See the list below for the types of plastic bags / wraps that can be dropped off at big box retail stores, supermarkets and chain pharmacies – providing they are CLEAN and do not contain any food residue or labels. Click here to search for a location near you!
Acceptable to Recycle
- Air pillows from shipping packages (air removed)
- Bread bags
- Bubblewrap
- Case wrap (i.e., found around cases of water)
- Cereal box liners (as long as they don’t tear like paper)
- Dry cleaning bags
- Mail pouches (plastic inside and out only – none with a paper exterior, cut out labels)
- Newspaper bags
- Overwrap (i.e., found around paper towels, toilet paper, napkins, etc.)
- Produce bags (labels MUST be removed)
- Retail bags (with draw strings removed, if applicable)
- Zip top bags (i.e., Ziploc bags)
- Six-Pack Rings
- Gel packs shipped with food kits (Contents must be emptied into the trash)
Unacceptable to Recycle
- Candy bar wrappers
- Chip bags
- Degradable/compostable bags or film packaging, (e.g., PLA plastics)
- Frozen food bags
- Plastic bags with food residue or labels
- Plastic bags with strings that cannot be removed
- Plastic soil or mulch bags
- Pre-washed salad mix bags
#1 - Recycle
Plastic bags and film plastics CANNOT be recycled in the recycling bin. Never put them in the recycling bin, either loose or containing recyclables, as they slow down the recycling process and end up as trash (along with anything inside them).
Clean plastic bags can be recycled at most big box stores, supermarkets and chain pharmacies. Ask about their recycling collection bins.
#2 - Reduce
Bring reusable bags to the grocery store and beyond to cut down on the amount of plastic bags in circulation. Use reusable containers to pack lunch or store leftovers.
#3 - Dispose
If your plastic bags are dirty, they must go in the trash.
