Alexei Volkov
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue, and recycling is one way to reduce its impact on the environment. Flexible plastics, such as plastic bags, films, and wraps, cannot be recycled through most local curbside recycling programs due to their tendency to tangle with sorting equipment or clog machinery designed for recycling heavier plastics like bottles and containers. However, these flexible plastics can be recycled separately through dedicated programs and retailers. Recycling flexible plastics conserves resources, reduces waste, and lessens our environmental footprint.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic type | Flexible plastic, plastic bags, plastic films, polyethylene-based plastics, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE) |
| Recyclability | Not accepted by most local curbside recycling programs |
| Disposal method | Store drop-off programs, retailer-sponsored programs, dedicated plastics recyclers |
| Recycling benefits | Conserves resources, reduces waste, decreases environmental impact, reduces greenhouse gas emissions |
| Recycled products | Lumber/decking, benches, construction materials, new flexible plastic films, clothing, bags, door and window frames, exterior moldings, fencing |
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What You'll Learn
Retailers with flexible plastic recycling
Flexible plastic packaging is challenging to recycle, and it is this type of plastic that disproportionately accounts for the plastic waste accumulating in the environment, causing problems for ecosystems and human health. However, recycling flexible plastic films can save anywhere from 8 to 23% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions when compared to manufacturing virgin flexible plastics.
Some retailers have taken steps to address this issue by implementing flexible plastic recycling programs. For example, Aldi UK offers full visibility on the journey of flexible plastic packaging, from its premises through the recycling process to the end product. The Flexible Plastic Fund uses an AI-powered system, eco2Veritas™, to track and verify the recycling process, and Aldi receives funding from the Flexible Plastic Fund for each tonne of material that is verified as recycled. In February 2024, Aldi received its first certificate, confirming that 62 tonnes of post-consumer flexible plastic packaging and 25 tonnes of in-scope Polypropylene were recycled.
Publix is another retailer that has implemented a plastic bag recycling program. Publix collects plastic bags and other flexible plastic packaging in bins located in front of their stores. When the bins are full, the contents are sent back to a Publix Return Center, where the materials are compacted into bales and loaded onto a trailer. The recycler then transports the trailer back to their manufacturing facility for processing. Publix also encourages customers to bring reusable bags on their shopping trips and offers digital receipts to reduce paper waste.
The Hefty ReNew™ program is another example of a retailer-sponsored recycling initiative. This program is available in select municipalities and gives consumers the opportunity to recycle alternative plastics curbside. Additionally, the Flexible Film Recycling Alliance (FFRA) manages the Plastic Film Recycling Directory, which provides information on how and where to recycle flexible films. The How2Recycle label on products also offers detailed disposal instructions for consumers.
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Recycling flexible plastic films
However, flexible plastic films are not always accepted through local curbside recycling programs due to their soft and stretchy material. These plastics can become "tanglers" and clog recycling machinery designed for recycling plastic bottles, containers, and other heavier plastics. Therefore, it is essential to separate flexible plastic films and recycle them through dedicated programs.
One option for recycling flexible plastic films is to look for the How2Recycle label on products, which provides detailed disposal instructions. Additionally, consumers can seek out Store Drop-off programs, which are retailer-sponsored initiatives that collect plastic bags and other flexible plastic packaging in stores. The bin is usually located in the store's entryway, and consumers can bring their clean and dry plastic films for recycling.
Another option is to check with local recycling entities, as some may have specific instructions or requirements for recycling flexible plastic films. Some municipalities also offer pilot programs, such as the Hefty ReNew™ program, which allows consumers to recycle alternative plastics curbside.
It is important to note that not all flexible plastic films are recyclable due to their small, thin, and lightweight nature. However, recycled plastic films can be used to create new products such as lumber, decking, construction materials, and new flexible plastic films, among other applications.
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How to identify recyclable flexible plastic
Recycling plastic can be a complicated and frustrating process. It is important to first research and understand your town's legislation and rules for recycling so that you know what can and cannot be recycled in certain bins.
Recycling symbols can give you insight into where and how to recycle an item. The presence of a resin code, or Plastic Resin Identification Code, doesn't necessarily mean that the product can be recycled. It is the number inside the triangle that counts, because each number corresponds to a different type of plastic. The numbers within the recycling triangle are the Resin Identification Code (RIC) system and indicate which of the seven types of plastic resin were used to create a product.
Products that are labelled with numbers one and two are the easiest to recycle. Number one plastic, or PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate), is the most common plastic for single-use bottled beverages because it's inexpensive, lightweight and easy to recycle. Number two plastic, or HDPE (high-density polyethylene), is one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle and is accepted worldwide. Most recycling companies will collect HDPE material and take these to large facilities to be processed.
Number three, four, five, six and seven plastics are generally tougher to recycle and are not universally collected in local recycling programs. LDPE (low-density polyethylene) is a flexible plastic with many applications. Historically, it hasn't been accepted through most American recycling programs, but more and more communities are starting to accept it. PVC is also a soft, flexible plastic and can be recycled into synthetic lumber for decking or park benches.
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Why some flexible plastics aren't recyclable
Flexible plastics are notoriously difficult to recycle. While they are incredibly useful, they are also pesky and hard to recycle. This is because most of these kinds of plastics are made up of more than one polymer, making them harder to separate. Different polymers do not mix well when melted down, and small amounts of the wrong type can degrade the quality of a whole batch, causing it to be thrown away altogether as general waste.
Additionally, most waste collection vehicles do not have separate compartments for flexible plastics. Flexible plastic can easily get caught in sorting machinery at recycling facilities, causing jams and delays. This is why flexible plastic recycling can be more expensive. Curbside recycling is taken to material recovery facilities (MRFs), where plastic wrapping can fly into the air and get stuck in the machinery, causing them to halt their lines.
Some flexible packaging is made of multiple layers that are difficult to recycle or break down. Thin bags or films can clog machines if not separated properly, which is why kerbside collections do not accept this mixed plastic recycling. The US recycling infrastructure isn't made for small, thin, lightweight plastic film wrappers.
Furthermore, only good-quality, clean plastics can go through the recycling process. Plastic with food residues is usually unable to be recycled. Recycling is an energy-intensive process that becomes more costly as additional steps such as post-consumer selection and washing are added. The market is also fragmented, making it difficult for people selling recycled plastic to find buyers.
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How to recycle plastic bags
Plastic bags are not accepted through most local curbside recycling programs due to their flexible material. Soft plastics like single-use shopping bags and films can become "tanglers" and clog recycling machinery used to recycle plastic bottles, containers, and other heavier plastics.
If you're unsure about how to recycle your plastic bags, look for the How2Recycle label on your items for detailed disposal instructions. An increasing number of companies are including these labels on their products. Recycled plastic films can be turned into products like lumber/decking, stormwater management systems, construction materials, and new flexible plastic films.
To recycle your plastic bags, look for a store drop-off label or scan the Smart Label on your package for guidance on where and how to recycle flexible films. Many retail stores and drop-off centers accept plastic film packaging for recycling and will have recycling bins outside or inside their stores. These retailers collect plastic film packaging from consumers and back-haul this plastic to multiple businesses that recycle it into new products.
If you're unable to find a store drop-off location, you can also try contacting your local recycling center directly to inquire about their plastic bag recycling capabilities. Some centers may have specific programs or partnerships in place to handle plastic bags and other flexible plastics.
Additionally, you can play a part in reducing plastic waste by opting for reusable bags instead of single-use plastic bags whenever possible.
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Frequently asked questions
Flexible plastic can be recycled at participating retail stores. Retailers will often have a bin in their entryway for this purpose.
Flexible plastic can clog recycling machinery, so it is often not accepted through local curbside recycling programs.
If the plastic film can stretch and has a triangle with resin codes 2 or 4 on it, it can be recycled. You can also look for the How2Recycle label on your items for detailed disposal instructions.
Recycled flexible plastic can be turned into plastic pellets, which can then be used to make products like lumber, decking, benches, new plastic films, and more.
