Chloe Zhang
Plastic bags are a common household item, but what do you do with them when they start to pile up? Plastic bags are not biodegradable, so they will sit in landfills for hundreds of years if not properly disposed of. Recycling is an option, but it's important to do so correctly as plastic bags can contaminate other recyclables and cause issues for recycling facilities. Many retail stores and drop-off centres accept plastic bags for recycling, but it's best to check with your local programme first. Reusing plastic bags is another option—they can be used for a variety of purposes, from lining trash cans to picking up dog waste. So, before tossing those plastic bags, consider recycling or reusing them to reduce waste and help the environment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic bags biodegrade | No, it takes hundreds of years for them to decompose in a landfill |
| Plastic bag recycling | Involves chipping the bags into pellets, which can be reprocessed into new bags or shipped to companies to be manufactured into plastic lumber |
| Plastic bag recycling bins | Available at retail stores, supermarkets, and pharmacies |
| Plastic bag recycling contamination | Plastic bags are the #1 source of contamination in a city's curbside program |
| Plastic bag recycling symbol | #2 or #4 plastic |
| Plastic bag reuse | Can be used for lining trash cans, storing plastic bags in cars for trash, separating wet clothes, wrapping shoes while packing, picking up dog poop, stuffing into purses/shoes to retain shape, wrapping fragile items while moving |
| Plastic bag disposal | Throwing them away is discouraged due to their non-biodegradable nature; recycling is preferred |
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What You'll Learn
Reuse them for trash cans, shoes, or fragile items
Plastic bags can be reused in a variety of ways for trash cans, shoes, or storing fragile items.
For trash cans, plastic bags can be used as bin liners, particularly for smaller bins in bedrooms and bathrooms. They can also be kept in cars as makeshift trash cans, hung from a seat's headrest, or stored in the glove box for riders who experience motion sickness.
When packing for a trip, plastic bags can be used to separate shoes from clean clothes. Simply slip your shoes into a plastic bag to prevent any dirt or debris from transferring to your packed outfits. During the trip, these bags can then be used to separate dirty and clean clothes in your luggage. Plastic bags can also help maintain the shape of your shoes and bags when not in use. Simply stuff the insides of your shoes or bags with a few plastic bags, similar to how packing paper or cardboard molds are used for new shoes.
Plastic bags can also be used to protect fragile items when moving or storing items. Wrap fragile items in one or two plastic bags and place them in a box stuffed with crumpled-up plastic bags for cushioning. This provides a similar function to bubble wrap or packing peanuts, ensuring your fragile items are protected.
Additionally, plastic bags can be used for various other purposes, such as picking up pet waste, lining paint trays, storing recycling, waterproofing holdalls, and cleaning. They can also be creatively reused for craft projects, such as weaving them into baskets, coasters, or even rugs.
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Recycle them at participating retail stores
Plastic bags are a common source of waste, and they can easily accumulate in your home. It is important to recycle them instead of throwing them in the trash as they do not readily biodegrade and would remain in landfills almost indefinitely.
You can recycle them at participating retail stores. Many large retailers have recycling bins outside or inside their stores, and they collect plastic film packaging from consumers and back-of-store packaging. These retailers back-haul the plastic film to multiple businesses that recycle it into new products.
Before dropping off your plastic bags at the recycling bins, ensure that they are clean and do not contain any food residue, receipts, stickers, or crumbs. These items will contaminate your bag load. You can also keep a bag collection bin in your house, such as a big garbage bag for all bags. Since plastic bags compact easily, you can fit 50 to 100 plastic bags in one garbage bag.
However, note that black plastic bags are harder to recycle and are sometimes omitted from store collection bins. This is because the plastic is dyed, producing dark pellets that limit reprocessing options.
If you are unsure about how to recycle plastic bags properly, always check with your local recycling entity.
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Make plastic yarn and craft items
Plastic bags can be used to make plastic yarn, also known as "plarn", which can then be used for crafting various items.
To make plarn, you will need to prepare your bag by removing any seems or extra parts of the bag that go outside the "tube" of the bag. Cut the bottom seam off the bag as close to the seam as possible to avoid wasting material. Do the same for the handles at the top. Once you cut off the extra parts, you will have a plastic tube. Fold the bag in half so that the closed sides are together, and then cut one-inch strips from the folded edge, stopping about an inch from the top edge. If you cut all the way up, you will have a skinny tube. When you have your continuous strip, wind your new plastic yarn into a ball.
There are multiple ways to cut up the bag into strips, such as the spiral method and the "slit skirt" method. With the spiral method, you open up the bag to a single layer with the uncut section in front of you. You will be cutting from the end of one slit to the start of another, working diagonally across the uncut space. With the "slit skirt" method, you flatten the bag so that the side gussets are folded out and the sides are straight, forming a rectangle. Then, trim the bag, removing the top of the bag where the handles are, and the bottom above the seam.
Once you have your plarn, you can use it to craft various items, such as coasters, a coupon pouch, a bracelet, a bowl, a bag, a rug, a flowerpot, or decorative flowers. You can also use the plarn to weave items, such as a tapestry or a basket.
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Use them for pet waste
Plastic bags are a significant contributor to the growing problem of plastic waste. They take centuries to decompose, often breaking down into harmful microplastics that pose risks to wildlife and ecosystems. With over 500 million plastic pet waste bags ending up in landfills each year, it is essential to consider eco-friendly alternatives.
One way to reduce plastic waste is to reuse plastic bags for pet waste. Instead of purchasing dedicated poop bags, you can use the plastic bags you already have lying around your house. This helps to reduce the amount of virgin plastic being used and gives plastic bags a second life before they head to the landfill.
When using plastic bags for pet waste, it is important to look for bags that are clean and free from food residue. Bread bags, potato chip bags, and newspaper bags are all suitable alternatives to dedicated poop bags. If you have a yard, a pooper scooper, shovel, or plastic jug can also be used to transport pet waste to the trash, but these will need to be washed and stored regularly.
To further reduce your environmental impact, consider using bags made from post-consumer recycled plastic. These bags help lower environmental impacts by reducing the amount of virgin plastic used. Look for bags with high recycled content, such as those made with 65% post-consumer recycled plastic. By choosing landfill-friendly pet waste bags, you can make a meaningful impact on reducing plastic pollution.
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Donate them to dog parks or Facebook groups
If you have loose plastic bags that you no longer need, consider donating them to dog parks or Facebook groups. Dog parks often have baggie dispensers for dog waste, and your donation can help keep the park clean and sanitary for all visitors. Reach out to your local dog park to see if they have a similar program in place and are accepting donations.
Alternatively, you can donate your plastic bags via Facebook groups. There are many "Buy Nothing" groups on Facebook where people offer items they no longer need to those who can use them. These groups are a great way to connect with your local community and ensure your plastic bags find a new home. Simply search for "Buy Nothing [your city/neighborhood]" on Facebook and request to join the group. Once you're a member, you can post about the plastic bags you have available, and someone in need of them is sure to reach out!
If you're unable to donate your plastic bags, there are still other ways to reduce waste. Plastic bags can be recycled, but they require special handling. Most plastic bags are made from high-density polyethylene (#2 plastic) or low-density polyethylene (#4 plastic). Before recycling, ensure any bags you're recycling have a #2 or #4 plastic symbol on them. If they don't, reuse the bags before eventually throwing them away. Remove any contents from the bags, such as receipts or crumbs, as these can contaminate the bag load. Keep a bag collection bin in your house, such as a large garbage bag, where you can collect all the plastic bags. Since they compact easily, you'll be able to fit a large number of bags in one garbage bag. Check with your local recycling program to see if they accept plastic bags for recycling and drop off your collected bags when you have a sufficient quantity.
By donating or recycling your plastic bags, you're helping to reduce waste and keep your community clean and environmentally friendly!
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Frequently asked questions
There are many ways to reuse plastic bags. For example, you can use them to line your trash cans, wrap shoes in a suitcase, or stash a few in your car for late-night trips to the drive-thru. You can also recycle them at participating retail stores.
First, make sure any bags you are recycling have a #2 or #4 plastic symbol on them. If not, you can’t be sure what plastic resin the bag is made from, so you should reuse it instead. Remove anything inside the bags, such as receipts, stickers, or crumbs, and then stuff a bunch of bags into one bag. You can then drop them off at participating retail stores, which will likely be grocery stores.
Plastic bags don't biodegrade, so they will take hundreds of years to decompose in a landfill. Recycling a ton of plastic bags saves 11 barrels of oil.
