Maya Ellison
Recycling is an important way to reduce waste and help the environment. Many materials can be recycled, including paper and plastic. Paper products such as paper bags, mail, envelopes, folders, and cardboard can be recycled, but food, beverage, or grease-contaminated paper cannot. Plastic bags, on the other hand, are harder to recycle and are often omitted from store collection bins. However, many grocery retailers and smaller retailers offer bag recycling collections in their stores, and plastic bottles can be recycled in the same way as cans. Additionally, some places offer specialised recycling programs, such as for ink and toner cartridges, or electronics.
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic bags can be recycled at major retailers like Walmart, Target, and Kroger
- Paper can be recycled at most curbside programs and retailers like Walmart
- Plastic bottles are accepted at some universities and colleges
- Ink and toner cartridges can be recycled through some office supply stores and universities
- Plastic bags can be recycled into plastic lumber or new bags
Plastic bags can be recycled at major retailers like Walmart, Target, and Kroger
Walmart, for instance, has expanded its assortment of reusable bags offered at checkouts, with prices starting at 74 cents. They have also participated in pilot programs like the Beyond the Bag initiative, a three-year project with companies like Target and CVS Health, to explore more sustainable alternatives to plastic bags. Additionally, Walmart has advocated for broad solutions, such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which aims to improve the fragmented recycling infrastructure in the US. Through its contracts with recycling companies, Walmart ensures that the materials collected in its stores, including plastic bags, are recycled to the maximum extent practicable.
Target, another major retailer, has also demonstrated its commitment to reducing plastic waste. As a participant in the Beyond the Bag initiative, Target explores alternatives to single-use plastic bags and promotes the use of reusable bags.
Kroger, a well-known grocery store chain, encourages customers to become Zero Heroes by recycling plastic bags and packaging. Kroger has special Zero Hunger | Zero Waste bins at the front of its stores where customers can recycle various types of plastic bags, including grocery bags, bread bags, and dry cleaning bags. The collected plastic packaging is then combined with the store's in-house plastic waste and sent for recycling into composite decking. Kroger also offers a free mail-in recycling program in partnership with TerraCycle, allowing customers to recycle flexible plastic packaging from Kroger's store brands.
These initiatives by major retailers provide convenient options for individuals to recycle plastic bags and contribute to a more sustainable future.
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Paper can be recycled at most curbside programs and retailers like Walmart
Paper is one of the most highly recycled materials in the United States. The paper recycling rate was 65-69% in 2023, according to the American Forest and Paper Association. Paper products like cardboard boxes, pizza boxes, mail, and paper bags are widely accepted in recycling programs throughout the U.S.
One of the easiest ways to recycle paper is through a residential curbside program where your materials are picked up and taken directly to a materials recovery facility to be sorted. According to the AF&PA's 2021 Access to Recycling Study, 79% of the U.S. population has access to curbside recycling. Curbside recycling programs sort and bundle containers for further processing at appropriate facilities. For example, milk and juice cartons are made so that each of the components (paper, plastic, and aluminum) can be easily separated.
However, not all paper products are recyclable. Paper gift wrap often cannot be recycled if it has a shiny or laminated coating. Paper cups are also not typically recyclable. Additionally, paper products with food residue may not be accepted by all recycling programs. For example, while pizza boxes are recyclable, food scraps must be removed, and the box must be flattened before placing it in the bin.
If curbside recycling is not available in your area, you can check if your area has a drop-off program that accepts paper products. According to the AF&PA, 55% of the U.S. population has access to a drop-off recycling program. Retailers like Walmart often accept materials for recycling. You can also check your local department of solid waste's website or give them a call to learn more about your options for recycling paper.
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Plastic bottles are accepted at some universities and colleges
Some universities are even banning single-use plastics on campus, including water bottles, cutlery, and plastic bags. For example, Minnesota's College of St. Benedict prohibited plastic bottles back in 2011, and the University of Portland followed suit in 2013. More recently, Washington University stopped selling plastic water bottles in 2009, and Macalester College did the same in 2011. These decisions were made to address concerns about poor recycling rates, energy waste, and carbon emissions.
Colleges and universities are also taking part in competitions such as RecycleMania, which challenges students and staff to reduce and recycle waste. In 2020, close to 300 U.S. and Canadian campuses recycled, donated, and composted 48.6 million pounds of waste, including more than 380 million plastic bottles. Stony Brook University was the top-ranking campus for total pounds of electronics recycled.
It is important to note that not all plastic bottles are accepted by local recycling programs, and it is always best to check with your local provider. Some plastics are more widely recycled than others, and it is worth checking with your local program to see if they accept the type of plastic you are looking to recycle.
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Ink and toner cartridges can be recycled through some office supply stores and universities
Additionally, some office supply stores, such as Office Depot, have reward programs where they offer store credit for returned cartridges. Online services like InkRecycling.org also provide free shipping labels and pay cash for recycled cartridges. They also offer fundraising programs for schools, churches, and nonprofits.
It is worth noting that some manufacturers, like Toshiba, provide paid-for recycling programs, but there are many free alternatives that accept various brands of cartridges.
Before recycling ink and toner cartridges, it is important to check with the specific office supply store or university to ensure they accept these items and to understand any specific requirements or restrictions they may have.
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Plastic bags can be recycled into plastic lumber or new bags
Plastic bags are a common source of marine debris, often ending up in the ocean and being mistaken for food by birds and fish. However, they can be recycled into plastic lumber or new bags, giving them a second life and reducing the amount of oil used.
Recycling plastic bags involves chipping them into pellets, which can then be reprocessed into new bags or shipped to companies to be manufactured into plastic lumber for decking, park benches, or other products. While some curbside programs accept plastic bags, they are a major source of contamination in city recycling programs due to their tendency to jam machinery. As a result, many communities have implemented bag bans or bag taxes, and some retailers who distribute bags are mandated to accept them for recycling.
To recycle plastic bags, it is important to remove any contents, such as receipts, stickers, or crumbs, as these can contaminate the recycling process. Most plastic bags are made from high-density polyethylene (#2 plastic), while thinner bags, like produce bags, are made from low-density polyethylene (#4 plastic). Only bags with these symbols should be recycled, as other types of plastic resin may be unknown.
Before dropping off plastic bags for recycling, it is essential to check with local programs or retailers to confirm their acceptance. Many grocery and retail stores offer bag recycling collections, and some provide collection bins near their entrances. By recycling plastic bags, we can help reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and contribute to a more sustainable future.
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Frequently asked questions
Paper can be recycled at a curbside recycling program or mixed paper drop-off. Paper should be dry and free of food scraps to be recyclable.
Newspapers, magazines, junk mail, office paper, phone books, and cardboard boxes are all recyclable. Paper with plastic coatings, such as receipts, candy wrappers, and photographs, cannot be recycled.
Plastic can be recycled through your local community recycling program or at specific drop-off locations. Check with your local program to see which types of plastic they accept, as not all plastics are accepted everywhere.
