programs.
Once collected, the flexible plastic is typically sold to independent companies that turn them into tiny plastic pellets. These pellets can then be used to create new products such as composite lumber for decking, benches, playground sets, and new plastic films.
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Plastic film can be recycled into composite decking
Plastic film bags are not recyclable in most curbside recycling bins. They can get stuck in recycling equipment, causing a waste of time, money, and material. However, they can be recycled at participating retail stores and drop-off centers, which then recycle them into new products.
One such product is composite decking. Trex, for example, manufactures eco-friendly composite decks from a blend of up to 95% recycled plastic film and reclaimed wood. They source their reclaimed wood locally, ensuring that it would otherwise have ended up in a landfill. The recycled plastic film in their decking comes from various sources, including overwrap on paper towels, dry cleaner bags, sandwich bags, newspaper sleeves, and grocery and shopping bags.
Trex is one of the largest recyclers of polyethylene film in North America and has recycled over 5.5 billion pounds of it since its inception. Their decking portfolio is manufactured using up to 95% recycled and reclaimed content. They also host the NexTrex Recycling Challenge, which educates the public on the importance of plastic film recycling. Through this challenge, they encourage groups to collect and recycle plastic film, offering a Trex bench as a reward for those who meet their recycling goal.
Another example of recycled plastic composite decking is Miura Board®, which is composed solely of waste material and can itself be recycled at the end of its long working life. It is a viable replacement for wood, offering a strong, waterproof, and flexible material that is highly resistant to rot and damage. Miura Board® is often used in non-residential structures for roofing, siding, and cladding, as well as in parks for decking and walkways.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, but they need to be recycled at specific locations.
Plastic film bags can be recycled at specific retail stores and drop-off centres. You can check the Plastic Film Recycling Directory, managed by the Flexible Film Recycling Alliance (FFRA), to find a location near you.
Plastic film bags can slow down the recycling process and get stuck in recycling equipment. They are typically recycled separately and turned into products like lumber, decking, and new plastic films.
Clean plastic bags that do not contain any food residue or labels can be recycled. Some common types of recyclable plastic film bags include shopping bags, stretchy plastic wraps, and bubble wrap.
If you cannot find a nearby location to recycle plastic film bags, you can contact your local recycling entity for more information or refer to online directories, such as the NexTrex Directory, to find alternative options.
