Omar Khalid
Plastic wrappers are a common household item, but what happens to them after we throw them away? With growing concerns about the environment, many people are now looking for ways to recycle plastic wrappers and reduce their environmental impact. While recycling plastic is essential, it is even better to avoid using plastic in the first place or to reuse it as much as possible before recycling. Plastic wrappers can often be recycled, but not always with your regular kerbside recycling. So, what is the best way to recycle plastic wrappers?
Should I Recycle Plastic Wrappers?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recyclable | Yes |
| Curbside recycling | No, except in a few locations |
| Retail store recycling | Yes, in many locations |
| Cleanliness | Must be clean and dry |
| Food residue | Rinse off any food residue |
| Sticky labels | Remove and put in the normal rubbish bin |
| Tape | Put in the normal rubbish bin |
| Reuse | Reuse plastic bags if possible |
| Machinery | Plastic bags can get stuck in recycling machinery |
| Future | More recycling pilot programs are being introduced |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic wrappers can be recycled at some grocery stores
Recycling plastic wrappers is an important step towards reducing waste and promoting the reuse of plastic resources. While only about 12% of plastic bags and films are currently recycled in the United States, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the demand for clean scrap film is growing. By reducing, reusing, and recycling plastic wrappers, individuals can play a crucial role in lessening the negative environmental impacts of plastic waste.
It is worth noting that recycling practices may vary from location to location, so it is always a good idea to check with your local recycling guidelines or use a Recycling Locator to find the nearest drop-off point for plastic wrappers. Additionally, some plastic wrappers may not be recyclable, such as those that have contained frozen food or pre-washed salad mixes. These non-recyclable wrappers should be disposed of separately to avoid contaminating the recyclable materials.
Overall, plastic wrappers can be recycled at select grocery stores and other drop-off sites, but it is important to stay informed about the specific recycling practices in your area to ensure proper disposal and contribute to a more sustainable future.
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Plastic wrappers can be recycled into decking material
However, there are still ways to recycle plastic wrappers. While they cannot be recycled in most curbside bins, they can be recycled at participating retail and grocery stores. Many larger branches of supermarkets now have collection points for plastic bags and wrappers at the front of their stores. It is important to ensure that the plastic wrappers are clean and dry before taking them to the collection point. Sticky labels or strips of tape should be removed and disposed of in the normal rubbish bin, as they cannot be recycled.
One company that recycles plastic wrappers into decking material is Trex. Trex runs two plants that take plastic film from grocery stores and is building a third. The company buys plastic film from grocery stores, which can easily be collected by putting a box out front for consumers to drop off their plastic bags and wrappers. Trex's decking portfolio is manufactured using up to 95% recycled and reclaimed content, including recycled plastic film and reclaimed sawdust. The company saves about 1 billion+ pounds of plastic film and reclaimed wood from landfills each year and contributes to creating environmentally and socially responsible spaces.
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Plastic wrappers should be clean and dry before recycling
Plastic wrappers can be recycled, but the process is not as simple as recycling plastic bottles and containers. Plastic bags and wrappers are recycled differently and are not accepted in most curbside recycling bins.
Before recycling plastic wrappers, it is important to ensure they are clean and dry. This means rinsing off any food substances, such as sauce or juice, and removing any sticky labels or tape, which cannot be recycled. Clean plastics are important because they can be recycled effectively without contaminating other materials.
Plastic bags and wrappers can gum up the works in recycling machinery, causing a waste of time, money, and material. They can also fly into the air and get stuck in the machinery at material recovery facilities, causing the lines to halt. This is why they are not accepted in most curbside recycling programs.
However, there are still ways to recycle plastic wrappers. Many larger supermarkets and retail stores now have collection points for plastic bags and wrappers, often located at the front of their stores. It is worth checking whether they accept soft, flexible, or film plastics. Additionally, there are drop-off locations specifically for recycling plastic film. These plastics are then sold to independent companies and turned into products like lumber, decking, or new plastic films.
It is always a good idea to check local guidelines, as recycling programs can vary from town to town. Reusing plastic bags and wrappers is also an option to consider before recycling them.
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Plastic wrappers are not accepted by most curbside recycling programs
However, this does not mean that plastic wrappers cannot be recycled at all. While they are not suitable for most curbside recycling bins, there are alternative options available. Many large retailers and grocery stores, such as Target and Walmart, have started accepting plastic bags, wraps, and films for recycling. These programs are typically sponsored by the retailers themselves, who collect plastic bags and other flexible packaging in their stores. Consumers can gather and deliver these materials in bulk to improve efficiency and support better recycling practices.
It is important to note that not all flexible plastic packaging is accepted through these in-store programs, so it is essential to verify which materials are eligible before dropping them off. Additionally, it is recommended to ensure that the plastic wrappers are clean and dry before placing them in the recycling bins. This helps prevent contamination during the recycling process, ensuring that the plastics can be effectively recycled without harming other materials.
While recycling is crucial, it is even better to reduce plastic usage or reuse plastic items before considering recycling. For instance, reusing a plastic carrier bag until it is no longer usable helps to prolong its usefulness. Furthermore, initiatives like the UK Plastics Pact are working towards eliminating unnecessary plastic packaging. By advising supermarkets on removing plastic wrapping from fresh uncut fruit and vegetables, they aim to reduce plastic waste while ensuring that food does not go to waste.
Although plastic wrappers are not accepted by most curbside recycling programs, there are ongoing efforts to improve recycling methods and increase the acceptance rate. For instance, programs like the one launched by Dow and Waste Management in a Chicago suburb aim to scale up and reach more households in the future. By combining advanced recycling techniques and technologies, America's Plastic Makers set a goal to reuse, recycle, or recover 100% of U.S. plastic packaging by 2040.
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Plastic wrappers can gum up recycling machinery
Plastic wrappers can be recycled, but they often can't be recycled with other plastics in curbside recycling bins. This is because they can gum up the works, getting stuck in recycling equipment and causing machinery to halt. Workers then have to shut down the machinery and pull the plastic wrappers out, wasting time, money, and material.
The reason plastic wrappers cause these issues is that most recycling facilities are designed to handle plastic bottles and containers, which are easier to identify and separate into sellable streams of plastic. Plastic wrappers, on the other hand, are often stretchy, flexible, and lightweight, which means they can get stuck in the machinery or fly into the air.
However, this doesn't mean that plastic wrappers can't be recycled at all. Many grocery stores and large retailers, such as Target and Walmart, now have collection points for plastic bags and wrappers at the front of their stores. These retailers often have robust systems in place for collecting plastic bags, and the recycled plastic can be used to make decking material, park benches, construction materials, and new plastic films and bags.
It's important to note that not all plastic wrappers are recyclable, and it's always a good idea to check with your local recycling entity or use a recycling locator to find out the specific guidelines for your area. Additionally, it's important to make sure that any plastic wrappers you're recycling are clean and dry, as wet or food-soiled plastic can cause contamination during the recycling process.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, plastic wrappers can be recycled. However, they are recycled differently than plastic bottles and containers.
Plastic wrappers should not be put in most curbside recycling bins as they can cause issues in recycling machinery. Instead, they can be recycled at participating retail stores and drop-off centers.
Examples of plastic wrappers include chocolate and sweet wrappers, yogurt lids, fish and meat wrapping, bread bags, supermarket shopping bags, dry cleaning bags, and bubble wrap.
It is important to ensure that plastic wrappers are clean and dry before recycling. Any food residue, sticky labels, or strips of tape should be removed and disposed of in the normal rubbish bin.
