Recycle

Plastic bags and film plastics DO NOT BELONG in your recycling bin. They slow down the process for sorting recyclables and end up as trash (along with anything inside them).

However, clean plastic bags can be recycled at many big box stores, supermarkets and chain pharmacies. Ask about their recycling collection bins.

Click here to find some drop-off locations.

Businesses can click here for more information about recycling film plastics.

Watch our video or scroll down to learn what is acceptable.

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.

Acceptable

  • Shopping Bags
  • Retail bags (with draw strings removed, if applicable)
  • Dry cleaning bags
  • Produce bags (labels MUST be removed)
  • Bread bags
  • Cereal box liners (as long as they don't tear like paper)
  • Overwrap (i.e., found around paper towels, toilet paper, napkins, etc.)
  • Case wrap (i.e., found around cases of water)
  • Newspaper bags
  • Zip top bags (i.e., Ziploc bags)
  • Air pillows from shipping packages (air removed)
  • Bubblewrap from shipping packages

Unacceptable

  • Plastic bags with food residue or labels
  • Plastic bags with strings
  • Plastic soil or mulch bags
  • Degradable/compostable bags or film packaging, (e.g., PLA plastics)
  • Pre-washed salad mix bags
  • Frozen food bags
  • Candy bar wrappers
  • Chip bags
  • Six-pack rings

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.

Dispose

If your plastic bags are dirty, they must go in the trash.

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