Chloe Zhang
Plastic wrappers are a common household item that many people are unsure of how to recycle properly. While plastic bags and wraps can be recycled, they are often not accepted in most curbside recycling programs. This is because they can get stuck in recycling equipment, causing delays and inefficiencies in the recycling process. As a result, it is recommended to recycle plastic wrappers at participating retail stores or drop-off locations. It is important to ensure that the plastic wrappers are clean, dry, and free of residue before recycling them. Properly recycling plastic wrappers helps to conserve natural resources, keep streets and waterways clean, and protect wildlife.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic bags and wraps are recyclable | Yes |
| Where to recycle | Participating retail stores and drop-off centres |
| Plastic bags and wraps go in curbside recycling bins | No |
| Plastic bags and wraps can be recycled into | Composite lumber, small pellets, new bags, pallets, containers, crates, and pipes |
| Plastic bags and wraps are made of | Polyethylene plastic, #2 and #4 plastic resins |
| Plastic wraps and films accepted in curbside recycling | 18% of local authorities accept them |
| Plastic wraps and films accepted in Canada | Yes |
| Plastic wraps and films accepted in the US | No |
| Plastic wraps and films should be | Clean, dry, free of residue, and without food |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic wrappers cannot be recycled in household bins
Plastic wrappers can be recycled, but they cannot be recycled in household bins. This is because most recycling facilities are designed to handle plastic bottles and containers, and a few other types of plastic products. Stretchy plastic bags and wraps often get stuck in recycling equipment, requiring workers to shut down the machinery and remove the plastic, wasting time, money, and material.
In fact, plastic bags and wraps should not go in most curbside recycling bins. Instead, they should be taken to participating retail store recycling bins. These include grocery stores, which collect plastic bags, and other large retailers. Many of these stores have recycling bins outside or inside their stores.
However, it is important to note that not all plastic wrappers are recyclable. If you are unsure about whether a plastic wrapper can be recycled, it is best to leave it out of the recycle bin. Contamination of recyclables with non-recyclables can be detrimental to the recycling process.
To recycle plastic wrappers, ensure that they are clean and dry before dropping them into the store recycling bin. This is because recyclers want materials that they can process and sell. Food and liquid residue on plastic wrappers can contaminate the rest of the recyclables.
In New York State, certain retail stores and most grocery stores are required by law to collect film plastics from customers for recycling. These stores must make film plastics recycling collection bins available to customers in a visible and easily accessible location.
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Plastic wrappers can be recycled at some retail stores
In the United States, plastic wrappers are generally not accepted in curbside or drop-off recycling programs. However, many retail stores, such as Target and Walmart, now have collection bins for plastic film recycling. These bins are typically located near the front of the store. It is important to ensure that the plastic wrappers are clean, dry, and free of residue before placing them in the recycling bins.
In New York State, certain retail stores and most grocery stores are required by law to collect film plastics, including plastic wrappers, from customers for recycling. Similar initiatives are being implemented in the United Kingdom, with some supermarkets providing collection points for plastic wrappers at the front of their stores.
While recycling plastic wrappers is important, it is even better to reduce and reuse plastic whenever possible. For example, reusing a plastic carrier bag until it falls apart can help keep it out of the recycling stream for longer. Additionally, initiatives like the UK Plastics Pact aim to eliminate unnecessary plastic packaging altogether.
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Plastic wrappers must be clean, dry, and free of residue
To recycle your plastic wrappers, you can take them to a drop-off location, such as a retail store or a grocery store. Many large retailers, such as Target and Walmart, now accept plastic bags, wraps, and films for recycling. You can look for a bin near the front of the store or use a recycling locator to find your nearest drop-off point.
It is worth noting that plastic wrappers should not be put in household recycling bins or regular curbside recycling bins. They need to be recycled separately at designated drop-off locations.
By ensuring that your plastic wrappers are clean, dry, and free of residue, you are helping to conserve natural resources, keep streets and waterways clean, and protect wildlife.
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Plastic wrappers can be recycled into composite lumber
Recycling plastic wrappers is a multi-step process. First, plastic film packaging is collected from consumers and retail stores. This includes plastic bags, grocery bags, garment bags, retail bags, newspaper bags, dry cleaning bags, produce bags, bread bags, cereal bags, bubble wrap, shipping envelopes, furniture and electronic wrap, food containers, bottles, degradable and compostable bags, salad bags, frozen food bags, chip bags, and snack wrappers. It is important to ensure that the plastic wrappers are clean, dry, and free of residue before recycling. Receipts and labels should be removed.
The collected plastic wrappers are then recycled into composite lumber. This process involves pulling the plastic wrappers from landfills and transforming them into lumber through a process that gives them the same finished dimensions as wood lumber. The resulting plastic lumber is strong and durable, with the added benefit of being eco-friendly.
While plastic wrappers can be recycled, it is worth noting that they are not accepted in most curbside recycling bins. Instead, they can be taken to participating retail stores and drop-off centres for recycling. Some larger supermarkets also have collection points for plastic wrappers at the front of their stores. It is always a good idea to check with local recycling entities to ensure proper recycling practices.
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Plastic wrappers are not accepted in most curbside recycling programs
Plastic bags and wrappers can be recycled, but they are not accepted in most curbside recycling programs. This is because they are recycled differently than bottles and containers, and most recycling facilities are designed to handle those types of plastic products. Stretchy plastic bags and wraps often get stuck in recycling equipment, requiring workers to shut down the machinery and remove the plastic, wasting time, money, and material.
However, there are still ways to recycle plastic bags and wrappers. Many retail stores and drop-off centers, including large grocery stores, accept plastic film packaging for recycling. In the US, TREX runs two plants that take plastic film from grocery stores and is building a third. There are also independent companies that buy flexible plastic from these stores and turn it into plastic pellets, which can be made into new bags, pallets, containers, and more.
In the future, more councils and local authorities are expected to accept plastic bags and wrappers in their kerbside collections. For example, a program launched by Dow and Waste Management in a Chicago suburb allows residents to recycle plastic film packaging curbside, and the program is expected to scale up and reach 8% of US households by 2025.
In the meantime, it is important to check with your local recycling entity, as all recycling is local and there may be differences from town to town. To recycle plastic bags and wrappers, ensure they are clean, dry, and free of residue, and remove any receipts or labels.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic wrappers cannot be recycled in household bins and should only be put in film plastics recycling bins. Many large retailers and grocers, such as Target and Walmart, now have collection points for plastic wrappers at the front of their stores.
When plastic film is recycled, it is typically downcycled to make composite lumber, which can be used to make decks, benches, and playground sets. It can also be reprocessed into small pellets, which can be made into new bags, pallets, containers, crates, and pipes.
All materials must be clean, dry, and free of residue. Receipts should be removed, and food-soiled plastic wrappers should not be recycled as they can cause costly contamination during the recycling process.
