Maya Ellison
Plastic air pillows are a common packaging material for shipping and deliveries. They are usually made from flexible plastic film, which is recyclable but not biodegradable. While many people throw them away, most air pillows can be recycled. However, they cannot be recycled in a normal single-stream curbside recycling bin as they can get caught in sorting equipment and cause damage. So, how can you recycle them?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reusability | Plastic air pillows can be reused to pack and store delicate items. |
| Recyclability | Plastic air pillows are generally recyclable. |
| Recycling process | Plastic air pillows cannot be recycled in curbside bins as they can damage sorting equipment. They can be recycled at specific store drop-off locations. |
| Cleaning requirements | Plastic air pillows must be clean and dry before recycling. |
| Biodegradability | Some plastic air pillows, like the Opus Bio Air Pillow, are biodegradable and compostable. |
| Plastic type | Plastic air pillows are typically made from HDPE or LDPE plastic. |
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What You'll Learn
Reuse plastic air pillows for packing or storing fragile items
Plastic air pillows are a handy way to protect your valuables during shipping, but what happens when you no longer need them? Instead of tossing them in the trash, consider reusing them for packing or storing fragile items. Here are some tips to get you started:
Collect and Reuse
Start by collecting the plastic air pillows you receive from online shopping deliveries or shipping packages. Even if you don't have immediate plans to ship something yourself, these air pillows can come in handy for packing delicate items. Keep them stored away in a closet or storage unit until you need them.
Packing and Storing Fragile Items
Plastic air pillows are excellent for cushioning fragile items and protecting them from breakage. When packing a box, simply place the fragile item in the centre and surround it with air pillows. The pillows will fill up the empty spaces and provide a soft barrier that absorbs shock during transport or handling. This method is perfect for packing fine china, glassware, or even sensitive electronic devices like game consoles.
Additionally, you can use plastic air pillows for long-term storage of delicate items. Wrap each item individually with the air pillows or fill the gaps in storage boxes to ensure your valuables remain scratch-free and intact over time. This technique is ideal for storing seasonal decorations, collectibles, or family heirlooms in attics, garages, or storage units.
Recycling Options
If you find that you have more plastic air pillows than you can reuse, recycling is another eco-friendly option. These pillows are typically made from flexible plastic film, such as HDPE or LDPE, which is the same material used for grocery or shopping bags. Most grocery stores and major retailers like Target, Walmart, and Lowe's accept these items for recycling. Simply puncture the air pillows to release the air, and then drop them off at a nearby collection bin. Remember to avoid placing them in your curbside recycling bin, as they can cause issues with sorting equipment at recycling facilities.
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Recycle them at a store drop-off location
Plastic air pillows are recyclable but not biodegradable. Before recycling them, ensure that they are not made with biodegradable or compostable plastic. These are not accepted for recycling and should be put in the trash or compost.
If you are unable to reuse your air pillows, you can recycle them at a store drop-off location. Thousands of grocery stores and retailers like Target, Walmart, and Lowe's will collect these items along with plastic bags and wraps for recycling. The American Chemistry Council provides a resource called the Plastic Film Recycling Drop-Off Directory, which provides locations where consumers can recycle most types of plastic film, including air pillows.
When recycling plastic bags, pouches, wraps, and films, ensure they are clean and dry. This means no crumbs, no food residue, and no liquid inside. You don’t need to rinse out and air-dry each bag, but if there are crumbs, shake them out. If the bag is damp, let the water evaporate before placing it in the bin. If there is a lot of food residue, it is best not to recycle it.
Some communities use Resin Identification Codes, often misidentified as "recycling numbers," to communicate what types of plastic they will accept. For example, flexible plastic packages with #2 or #4 are usually recycled at store drop-off bins. These flexible plastic packages are made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE), including grocery and produce bags, some bread bags, some plastic wraps, some plastic mailers, and some cereal bags.
Additionally, Sealed Air, the creators of BUBBLE WRAP® brand cushioning, offer recycling for their products at over 18,000 retail store drop-off locations nationwide. Their polyethylene foams are classified as #4 low-density PE (LDPE) material and can be recycled in LDPE recycling systems. Their products should be free of tape, labels, or any foreign materials before being recycled.
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Don't place them in your curbside bin
While air pillows are made from recyclable plastic, they cannot be recycled in a normal single-stream curbside recycling bin. Curbside bins are meant for rigid plastics like bottles and jugs, and the thin plastic film of air pillows can get caught in the machinery at recycling facilities, causing damage.
In fact, if you see a "How2Recycle Store Drop-Off" label on a package, it means that How2Recycle has confirmed that the package cannot be recycled through curbside recycling and must be recycled through store drop-off.
Instead, you can take your air pillows to local retail stores that collect plastic bags for recycling. Thousands of grocery stores and retailers like Target, Walmart, and Lowe's will collect these items, along with plastic bags and wraps, for recycling. The American Chemistry Council also provides a resource called the Plastic Film Recycling Drop-Off Directory, which provides locations where consumers can recycle most types of plastic film, including air pillows.
Before placing your air pillows in a store drop-off bin, make sure they are clean and dry. This means no crumbs, no food residue, and no liquid inside. You don’t need to rinse and air-dry each bag, but if there are crumbs, shake them out. If the bag is damp, let the water evaporate before placing it in the bin.
Additionally, if you are reusing your air pillows, they can be a great way to pack and store delicate household goods or fragile items in closets, garages, or storage units.
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Don't recycle biodegradable or compostable plastic air pillows
Do not recycle biodegradable or compostable plastic air pillows with your regular plastic waste. These pillows are made from different materials and require specific treatment for disposal.
Compostable plastic air pillows are designed to be added to a compost bin or pile, where they will break down over time. If you do not have access to a compost bin, you can check if your local waste management company accepts these items for industrial composting.
Biodegradable plastic air pillows are also not suitable for recycling with regular plastics. Biodegradable plastics require specific conditions to break down, such as high temperatures or exposure to microorganisms, which are not present in the recycling process for standard plastics.
Instead, you should check with the manufacturer or supplier of the biodegradable plastic air pillows to understand their specific disposal requirements. They may need to be sent to a specialized facility or processed in a certain way to initiate the biodegradation process.
It is important to follow the correct disposal methods for these products to ensure they break down as intended and do not contribute to environmental harm.
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Opus Bio Air Pillows are compostable
Plastic air pillows can be recycled by dropping them in storefront bins after puncturing them to release the air. However, air pillows made with biodegradable or compostable plastic should not be recycled and should be put in the trash or compost instead.
Opus Bio Air Pillows come in different sizes, including 8" x 4" and 8" x 8", and can be reused or recycled through composting. The pillows are supplied on a strip with easy-tear perforations between each cushion to ensure efficient packing. They are also available pre-inflated.
Opus Bio Air Pillows are an ideal solution for companies packaging a wide range of goods and products. They can be used as a void fill or protective wrapping and offer market-leading yield characteristics, making them exceptional value for money. The biodegradable cushions completely break down in 12 to 24 months when exposed to moisture, microorganisms, and oxygen, leaving no toxic or heavy metal residues.
Overall, Opus Bio Air Pillows provide a sustainable and cost-effective option for businesses looking to protect their products during transit while also reducing their environmental impact.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic air pillows are recyclable but not biodegradable. Before recycling, puncture the pillows to release the air and ensure they are clean and dry. Then, drop them off at a store bin at retailers like Target, Walmart, or Lowe's, or at a Sealed Air return location. Do not place them in your curbside bin as they can damage sorting equipment at recycling facilities.
Yes, but only if they are specifically labelled as biodegradable or compostable. For example, Opus Bio Air Pillows are made from a special plastic that is both biodegradable and recyclable. They can be safely added to a normal composting mixture, where they will break down completely in 12 to 24 months.
Plastic air pillows can be reused for packing delicate household goods or storing fragile items in closets, garages, or storage units. If you or your business ships goods frequently, you can reuse plastic air pillows for packaging.
