Plastic Recycling: Are Grocery Stores Accepting #4 Plastic?

Plastic recycling can be confusing, with many consumers unsure about what types of plastic can be recycled and in which ways. Most plastic bags are either resin code #2 or #4, with #2 being the most recycled type of plastic. However, #4 plastic, or low-density polyethylene (LDPE), is often not recycled due to the difficulty of doing so. While some grocery stores collect these bags for proper recycling, they cannot be put into standard recycling bins as they can get tangled in recycling equipment.

Characteristics and Values of #4 Plastic Recycling in Grocery Stores

#4 plastic bags are recyclable at some grocery stores

Plastic bags are a common feature of our daily lives, from grocery shopping to bread bags. However, the question of how to recycle them correctly is a complex one. Most plastic bags are either resin code #2 or #4, with #4 bags being made of low-density polyethylene (LDPE). LDPE is a flexible plastic that is widely used but is not as commonly recycled as #2 HDPE.

#4 plastic bags can get tangled in recycling equipment, so they are often not suitable for kerbside recycling bins. However, some grocery stores collect these bags for proper recycling, and they can be recycled at specific drop-off locations. It is important to check with your local store or municipality to find out if they accept #4 plastic bags for recycling.

Before recycling #4 plastic bags, it is essential to ensure they are clean and dry, free from food residue, and have any receipts removed. This is because dirty or contaminated plastics can impact the recycling process and may even result in a whole bag of items being sent to landfill.

Recycling plastic is a complex process, and it is always worth checking the specific guidelines for your area. However, by correctly recycling #4 plastic bags at participating grocery stores or drop-off locations, you can help reduce plastic waste and give these bags a new lease of life.

LDPE plastic is often not recycled

LDPE, or Low-Density Polyethylene, is a type of plastic that is widely used but not widely recycled. It is often used in the creation of common products like grocery bags, bread bags, cling film, and agricultural film. While LDPE can technically be recycled, it is not always accepted by recyclers due to the challenges and costs associated with the process.

One of the main challenges of recycling LDPE is that it often gets tangled in recycling machinery, requiring workers to stop the machines and remove the plastic. This can be time-consuming and cause damage to the equipment. Additionally, LDPE is often contaminated by food or other substances, making it necessary to go through a proper cleaning and sorting process before it can be recycled. This adds to the time, energy, and financial costs of recycling LDPE.

The low quality of LDPE also makes its recycling financially unviable. It is a cheap plastic, and the process of recycling it is complex and costly. Small quantities of LDPE can make recycling non-economical due to low efficiencies and high costs. As a result, most LDPE ends up in landfills, where it can take centuries to decompose.

Another issue with LDPE recycling is the lack of domestic markets for this type of plastic in some countries, such as the United States. Previously, much of the LDPE collected in the US was shipped overseas, primarily to third-world countries with less stringent environmental and worker safety standards. However, with recent measures taken by countries like China to reduce the influx of non-recyclable and contaminated materials, the markets for LDPE have dried up, further hindering its recycling.

Despite these challenges, some companies, like Miller Recycling, specialize in LDPE recycling and accept this type of plastic for processing. They also pay competitive prices for LDPE and other recyclable plastics, providing an incentive for businesses to recycle their LDPE waste instead of treating it as trash. Proper recycling of LDPE is crucial to prevent it from ending up in landfills, where it can leach chemicals into the soil and introduce them into the groundwater, posing a threat to both human health and the environment.

Plastic bags can get tangled in recycling equipment

Plastic bags, especially those made of LDPE or #4 plastic, can be recycled. However, they cannot be placed in your home recycling bin for curbside collection as they can get tangled in the recycling equipment, causing costly delays.

Plastic bags are the #1 tangler that sorting facilities encounter. They get caught in the rotating rubber "stars" that help move material through the system, slowing it down and eventually bringing it to a halt. This downtime limits the capacity at sorting facilities and requires workers to cut the bags loose, reducing the profitability of the recycling program.

Therefore, plastic bags should be recycled through specific programs, such as the WRAP Recycling Action Program, which provides nearly 18,000 drop-off locations, including many grocery stores. These drop-off bins accept polyethylene film, including high-density polyethylene (HDPE or #2 plastic) and low-density polyethylene (#4 plastic or LDPE).

It is important to note that plastic bags for recycling should be clean and dry, free of stickers, staples, and receipts, and stuffed into one bag tied at the top to facilitate easy handling by recycling workers.

Plastic bags must be clean and dry before recycling

Plastic bags are a common type of low-density polyethylene (LDPE or #4 plastic). LDPE is also used to make the bags that hold fresh produce, sliced bread loaves, and newspapers, among other things. LDPE products are sometimes recycled, but they are not always recycled.

Before recycling plastic bags, it is important to ensure they are clean and dry. This is because food residue or dirt can contaminate the entire batch of recycled plastic. It is also important to remove stickers, labels, staples, and receipts from the plastic bags.

Plastic bags should be recycled at a local grocery store or a local recycling facility. They should not be put into a home recycling bin or a standard recycling bin as they can get tangled in the equipment at recycling facilities. Some municipalities allow overflow to be bagged in large transparent recycling bags.

It is important to check the specific requirements for collection in your municipality. For example, some locations require residents to put all plastic bags into one bag and tie it at the top so that recycling workers can easily pick it up.

Plastic resin identification codes indicate recyclability

Plastic resin identification codes, also known as RIC, are a set of symbols that appear on plastic products to identify the type of plastic resin used to make them. They were developed in 1988 by the Society of the Plastics Industry (now the Plastics Industry Association) in the United States. The original purpose of the RIC system was to categorise plastic into types, ensuring consistency in plastics manufacturing and recycled plastics reprocessing. The presence of a resin code does not necessarily indicate that the product can be recycled. The number within the triangle is what matters, as each number corresponds to a different type of plastic.

The numbers 1 to 6 on plastic resin identification codes mean that the plastic packaging is made from one of six specific types of plastic. Number 1 indicates polyethylene terephthalate (PETE), which is the most widely recycled plastic and is used for clear plastic bottles. Number 2 stands for high-density polyethylene (HDPE), which is relatively easy to recycle and is the most recycled type of plastic. Number 3 represents polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products, which cannot be recycled. Number 4 signifies low-density polyethylene (LDPE), which is often not recycled and is used for plastic bags, grocery bags, and bread bags. Number 5 is for polypropylene (PP), which is used for auto parts, industrial fibres, and food containers like yoghurt pots. Number 6 stands for polystyrene, which is not recyclable in normal Local Authority collections.

Number 7 on plastic resin identification codes means that the packaging is made of a type of plastic other than the previous six, or it is a mixture of plastics. This includes bioplastics, composite plastics like crisp wrappers, and polycarbonate, which contains BPA. While the presence of a resin code does not guarantee recyclability, significant progress has been made to reduce the use of non-recyclable materials, especially in the food sector.

The How2Recycle" labels indicate the recyclability of a plastic product. They include "Widely Recycled," "Limited," "Not Yet Recycled," and "Store Drop-Off." These labels encourage consumers to check with local facilities to understand what plastics can be accepted for recycling.

Frequently asked questions