Alexei Volkov
Plastic bags, films, and wraps cannot be recycled in most curbside recycling bins. Instead, they can be taken to participating retail and grocery stores for recycling. Before bringing plastic films to a store, it is important to ensure that they are clean and dry to prevent contamination and allow for continuous recycling. Some flexible plastic packaging may not be accepted, so it is important to verify before dropping off. To find a drop-off location, individuals can search for a store drop-off directory or a list of retail chains by state.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic film recycling | Plastic bags, films, and wraps cannot be recycled in most curbside recycling bins. |
| Store drop-off recycling | A retailer-sponsored program that collects plastic bags and other flexible plastic packaging in their stores. |
| How2Recycle label | Look for the How2Recycle Store Drop-Off label or scan the Smart Label on your package for guidance on where and how to recycle flexible films. |
| Cleaning | Clean plastics ensure they can be recycled effectively without contaminating other materials. |
| Accepted items | Plastic film that can stretch and has an equilateral triangle with resin codes 2 or 4 on it can be recycled. |
| Retailers | Retailers collect plastic film packaging from consumers and from back-of-the-store packaging. |
| NexTrex Directory | A list of retail chains by state that accept plastic film for recycling. |
| Trex Company | One of the largest recyclers of plastic bags/wraps. A 500-square-foot composite Trex deck contains about 140,000 recycled plastic bags. |
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What You'll Learn
Retailers that accept plastic film for recycling
Plastic bags, films, and wraps cannot be recycled in most curbside recycling bins. Instead, they can be taken to retail and grocery stores for recycling.
Stina Inc., a mission-based research and technology company, previously managed a free online directory for finding drop-off locations for plastic film recycling. However, this directory is no longer available. Stina Inc. now recommends the NexTrex Directory, which provides a list of retail chains by state that accept plastic film for recycling. The Trex Company, which runs the NexTrex program, buys baled plastic film and processes it into composite decking.
The How2Recycle website also provides information on store drop-off locations for flexible plastic packaging recycling. After collection, the flexible plastic is baled and sold to independent companies to be recycled into synthetic lumber for decking or park benches or directly into another film, pouch, or bag form.
It is important to note that any plastic film items that have had contact with food or other products that may leave residue should be clean and dry before being placed in the recycling bin.
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How to prepare plastic film for recycling
Preparing plastic film for recycling involves several steps to ensure it can be effectively recycled without contaminating other materials. Here is a detailed guide on how to prepare plastic film for recycling:
Cleaning:
Firstly, it is essential to clean the plastic film to remove any residue. This can be done by giving it a light wipe with a dry cloth. It is important to ensure that the plastic is clean and dry before dropping it off for recycling. This is because food residue or other products can contaminate other materials during the recycling process.
Checking for Accepted Plastics:
Not all plastic films are recyclable. Generally, if the plastic film can stretch and has an equilateral triangle with resin codes 2 or 4 on it, it can be recycled. These are typically thin film polyethylene plastics. However, it is always good to check the accepted items list provided by your local recycling program.
Drop-Off or Curbside Recycling:
Some plastic films cannot be recycled through curbside recycling bins. Instead, they need to be taken to specific drop-off locations, such as retail and grocery stores, for recycling. Check for labels on the plastic film packaging, such as the How2Recycle Store Drop-Off label, for guidance on where and how to recycle them.
Gathering in Bulk:
Before dropping off your plastic film for recycling, gather a large quantity of it in a plastic bag or another container. Bringing items in bulk saves time and supports better recycling practices.
Removing Non-Recyclable Elements:
If your plastic film has any non-recyclable elements, such as metal components or substances that add grease, dirt, or oil, these should be removed or cleaned off as much as possible.
By following these steps, you can effectively prepare plastic film for recycling, contributing to reducing plastic waste and promoting the reuse of these materials.
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What happens to recycled plastic film
Plastic film is a thin and stretchy type of plastic commonly found in materials like grocery bags, bubble wrap, Ziploc bags, dry cleaning bags, and plastic shipping envelopes from online retailers. It is also used in bread bags, newspaper bags, and the bags in grocery store produce sections.
Plastic film is difficult to recycle through curbside collection for a few reasons. Firstly, its thin and stretchy nature means it can tangle up sorting machinery in recycling facilities. Secondly, there is not a large demand for recycled plastic film, so many recycling services do not consider it worth the time and effort to recycle at scale. In 2018, only 11% of plastic film in the US was recycled.
Because of these issues, plastic film is often recycled through specialty recyclers, with drop-off sites located in or outside the entrances of supermarkets or large retailers. However, the number of these sites decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, and there are concerns about contamination of the bins with other materials, reducing the likelihood of the plastic film being recycled.
Some companies, like Ridwell, offer to pick up plastic film from consumers' doorsteps and deliver it to their recycling partners. These recycling companies turn the plastic film into products like composite decking for homes.
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How to find a drop-off location
To find a drop-off location for recycling plastic film, you can follow these steps:
Firstly, look for the How2Recycle Store Drop-off label on the plastic film packaging. This label is usually found on flexible polyethylene-based plastics, such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE). The presence of this label indicates that the plastic film is eligible for Store Drop-off recycling.
Next, check with your local municipality or council to find out more about the specific recycling programs they offer and the types of plastic they accept. This step is crucial as not all areas may have the same recycling capabilities or accept the same materials.
Then, once you have confirmed that your local area does accept plastic film for recycling, you can bring your clean and dry plastic film to participating retailers. The collection bins for plastic film are typically located near the front of the store or in the entryway, making it convenient for customers to drop off their recyclables.
It is important to note that not all types of plastic film are compatible with the Store Drop-off stream, so always look for the How2Recycle label. Additionally, ensure that any plastic film that has come into contact with food or residue is thoroughly cleaned and dried before placing it in the recycling bin.
If you are unable to find a drop-off location through the methods mentioned above, you can refer to online directories. The NexTrex Directory, for example, provides a list of retail chains by state that accept plastic film for recycling. This directory is managed by Stina Inc., a company dedicated to supporting film recycling.
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Why plastic film can't be recycled at most recycling centres
Plastic film cannot be recycled at most recycling centres because it is not wanted or accepted by the recycling centre, meaning the centre cannot process it or there is not an established market for the material. Plastic film is lightweight and flexible, and when mixed with other recyclables, it can tangle the mechanisms and jam the machines used to sort recyclables. This endangers workers who have to clean it out of the equipment. Plastic film is considered a contaminant, and having it in the cart can cause the entire load to be unusable for recycling.
Most recycling facilities are designed to handle plastic bottles and containers, plus a few other types of plastic products. Plastic bags and wraps are recycled differently than bottles and containers and do not go in most curbside recycling bins. The plastics industry has advocated for a system of drop-off bins placed at the front of supermarkets and big-box retailers as an alternative recovery method.
However, it is important to note that some locations do accept plastic film for recycling. Before throwing away plastic film, individuals can check with their local recycling entity to see if it is accepted and ensure they are "recycling right." If plastic film is accepted, it must be completely clean and dry, with no food residue or debris, to be recycled. After collection, the flexible plastic is typically baled and sold to independent companies to be turned into tiny plastic pellets, which can then be made into synthetic lumber for decking or park benches or recycled directly into another film, pouch, or bag form.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic film is flexible plastic that has played a significant role in packaging since the 1930s.
Plastic film can fly into the air and get stuck in the machinery at material recovery facilities (MRFs).
You can recycle plastic film by taking it to a retail store with a recycling programme.
Ensure that the plastic film is clean and dry before dropping it in the bin.
The plastic film is baled and sold to independent companies. It can then be turned into tiny plastic pellets, which can be used to make synthetic lumber for decking or park benches, or recycled into another film, pouch, or bag form.
