Maya Ellison
Plastic film is a tricky material to recycle, and it's important to know how to handle it properly. In New York, there are specific regulations in place for retailers and consumers to ensure plastic film is recycled correctly. So, is plastic film recyclable in NYC? The short answer is yes, but it's important to understand the specifics to ensure you're doing it right.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic film types | Bread bags, sandwich bags, produce bags, newspaper bags, dry cleaning bags, bubble wrap, packing pillows, shrink wrap from toilet paper/paper towels, etc. |
| Plastic film recycling | Plastic films can be recycled at specific retail stores and most grocery stores. |
| Plastic film recycling bins | Bins should be placed at reasonable intervals throughout malls and stores. Bins should be clearly marked and easily accessible. |
| Plastic bag requirements | All plastic carryout bags should state: "Please Return to a Participating Store for Recycling" or "Please Reuse or Recycle at a Participating Store." |
| Plastic film recycling process | Plastic film is turned into pellets, which can be made into synthetic lumber or recycled into bags, pallets, containers, crates, and pipes. |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic films include bread bags, newspaper bags, and bubble wrap
- Plastic films should not be put in household recycling bins
- Retail stores must provide film plastics recycling collection bins
- Plastic films can be recycled into composite lumber for decks and benches
- Plastic films can also be reprocessed into pellets to make new bags
Plastic films include bread bags, newspaper bags, and bubble wrap
Plastic films, including bread bags, newspaper bags, and bubble wrap, can be recycled in New York City. However, it is important to note that these items should not be placed in household recycling bins. Instead, they need to be taken to a designated film plastics recycling bin, which can be found in certain retail stores and most grocery stores. Stores with 10,000 square feet or more of retail space, as well as retail chains operating five or more stores with over 5,000 square feet of retail space, are required by law to provide plastic carryout bags to customers and establish an in-store film plastic recycling program.
These film plastics recycling bins are typically located in a visible and easily accessible area within the store. If you are unable to locate a collection bin in a regulated store, you can report it to the relevant authorities. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) can be contacted via email at [email protected] or by calling 518-402-8706.
It is important to ensure that the plastic films are clean and dry before placing them in the recycling bin. This is because these materials may have come into contact with food or other products that could leave behind residue. Once collected, the flexible plastic is processed into small pellets, which can then be used to create new products such as bags, pallets, containers, or pipes.
To identify if a plastic film is acceptable for recycling, you can perform the stretch test. If the plastic material stretches when pulled apart, it is suitable for the recycling program. Additionally, look out for labels on plastic bags that indicate they should be returned to a participating store for recycling. This label is required by law and helps ensure that plastic bags and film plastics are properly recycled.
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Plastic films should not be put in household recycling bins
Plastic films, such as bread bags, sandwich bags, newspaper bags, dry cleaning bags, bubble wrap, and shrink wrap, can be recycled in New York State. However, it is important to note that these items should not be placed in household recycling bins. Instead, they need to be taken to specific film plastics recycling bins or returned to retail drop-off locations.
Large retail stores and most grocery stores in New York State are required by law to provide collection bins for plastic bags and other film plastics. These bins are typically placed at reasonable intervals throughout the store or mall and are clearly marked for the collection of plastic carryout bags and film plastics. Stores are also required to recycle the film plastic they collect and must not dispose of it as solid waste.
If you are unsure whether a particular type of plastic film is acceptable for recycling, you can try the stretch test. If the plastic material stretches when pulled apart, it is suitable for the recycling program. It is important to ensure that any plastic film intended for recycling is clean and dry before placing it in the bin. This helps prevent the attraction of rodents and roaches.
Compostable bags are an exception and must not be placed in film plastics recycling bins or household recycling bins. Manufacturers and retailers should label compostable bags with "COMPOSTABLE BAG - DO NOT PLACE IN RECYCLING BIN" to ensure proper disposal. By following these guidelines, plastic films can be properly recycled and given a new life as composite lumber for decks, benches, and playground equipment, or repurposed into new bags, containers, and other products.
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Retail stores must provide film plastics recycling collection bins
Plastic films include bread bags, sandwich bags, produce bags, newspaper bags, dry cleaning bags, bubble wrap, packing pillows, and shrink wrap from toilet paper or paper towels. In New York, plastic films should not be put in household recycling bins. Certain retail stores and most grocery stores are required to collect plastic films from customers for recycling. Retail stores must provide film plastics recycling collection bins in a visible and easily accessible location. These bins must be clearly marked for the purpose of collecting and recycling plastic carry-out bags and film plastics.
The New York State Plastic Bag Reduction, Reuse, and Recycling Act has been in effect since 2009, with amendments including film plastics taking effect in 2015. This law applies to stores with 10,000 square feet or more of retail space and retail chains operating five or more stores with over 5,000 square feet of retail space. These stores are required to establish an in-store film plastic recycling program and make collection bins available to customers. Large mall stores with 50,000 square feet or more of retail space are also required to establish their own plastic carry-out bag and film plastics recycling programs.
Retail stores play a crucial role in facilitating the recycling of plastic films by providing designated collection bins. These bins are typically placed at reasonable intervals throughout the store or mall, making it convenient for customers to recycle their plastic films. It is important to ensure that the collected plastic films are properly recycled and not disposed of as solid waste. Stores are required to maintain records of their film plastics recycling programs, including the weight of the collected materials and their ultimate disposition.
Additionally, stores are encouraged to sell reusable bags and allow customers to use them for shopping. While the Bag Waste Reduction Act prohibits most stores from providing plastic carry-out bags to consumers, there are specific instances where it is still allowed. All plastic carry-out bags given to consumers must include a message such as "Please Return to a Participating Store for Recycling" or "Please Reuse or Recycle at a Participating Store." By following these guidelines, retail stores can actively contribute to reducing plastic waste and promoting environmental sustainability in New York.
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Plastic films can be recycled into composite lumber for decks and benches
Trex is a company that makes composite decks and benches from plastic film and reclaimed sawdust. Their products are weatherproof, long-lasting, and fire-resistant, and they don't need to be sealed or stained. However, some argue that turning plastic packaging into plastic decking does not count as recycling because it does not decrease the amount of new plastic that needs to be made. Additionally, the combination of sawdust and plastic means that Trex decking is not recyclable.
Despite this, recycled plastic lumber offers a low-maintenance, sturdy, and environmentally friendly alternative to wood. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) and fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) composites are two of the most common types of plastic lumber. HDPE is one of the most popular plastic materials in the world and is commonly used for containers such as plastic bottles and milk jugs. FRP is a polymer matrix made of resin and strengthening fibers such as basalt, carbon, glass, aramid, and/or asbestos.
Miura Board™ is an example of an FRP composite made entirely of recycled materials. It can be painted, coated, power-washed, and even welded, and adhesives easily stick to its surface.
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Plastic films can also be reprocessed into pellets to make new bags
Plastic films, such as plastic bags, wraps, and other film packaging, can be recycled in New York City. The New York State Plastic Bag Reduction, Reuse, and Recycling Act, effective as of January 1, 2009, includes film plastics in its amendments, which came into effect on March 1, 2015. This legislation applies to stores with a certain amount of retail space that provide plastic carryout bags to customers.
Plastic films can be recycled into many useful products. One option is to reprocess the plastic into small pellets, which serve as the foundation for creating new bags, pallets, containers, crates, and pipes. This process involves breaking down the plastic into monomers, such as propylene or propene, which can then be reused to make new plastics. For instance, polyethylene plastic bags can be transformed into polypropylene plastics through a chemical process that utilizes heavy metal catalysts.
The University of California, Berkeley, has developed a catalytic process that effectively breaks down the two dominant types of post-consumer plastic waste: polyethylene and polypropylene. Polyethylene is commonly found in single-use plastic bags, while polypropylene is used in hard plastics like microwavable dishes and luggage. This method, if implemented on a larger scale, could contribute to a circular economy for disposable plastics, reducing the need for new plastics derived from fossil fuels.
It's important to note that plastic bags and wraps are typically not recycled through curbside bins. Instead, they must be returned to designated drop-off locations, such as retail stores, for proper recycling. These locations will have clearly marked collection bins specifically for plastic bag and film plastic recycling. Additionally, stores are required to maintain records of their recycling programs, including the weight of film plastics collected and their ultimate disposition, for at least three years.
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Frequently asked questions
Film plastics are uncontaminated non-rigid film plastic packaging products composed of plastic resins. This includes bread bags, newspaper bags, dry cleaning bags, and shrink wrap.
Film plastics should not be put in household recycling bins. Certain retail stores and most grocery stores in NYC are required to collect film plastics from customers for recycling. You can also try the stretch test. If the plastic material stretches when pulled apart, it’s the right type of film plastic for this recycling program.
After collection, the flexible plastic is sold to independent companies. The process of turning these PE films into tiny plastic pellets begins. These pellets can become synthetic lumber for decking or park benches, or they might be recycled directly into another film, pouch, or bag form.
Contact the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation at 518-402-8706 or email [email protected] with any questions or compliance concerns.
Notify the NYSDEC via their online reporting form, by email at [email protected], or call 518-402-8706.
