Ethan Clarke
Plastic films are a common feature of grocery stores, from the bags we use to carry our shopping to the plastic wrap used to cover produce, meat, and other products. While the thin, lightweight nature of these plastics means they are not accepted by most curbside recycling programs, many grocery stores and large retailers such as Target and Walmart now offer in-store recycling programs for plastic films. This includes grocery bags, bread bags, dry cleaning bags, Ziploc-type bags, newspaper bags, and plastic wrap.
Characteristics and Values of recyclable plastic films
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recyclable plastic resins | #2 and #4 |
| Plastic film packaging | Grocery bags, produce bags, bread bags, dry-cleaning bags, Ziploc-type bags, newspaper bags, industrial shrink-wrap, air pillows, bubble wrap |
| Plastic film packaging collection | Retail store recycling bins, drop-off locations, curbside recycling (in some municipalities) |
| Plastic film packaging state | Clean and dry, with stickers and labels removed |
| Plastic film packaging recycling process | Downcycled to make composite lumber, synthetic lumber for decking or park benches, recycled into another film, pouch or bag |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic films are recyclable but not in regular curbside bins
Plastic films are recyclable, but they cannot be disposed of in regular curbside bins. Plastic films include grocery bags, produce bags, bread bags, dry-cleaning bags, Ziploc-type bags, newspaper bags, industrial shrink-wrap, air pillows, and bubble wrap. They can be recycled at most grocery stores, big-box stores, or at specific drop-off locations.
Plastic films are not accepted in curbside recycling because they can cause issues at recycling sorting plants. They can tangle in the recycling equipment, causing it to jam and break. Additionally, the U.S. recycling infrastructure is not designed to handle small, thin, lightweight plastic film wrappers. At material recovery facilities (MRFs), plastic wrapping can fly into the air and get stuck in the machinery, causing operational disruptions.
To recycle plastic films, consumers should look for store drop-off recycling programs, which are often sponsored by retailers. These programs collect plastic bags and other flexible plastic packaging in their stores. Consumers can collect and bring qualifying plastic films to these drop-off locations. It is important to verify which types of plastic films are accepted by the program. Before dropping off the plastic films, ensure they are clean and dry, with any stickers or labels removed.
Some flexible plastic packaging might not be accepted through store drop-off programs. In such cases, consumers can explore other options, such as subscription services through specialty recyclers, which are available in select municipalities for a monthly fee. Additionally, certain communities may provide flexible film collection bins in public parking lots or community centers.
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Retailers accept plastic films 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.
Store drop-off recycling is a retailer-sponsored program that collects plastic bags and other flexible plastic packaging in their stores. Consumers can collect and save qualifying plastic films and bring them to stores to recycle. However, it is important to verify that the store drop-off location accepts the particular type of flexible plastic packaging before dropping it off.
Plastic films that are typically accepted for recycling include grocery bags, produce bags, bread bags, dry-cleaning bags, Ziploc-type bags, newspaper bags, industrial shrink-wrap, air pillows, and bubble wrap. Plastic wrapping, such as that around paper towels and toilet paper, can also be included.
Before bringing plastic films to a store drop-off location, it is important to ensure that they are clean and dry, with any residue, stickers, and labels removed. This helps to prevent contamination and ensures that the plastic films can be effectively recycled.
Several labels, including the How2Recycle label and Smart Label, exist to help consumers know how and where to recycle different materials. The How2Recycle label is a third-party, standardized labeling system that provides clear recycling instructions to the public. The Smart Label is a QR code that provides information on recycling as well as other information that consumers may find useful.
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Plastic films are recycled into new products
Plastic films are commonly used in grocery stores for packaging and wrapping. While they are lightweight and flexible, these properties also make them difficult to recycle. In the US, curbside recycling is not equipped to handle plastic films, as they can fly into the air and get stuck in machinery at material recovery facilities (MRFs).
However, many grocery stores and large retailers do accept plastic films for recycling. Consumers can collect and drop off their plastic films at these locations, ensuring they are clean and dry. Some stores may also accept plastic films from their own packaging. The plastic films are then sold to companies that recycle them into new products.
One primary use for recycled plastic films is durable plastic or composite lumber for decking, fences, and other outdoor uses. Recycled plastic can also be used for construction materials, stormwater management systems, and new flexible plastic films. For example, Trex, a company that recycles plastic films, states that a 500-square-foot composite Trex deck contains about 140,000 recycled plastic bags.
Additionally, researchers at MIT have developed a new system for recycling plastic films and other common plastic types. They use a cobalt catalyst to break down the carbon chains in plastic polymers, producing molecules of propane. This process can convert 80% of plastic polymers into propane, which can be used as fuel or to make new plastics.
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Plastic films must be clean and dry before recycling
Plastic films are a major contributor to global waste, and while they can be recycled, it is important to ensure that they are clean and dry before recycling. This is because recyclers want materials they can process and sell, and they do not want food, liquids, or anything not accepted by their centre. Clean and dry plastic films can be recycled into new products, such as lumber for decking or park benches, or they can be recycled directly into another film, pouch, or bag form.
Plastic films, including grocery bags, produce bags, bread bags, Ziploc bags, newspaper bags, dry-cleaning bags, and industrial shrink-wrap, can be recycled at most grocery stores, big-box stores, or at specific drop-off locations. It is important to note that plastic films should not be placed in curbside recycling bins, as they can cause issues at recycling sorting plants, tangling in the equipment and causing it to jam and break.
Before taking your plastic films to a drop-off location, ensure that they are clean and dry. This means removing any food residue, liquids, or other products that may leave behind residue. Stickers and labels should also be removed. By ensuring your plastic films are clean and dry, you increase the chances of them being recycled into new products.
Additionally, when recycling plastic films, it is important to separate them by resin type to reduce the risk of contamination and allow for continuous recycling. Plastic films that are stretchy and have an equilateral triangle with resin codes 2 or 4 are usually recyclable. These resin codes indicate the type of plastic the item is made from, with #2 representing High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and #4 representing Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE).
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Plastic films include grocery bags, bread bags, bubble wrap, etc
Plastic films, including grocery bags, bread bags, and bubble wrap, can be recycled at most grocery stores and big-box stores, or at specific drop-off locations. These drop-off locations can be found using online recycling search tools. It is important to ensure that the plastic is clean and dry, with stickers and labels removed, before placing it in the recycling bin.
Plastic films are typically recycled into composite lumber, which can be used for decking, fences, and other outdoor applications. They can also be recycled into new packaging, which may be recycled again using advanced recycling technologies. However, it is important to note that plastic films should not be placed in curbside recycling bins as they can cause issues in recycling equipment. Instead, they should be taken to designated drop-off points or participating retail stores.
To identify if a plastic film is recyclable, look for an equilateral triangle with resin codes 2 or 4 on it. These codes indicate the type of plastic resin used, which is typically polyethylene for flexible plastic films. Additionally, you can look for the How2Recycle Store Drop-Off label or scan the Smart Label on the package for specific recycling instructions.
It is worth noting that not all plastic films are accepted by recycling centers, and some may end up in landfills. This is because recycling centers are looking for materials they can process and sell. Therefore, it is always good to check with your local recycling entity to ensure you are recycling correctly.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic films are flexible plastic bags and wraps, often called plastic film packaging.
Plastic films that are recyclable include grocery bags, produce bags, bread bags, dry-cleaning bags, Ziploc-type bags, newspaper bags, industrial shrink-wrap, air pillows, and bubble wrap.
Plastic films can be recycled at most grocery stores by placing them in the drop-off bins provided. It is important to ensure that the plastic films are clean and dry before dropping them off.
Plastic films cannot be recycled with other plastics because they can cause issues at recycling sorting plants, such as tangling in the equipment and causing it to jam and break.
Recycled plastic films are often downcycled to make composite lumber for products such as decking, fences, and benches. They can also be recycled into new packaging or broken down into building blocks for reuse as brand-new plastic.
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