Chloe Zhang
Plastic film is a common, thin, and stretchy type of soft plastic that is difficult to recycle. It is often found in grocery bags, bubble wrap, and packaging for household products. While it is technically recyclable, it is not accepted by most curbside recycling programs because it can tangle sorting machinery, leading to reduced productivity and profitability. As a result, plastic film must usually be dropped off at special recycling locations, but consumers often don't recycle it at high rates. However, there is ongoing research into improving plastic film recycling, and recycled plastic film can be upcycled or used to make new products.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic film recycling rate | 1.8% to 12% according to EPA, 85-90% according to GreenBlue |
| Plastic film products | Packaging for toilet paper, bubble mailers, cereal bags, grocery bags, bubble wrap, Ziploc bags, dry cleaning bags, plastic shipping envelopes, bread bags, newspaper bags, bags in grocery store produce sections, etc. |
| Plastic film recycling process | Clean and dry the plastic film, take it to the nearest drop-off location for collection |
| Plastic film recycling challenges | Gets tangled in recycling center sorting machines, contamination with other materials, lack of demand for recycled plastic film |
| Plastic film recycling solutions | Public and private collaborative programs, new recycling technologies, more recyclable materials for flexible packaging, MIT's new system for recycling common plastic types, California's SB 270 mandating minimum 40% post-consumer recycled content in reusable plastic retail bags |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic film recycling challenges
Plastic film is a versatile material used in packaging, construction, agriculture, and healthcare. However, its increasing use has led to a growing problem of plastic waste. While plastic film is technically recyclable, it is not accepted by most curbside recycling services. This is due to several challenges inherent in recycling post-consumer plastic film:
Tangling in Sorting Machinery
Plastic film is thin, stretchy, and easily tangled. When plastic film enters recycling facilities, it can tangle in the sorting machinery, requiring production to stop while workers cut the plastic film out of the equipment. This can be dangerous and reduces the productivity and profitability of recycling.
Low Demand and Collection Rates
There is not much demand for recycled plastic film, so it is often not considered worth the time and effort to recycle at scale. In 2018, only 11% of plastic film in the US was recycled, and collection rates can be as low as 1.8%. This is partly due to a lack of infrastructure and coordination between businesses and recyclers, as well as a lack of consumer awareness about how to properly recycle plastic film.
Contamination
Post-consumer plastic film is often contaminated with food waste, dirt, grease, and other materials, which can make it difficult or impossible to recycle. Multi-layer plastics, in particular, are challenging to recycle because the different layers of material are almost impossible to separate.
Limitations in End Markets
Retailer-placed barcode stickers can limit the end markets for recycled plastic film. While some recyclers may accept material with barcode stickers, others may not, reducing the potential market for recycled plastic film.
Despite these challenges, there are also opportunities for plastic film recycling. There is a growing demand for sustainable products, and technological innovations are making plastic film recycling more efficient and cost-effective. Governments are also enacting policies to promote plastic recycling and provide incentives for businesses to invest in recycling technologies and infrastructure.
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Plastic film recycling processes
Plastic film is a soft, stretchy, thin plastic commonly found in grocery bags, bubble wrap, dry cleaning bags, and newspaper bags. It is difficult to recycle due to its tendency to tangle in sorting machinery at recycling facilities, resulting in reduced productivity and profitability. Additionally, the low demand for recycled plastic film further discourages large-scale recycling efforts.
To recycle plastic film, it must be clean and dry. It can then be taken to speciality recyclers or drop-off locations, often found at supermarkets or big-box retailers. Some cities offer collection bins for plastic film, and store drop-off programs have been the primary means of recovering clean and dry bags. However, contamination of these bins with other materials remains a concern.
The Film & Flexibles Recycling Coalition works to identify and scale recovery methods for film and flexible packaging, aiming to divert such materials from landfills. Efforts to improve plastic film recycling include public-private partnerships for consumer education and the development of new recycling technologies. For example, MIT researchers have made advancements in recycling common plastic types like plastic film by using a cobalt catalyst to break down carbon chains in a consistent manner, producing molecules of propane that can be used as fuel or to create new plastics.
Recycled plastic film can be upcycled into various products, such as composite lumber for decks, benches, and playground equipment. It can also be reprocessed into small pellets to create new bags, pallets, containers, crates, and pipes. While plastic film recycling faces challenges, ongoing research and initiatives are working towards improving the recycling rate and finding new end applications for the material.
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Plastic film recycling technologies
Plastic film is a challenging material to recycle due to its thin and stretchy nature, which can cause it to tangle in sorting machinery at recycling facilities. Additionally, the limited demand for recycled plastic film reduces the incentive for large-scale recycling. However, several technologies and initiatives are being developed to improve the recycling of plastic films.
One approach is the use of advanced recycling technologies that break down plastic into its building blocks, allowing for the creation of brand-new plastic. This process, known as "upcycling," enables the production of various products, such as lumber for decking, fencing, and other outdoor applications. Companies like Trex, one of the largest recyclers of plastic bags, utilise recycled plastic film in their manufacturing processes.
Another technology being explored is the development of multi-material flexible films. These films consist of different layers of materials, such as paper, plastic, film, foil, or coated paper, providing enhanced durability and product safety. While their construction makes them more challenging to recycle, they can be beneficially reused through waste-to-energy facilities, a method commonly employed in countries like Japan.
To improve the collection and sorting of plastic film for recycling, various programs and initiatives have been implemented. For instance, the Hefty ReNew™ program offers curbside recycling of alternative plastics in select municipalities. Subscription services through specialty recyclers are also available in certain areas for a monthly fee. Additionally, some communities provide flexible film collection bins in public spaces like parking lots or community centres.
The Flexible Film Recycling Alliance (FFRA) is actively working to expand alternative collection systems beyond retail drop-off options. They are committed to transparency in their recycling efforts and aim to ensure the integrity of the process. Labels such as How2Recycle and Smart Label also assist consumers in understanding how and where to recycle different materials.
While the recycling landscape for plastic film is evolving, it is essential to note that local variations in recycling practices exist, and individuals should consult their local recycling entities for specific guidelines.
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Plastic film recycling locations
Plastic film is a soft, stretchy, thin plastic commonly found in grocery bags, bubble wrap, dry cleaning bags, and bread bags. It is difficult to recycle due to its tendency to tangle in sorting machinery, low demand, and contamination by other materials. However, it can be recycled at speciality recyclers or drop-off locations, often found in supermarkets or big-box retailers.
United States
In the United States, plastic film recycling is often managed through drop-off programs at stores or retailers. The NexTrex Directory provides a list of retail chains by state that accept plastic film for recycling. The Trex Company, which runs the NexTrex program, purchases baled plastic film and processes it into composite decking. Other recyclers, like EFS-Plastics, also purchase and process post-consumer film.
The American Chemistry Council (ACC) has been working to improve film recycling through coalitions, public education, and infrastructure funding. Their partnerships include a 2016 memorandum with the U.S. EPA and funding for proposals like "Accelerate Recycling," which promotes packaging fees to support recycling infrastructure.
California, United States
California's SB 270 mandates a minimum of 40% post-consumer recycled (PCR) content in reusable plastic retail bags, ensuring end markets for recycled film. A study in California by GreenBlue found that 85-90% of material placed in store drop-off bins was successfully sold to reclaimers like Trex.
Colorado, United States
In Colorado's front range, post-consumer plastic film is reliably sold to reclaimers, with Trex being one of the main buyers.
San Francisco, United States
In San Francisco, plastic film should be recycled or disposed of using take-back services or drop-off locations. A list of addresses and phone numbers for these locations is provided:
- 2350 Noriega Street, (415) 665-4565
- 735 7th Ave, (415) 683-4070
- 145 Jackson Street, (415) 982-3112
- 298 King St, (415) 633-1001
- 1000 Amador Street, (415) 621-6200
- 501 Tunnel Avenue, (415) 330-1400
- 1200 Irving Street, (415) 661-3220
- 375 32nd Ave, (415) 683-4102
- 4950 Mission Street, (415) 587-7200
- 15 Marina Blvd, (415) 661-3220
Canada
EFS-Plastics, a Canada-based company, purchases and processes post-consumer film into new film applications.
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Plastic film recycling rates
Plastic film is a type of soft plastic that is difficult to recycle. It is thin and stretchy, and can tangle up the sorting machinery in recycling facilities. It is also in low demand, so it is often not considered worth the time and effort to recycle at scale.
In 2018, just 11% of plastic film in the US was recycled. However, this figure may be misleading, as it does not account for the high rates of contamination in recycling bins. Plastic films are not allowed in most curbside recycling programs in the US, so the only recycling pathway for post-consumer plastic films is through retail return collection programs, such as drop-off bins placed at the front of supermarkets and big box retailers. These programs have been criticised for their inaccessibility and low participation rates.
The pandemic also spurred an uptick in plastic bag use, as already limited retail return options became even more scarce. However, some sources suggest that plastic film is being recycled at high rates. A study in California showed that 85-90% of the material put into store drop-off bins was successfully sold to reclaimers. In Colorado’s front range, post-consumer plastic film is a reliably sold material, with Trex as one of the main buyers.
Despite these efforts, the collection of plastic film remains a small proportion of the total amount of plastic film used. The Flexible Film Recycling Alliance (FFRA) manages a Plastic Film Recycling Directory, which provides information on where and how to recycle flexible films.
Overall, the recycling rates for plastic films are higher in Europe than in the US, due to the inclusion of plastic films in curbside or co-mingled collection programs.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic film is a type of soft plastic that is stretchy and thin. It is commonly found in materials like grocery bags, bubble wrap, dry cleaning bags, and plastic shipping envelopes.
Plastic film can be recycled through in-store drop-off programs. It is important to ensure that the plastic film is clean and dry before dropping it off at a collection bin. However, it is not typically recycled through curbside recycling programs as it can tangle up sorting machinery in recycling facilities.
Recycled plastic film can be upcycled into various products, such as composite lumber for decks, benches, and playground sets. It can also be reprocessed into small pellets to create new bags, pallets, containers, crates, and pipes. Additionally, researchers at MIT have developed a method to convert plastic film into propane, which can be used as fuel or to create new plastics.
