Omar Khalid
Plastic bags are a common household item, but what happens when you want to get rid of them? Can you recycle them in Vermont? The answer is yes, but it's not as simple as throwing them in your blue-bin mixed recycling. Plastic bags can cause issues with recycling-sorting machines and need to be dealt with separately. Some recycling centers and grocery stores have special bins for certain clean and dry plastic bags, and polyethylene (PE) bags and films are accepted for special recycling at the District Transfer Station and participating grocery stores.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can you recycle plastic bags in Vermont? | Yes, but not in blue-bin mixed recycling. |
| Where to recycle plastic bags? | Some recycling centers and grocery stores have a special bin for certain clean and dry plastic bags. |
| What type of plastic bags can be recycled? | Only empty, clean, and dry plastic bags. Polyethylene (PE) bags and film plastics are accepted for special recycling. |
| How to prepare plastic bags for recycling? | Cut both ends off the bag, then turn it inside out to release residual dust. Alternatively, cut both ends off and cut the bag down one side to make an open plastic sheet. |
| What happens to recycled plastic bags? | Most of the plastic bags collected in recycling drop-offs are made into composite decking or trash bags. |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic bags should not be recycled in blue bins
It is important to note that not all plastic bags are recyclable. Only polyethylene (PE) bags and film plastics are accepted for special recycling in some locations. To identify if a plastic bag is made of polyethylene, you can try to stretch a small section of it. If the plastic easily stretches before tearing, it is likely made of polyethylene. On the other hand, if it is very crinkly or tears without stretching, it is not polyethylene and should be disposed of as regular trash.
Some grocery stores and recycling centers may have specific requirements for accepting plastic bags for recycling. It is always a good idea to check with your local waste district, town, or the individual store/center to understand their specific guidelines. Additionally, it is crucial to ensure that only empty, clean, and dry plastic bags are recycled, regardless of where you bring them.
By following these guidelines and avoiding placing plastic bags in blue bins, we can help prevent recycling machinery clogging and ensure the safety of workers while also properly disposing of and recycling plastic bags.
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Only recycle clean, dry plastic bags
Plastic bags can be recycled in Vermont, but it is important to ensure that they are empty, clean, and dry before doing so. This is because plastic bags are considered a "'film'" material, and recycling film is a difficult and complicated process.
Some recycling centers and grocery stores in Vermont have special bins for accepting certain clean and dry plastic bags. These bins are typically not the blue-bin mixed recycling bins, as plastic bags can get stuck in the recycling-sorting machines, creating a dangerous situation for workers. Instead, look for a drop-off location specified for plastic bags or check with your local waste district or town to find options near you.
When preparing plastic bags for recycling, ensure that they are completely empty and free of any residual contents. Clean and dry the bags, removing any paper labels or stickers, as these can contaminate the recyclable material. If the plastic bag is made of polyethylene (PE), both ends must be completely cut off, and the bag must be turned inside out to release any residual dust. Alternatively, both ends can be cut off, and the bag can be cut down one side to make an open plastic sheet.
Not all plastic bags are made of polyethylene, and only polyethylene bags and wraps are accepted in the special recycling programs. Polyethylene materials may be labeled with PE, HDPE, or LDPE and/or with a number 2 or 4. If the plastic easily stretches before tearing, it is likely polyethylene. If it is very crinkly, tears without stretching, or is labeled with a different number, it is not polyethylene and must be disposed of as trash.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your plastic bags are properly recycled in Vermont, contributing to a more sustainable environment.
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Polyethylene bags are accepted at special recycling centres
Plastic bags cannot be recycled in blue bins as they get stuck in the recycling-sorting machines, which can be dangerous for workers. However, some recycling centres and grocery stores in Vermont have a special bin for certain clean and dry plastic bags.
One such example is Addison County, Vermont, which accepts polyethylene (PE) bags and film plastics for special recycling at the District Transfer Station and participating grocery stores. Polyethylene materials may be labelled with PE, HDPE, or LDPE and/or with a number 2 or 4. If the plastic easily stretches before tearing, it is likely PE.
If you are unsure whether a bag is accepted for recycling, it is recommended to ask for help or throw the bag in the trash to avoid contaminating the bin. At recycling centres, ask what types of bags they take and how to prepare them for recycling. At grocery stores, only recycle the plastic bag types listed on the poster or the recycler's website.
Additionally, shredded paper is accepted in clear plastic bags as it is the first thing pulled off the recycling line. The paper is emptied into a bunker, and the plastic bags are then thrown into the trash.
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Plastic bags are recycled into composite decking
In Vermont, plastic bags cannot be recycled in blue-bin mixed recycling. However, some recycling centers and grocery stores have special bins for certain clean, dry, and empty plastic bags. Most of the plastic bags collected in recycling drop-offs are made into composite decking.
Another company that recycles plastic bags into composite decking is TimberTech. TimberTech is committed to using recycled materials in their outdoor living products and has a range of sustainable deck materials. Their decking is engineered from 60% to 85% recycled content, including grocery bags, milk jugs, and construction waste. TimberTech has partnered with thredUP, an online resale platform, to recycle their plastic film waste into TimberTech composite decking.
Through these initiatives, companies like Trex and TimberTech are not only creating eco-friendly decking options but also diverting significant amounts of waste from landfills and oceans, reducing their carbon footprint, and promoting sustainability.
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Plastic bags can be reused for food storage
Plastic bags are a major contributor to pollution, with an estimated 1.9 million grocery bags and other plastic bags collected from coasts in 2018. They are often mistaken for food by marine life, filling their stomachs with toxic debris and transferring plastic up the food chain to bigger fish and marine mammals. Microplastics are also consumed by people through food and air, with the average person consuming the equivalent of a credit card of plastic every week.
In Vermont, plastic bags can be recycled, but not in blue-bin mixed recycling. Some recycling centers and grocery stores have special bins for certain clean and dry plastic bags. However, it is important to check with your local waste district or town to find the appropriate options for recycling plastic bags.
Now, can these plastic bags be reused for food storage? The answer is yes, but with some important considerations. Firstly, plastic food storage bags are designed to be single-use and disposable, so reusing them may increase the risk of foodborne illnesses. However, in certain instances, it is possible to reuse them safely.
When reusing plastic bags for food storage, it is crucial to ensure that they are thoroughly washed and dried between uses. This helps prevent the growth of bacteria and removes any food particles that may be left behind. Plastic bags can be gently washed with soap and warm water, then dried completely before reusing.
It is recommended to reuse plastic bags for storing dry, non-greasy foods such as bread, crackers, pretzels, nuts, granola, or grains. These types of food are less likely to leave behind residue or create an environment for bacterial growth. It is important to note that plastic bags should not be reused for storing raw meat, fish, poultry, or dairy products, as these foods may increase the risk of foodborne illnesses.
While reusing plastic bags can reduce waste and save money, it is important to be mindful of the limitations. Reusing the bags once or twice is generally considered safe, but reusing them too many times can compromise their integrity and increase the risk of bacterial contamination. To ensure food safety and minimize environmental impact, it is recommended to transition to more sustainable options, such as glass, stainless steel, or silicone containers, which are safer for food storage and create less waste.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, but not in blue-bin mixed recycling. Plastic bags get stuck in the recycling-sorting machines, which can be dangerous for workers.
Some recycling centres and grocery stores have a special bin for certain clean and dry plastic bags. Ask your local waste district or town if there are options near you or look for a drop-off at plasticfilmrecycling.org.
Only empty, clean, and dry plastic bags should be recycled. Polyethylene (PE) bags and film plastics are accepted at the District Transfer Station and participating grocery stores. To identify PE bags, look for labels with PE, HDPE, or LDPE and/or a number 2 or 4. If the plastic easily stretches before tearing, it is likely PE.
Ensure that the plastic bags are empty, clean, and dry. Remove any non-polyethylene materials, such as paper labels, stickers, and wood pellet dust, as these contaminants reduce the value of the recyclable material.
The recycled plastic bags are collected and aggregated by waste management companies, who bale and ship the materials to manufacturers. Currently, there are no manufacturers in Vermont that use post-consumer plastic film, so the collected film is shipped to other states or Canadian provinces for processing.
