Does watching a turtle wrapped in plastic bags struggling to breathe spark your guilt? We bet you’ve stumbled upon such videos at least once. We humans use about 5 trillion plastic bags each year, many of which find their way into the sea and threaten marine life. Can plastic bags be recycled so we no longer see that pitiful footage? Keep reading to find out!
In this article:
Are Plastic Bags Recyclable?
Yes, plastic bags can be recycled. As long as they are not too contaminated, they will be collected and transported to recycling centers. Then, those bags will be cleaned, melted, and shaped into small pellets or lumber for other purposes.
But No, plastic grocery bags aren’t destined to go into the blue or green bin! This is a common misconception, especially for those who want to “wish-cycle.” Many folks see the recycling symbol on those bags and toss them into the green bin, where there are already other plastics.
Sure, curbside recycling bins are meant for recyclables. However, plastic bags can’t be processed with other recycling items. This is because the stretchy material will gum up the machinery, and workers have to tug them out manually. This not only wastes time and effort but is also too hazardous for the workers. And the recycling facility has no other choice but to send them to trash.
This is to say, if you don’t dispose of them correctly, all your recycling efforts will go to waste.
So, Where To Recycle Plastic Grocery Bags?
The nearest drop-off center is the way to go. Additionally, all grocery retailers across the country, like Walmart, Target, Kroger, Safeway, etc., provide bag collection bins at their stores. Many other small retailers also offer this program. The reason is that some states require retailers to collect their consumers’ plastic bags for recycling.
You can easily find these recycling bins near the entrance of these stores. If you can’t find anywhere that collects your plastic bags, enter your ZIP code on Recycling Search to seek the nearest place.
That said, before you get rid of those plastic bags, keep in mind these things:
- First, look for the recycling symbol or “Recyclable” on the bags. While this is not always the case, some old packaging is still made of non-recyclable plastic.
- Make sure to empty the bags. There should be no debris, receipts, food scraps, crumbs, etc., inside them, which are considered contaminants and can ruin a load of plastic.
- Peel off any stickers or tape and cut off any attached labels like shipping envelopes or brand tags, etc.
- For dirty bags, it’s best to rinse off any residue of juice, sauce, food, and so on. This extra step might be a bit of a hassle, but it prevents contamination during processing.
- Don’t stack up your plastic grocery bags and throw a large batch into collection bins at once. Most recycling bins at grocery stores only have a limited space.
- Set up a collection bin for plastic bags at home for hassle-free sorting.
There’s Still Hope: Curbside Recycling Bins Can Collect Your Plastic Bags!
While most areas don’t allow you to throw plastic bags into curbside bins, there’s still light at the end of the tunnel. According to PR Newswire, in 2022, Dow and Waste Management launched a recycling program that allowed many Chicago residents to recycle plastic bags right at the curbside. It’s expected that about 8% of American households can access this program in 2025.
Types Of Plastic Bags That Can Be Recycled
While we’ve stated plastic bags are recyclable earlier, this doesn’t hold true for all types. Only #2 plastic (high-density polyethylene) and #4 plastic (low-density polyethylene) can be recycled. So, remember to check if the plastic bags are labeled #2 or #4 before treating them.
On another note, some recycling facilities might reject black plastic bags, and many end up in the landfill. Due to the dying process, they will produce dark pellets when processed, which can only be used to make dark-color items. Considering their limited uses and the cost, recycling centers prefer processing plastic bags of other colors for more profits.
To give you a brief guideline for recycling plastic bags, here are items you can put into bag collection bins:
- Store bags
- Produce bags
- Ice bags
- Cereal box liners
- Ziploc and other reclosable bags
- Bread bags
- Case overwrap
- Newspaper sleeves
- Bubble wrap
- Dry cleaning and delivery bags
- Fish and meat wrapping
- Plastic e-commerce mailers
- Chocolate and sweet wrappers
- Crisp packets
- Loo roll wrap and other multipack wrapping
- Yogurt lids
- Supermarket shopping bags
- Frozen food bags
- Ready meal lids
- Fruit and veggie packaging
- Baby food pouches
- Rice, pasta, and salad bags
- Cling film
- Coffee pouches
- Air pillows (popped)
Also, these are no-go to the collection bins:
- Bird seed or pet food bags (except for when they’re labeled with #2, #4, or “Store Drop-Off”)
- Chip bags
- Compostable or biodegradable bags
- Dirty food bags
- Crinkly bags
Can I Reuse Plastic Bags?
Of course! They can make perfect garbage bags around the house. Once the used plastic bags are rinsed and cleaned, you can use them to store food or for shopping. Some folks use old plastic bags to clean up their kitten litter or dog poop. And with a bit of creativity, you can craft some lovely decorations from them.
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