Alexei Volkov
Plastic film should not be put in household recycling bins and must be placed in film plastics recycling bins if the material is acceptable. Many retailers have store drop-off collection bins at the front of their stores, including Target, Publix, Walmart, Albertsons, and Wegmans. Consumers can collect and save qualifying plastic films and bring them to these stores to recycle. It is important to ensure that the plastic films are clean and dry before placing them in the store's bin.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic film types | Plastic bags, pouches, wraps, and films |
| Plastic film characteristics | Stretchable, with an equilateral triangle and resin codes 2 or 4 |
| Recycling methods | Store Drop-off, retailer-sponsored programs, curbside recycling |
| Store Drop-off locations | Target, Publix, Walmart, Albertsons, Wegmans |
| Curbside recycling | Only in select communities in the U.S. that accept plastic films in curbside recycling |
| Recycling process | Recycled plastic films become products like lumber/decking, stormwater management systems, construction materials, new flexible plastic films, etc. |
| Recycling benefits | Conserves resources, reduces waste, decreases environmental impact, helps preserve natural ecosystems, reduces strain on raw materials, reduces greenhouse gas emissions |
| Plastic film condition | Clean, dry, and free of residue |
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What You'll Learn
Retailers with plastic film recycling bins
Plastic bags are a type of plastic film that should not be put in household recycling bins. They should only be placed in plastic film recycling bins if the material is acceptable. Many retailers have Store Drop-off collection bins at the front of their stores, including Target, Publix, Walmart, Albertsons, and Wegmans. Wherever you see a plastic bag recycling bin in retail stores, you can recycle plastic film. You do not need to take these items back to the same place where you bought them. Even if you purchased the packages online, you can still take them to any retail store with a plastic bag recycling bin.
It is important to ensure that the plastic films are clean and dry when placing them in a store's bin. This means no crumbs, no food residue, and no liquid inside. You don’t need to rinse out and air-dry each and every bag, but if there are crumbs, shake them out. If the bag is damp, let the water evaporate before putting it into the bin. If there is a lot of food residue that doesn’t come off easily, it is best not to recycle it.
Some communities use Resin Identification Codes, often misidentified as “recycling numbers,” to communicate what types of plastic they will accept. For example, flexible plastic packages with #2 or #4 are usually recycled in the Store Drop-off bin. It is also important to look for the How2Recycle Store Drop-Off label on a package, as this confirms that the package can be recycled through Store Drop-off.
When plastic films are properly recycled at a return-to-retail drop-off location, they can be reprocessed into small pellets, which can be made into new bags, pallets, containers, crates, and pipes. They can also be recycled into composite lumber for making decks, benches, playground sets, and more.
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How to prepare plastic film for recycling
Recycling plastic film helps conserve natural resources, keeps streets and waterways clean, and protects wildlife. It is important to prepare plastic film for recycling properly to ensure it does not contaminate other materials and end up in the environment or a landfill. Here are some steps to prepare plastic film for recycling:
Check Local Guidelines
All recycling is local, and guidelines may differ from town to town. Check with your local recycling entity or municipality to understand their specific rules and requirements for plastic film recycling.
Identify Acceptable Plastic Film
Not all plastic film is recyclable. Generally, if the plastic film can stretch and has an equilateral triangle with resin codes 2 or 4 on it, it can be recycled. Look for the How2Recycle label on your items for detailed disposal instructions.
Clean and Dry the Plastic Film
Ensure that the plastic film is clean, dry, and free of residue. A light wipe with a dry cloth can help remove any residue. It is important to remove food contamination, as recyclers are looking for materials they can process and sell.
Gather and Contain the Plastic Film
Collect your clean and dry plastic film items in a plastic bag or another container for efficient drop-off. Bringing items in bulk saves time and supports better recycling practices.
Drop-Off or Curbside Recycling
Plastic film is often not easily recyclable through curbside recycling due to its small, thin, and lightweight nature, which can cause issues in recycling equipment. Instead, look for store drop-off locations, such as retail establishments or specialty recyclers, that accept plastic film for recycling. Some communities may also provide flexible film collection bins in public parking lots or community centers.
Verify Accepted Materials
Before dropping off your plastic film, verify that the location accepts the specific type of plastic film you are looking to recycle. Not all flexible plastic packaging is accepted at all locations, and certain materials, like Saran Wrap or Cling Wrap, may be rejected due to high food contamination.
By following these steps, you can help ensure that your plastic film is properly prepared for recycling and contribute to reducing plastic waste and protecting the environment.
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What happens to recycled plastic film
Plastic film is a challenging material to recycle due to its thin and stretchy nature, which can cause it to tangle in sorting machinery at recycling facilities. As a result, many curbside recycling services do not accept plastic film, and it often ends up in landfills. However, proper recycling of plastic film is crucial for conserving natural resources, reducing waste, and protecting wildlife.
So, what happens to recycled plastic film? When plastic film is correctly recycled at designated drop-off locations, it can be transformed into various products. One common outcome is composite lumber used for decking, benches, and playground equipment. The recycled material can also be processed into small pellets, which serve as the basis for creating new bags, pallets, containers, crates, and pipes.
Some companies, like Ridwell, offer specialised services to make plastic film recycling more accessible. They collect plastic film from consumers' doorsteps and partner with certified recyclers like Trex, ensuring that the material is genuinely recycled into high-performance composite decking. This approach helps address the challenge of limited drop-off locations and encourages the proper recycling of plastic film.
It's important to note that not all plastic film is recyclable. Plastic film that contains metallic, latex, vinyl, or insulated materials, or is mixed with paper, cannot be recycled. Additionally, multi-layer plastic, commonly found in food packaging for dried fruits, nuts, and rice, poses challenges due to its complex composition.
To determine if plastic film is recyclable, individuals can look for specific indicators. Recyclable plastic film is often stretchy and bears an equilateral triangle with resin codes 2 or 4. The How2Recycle label on products also provides detailed disposal instructions, although eligible materials may not always have this label. It's crucial to ensure that all plastic film intended for recycling is clean, dry, and free of residue to maximise the chances of successful recycling.
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Plastic film recycling labels
Plastic films should not be put in household recycling bins and should only be placed in film plastics recycling bins if the material is acceptable. Many retailers have Store Drop-off collection bins at the front of their stores, including Target, Publix, Walmart, Albertsons, and Wegmans. Wherever you see a plastic bag recycling bin in retail stores, you can also recycle other plastic film items.
Look for the How2Recycle label on your items to find out detailed disposal instructions. Eligible materials will not always have a How2Recycle label, but an increasing number of companies are including these labels on their products. If you see the How2Recycle Store Drop-Off label on a package, you know that How2Recycle has confirmed the package can be recycled through Store Drop-off.
Plastic films that can be recycled are generally those that can stretch and have an equilateral triangle with resin codes 2 or 4 on them. Flexible plastic packages with #2 or #4 are usually good to go in the Store Drop-off bin. However, it is important to note that these numbers don't always tell the full story about recycling. Even if your community accepts "#2 and #4 plastics" in curbside bins, they are referring to rigid plastics like bottles and jugs.
When you properly recycle your film plastics at a return-to-retail drop-off location, they can end up as composite lumber for making decks, benches, and playground sets. Plastic film can also be reprocessed into small pellets, which can be made into new bags, pallets, containers, crates, and pipes.
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Plastic film recycling laws
Film plastics should not be disposed of in household recycling bins and must only be placed in designated film plastics recycling bins if the material is acceptable for recycling. Clean, dry, and residue-free materials are required for recycling, and receipts should be removed. Compostable bags are not to be placed in film plastics recycling bins or household recycling bins; instead, they should be put in home composting bins if available.
In the United Kingdom, nearly all councils provide plastic recycling collections, and the amount of plastic collected and recycled has increased annually for the last 25 years. The UK also exports some of its plastic for recycling. While nearly all types of plastics can be recycled, the extent of recycling depends on technical, economic, and logistic factors. The recycling of post-commercial industrial and agricultural films is well-established in the UK, and products made from recycled films include refuse sacks, damp-proof membranes, fencing, and garden furniture.
Some regions offer store drop-off recycling programs where consumers can bring plastic bags and other flexible plastic packaging to participating stores for recycling. However, it is important to verify which materials are accepted through these programs. Additionally, some municipalities offer programs like the Hefty ReNew™ program, which allows consumers to recycle alternative plastics curbside.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic film should not be put in household recycling bins. Instead, you can put it in a film plastics recycling bin, or take it to a store that offers recycling drop-off.
Many large retailers in the US offer plastic film recycling drop-off, including Target, Publix, Walmart, Albertsons, and Wegmans.
Recycled plastic film can be turned into lumber for decking, benches, and playground sets, or into small pellets, which can be made into new bags, pallets, containers, crates, and pipes.
Plastic film must be clean and dry before it's placed in a recycling bin. This means no crumbs, food residue, or liquid inside.
