Plastic bags can’t go in household recycling bins – here’s what to do instead

Soft, stretchy plastics, ubiquitous in grocery bags, bubble wrap, and various packaging, present a persistent environmental challenge.

These materials are nearly impossible to avoid and even harder to dispose of properly.

If discarded in landfills, they can persist for hundreds of years, slowly degrading and releasing harmful microplastics into the environment.

In 2018 alone, over 3 million tons (2.7 metric tons) of plastic bags, sacks, and wraps in the United States were sent to landfills, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

The problem extends beyond landfills. When these plastics are mistakenly placed in curbside recycling bins, they can severely disrupt the recycling process.

Erha Andini, a Delaware-based chemical engineering expert and science communicator, explains, “Once they get shredded or even before, a lot of times they just clog recycling equipment.”

This clogging can halt operations and damage machinery, making it counterproductive to include them with other recyclables.

The production of these plastics shows no signs of slowing. Global negotiations for a plastic treaty have stalled in recent years, with the U.S. and other oil-producing nations resisting limits on plastic production, which is predominantly oil-based.

Given this reality, understanding how to manage these flexible products, known as plastic films, becomes crucial. While a completely plastic-free life is difficult, there are straightforward ways to handle the most common culprits and make a tangible difference.

“It’s a problem of volume,” says Gary Dusek, founder of Precious Plastic NYC. “So literally the tiniest thing definitely moves the needle.”

Identifying plastic films is the first step.

Unlike harder plastics found in water bottles or takeout containers, plastic films are soft and flexible. Experts suggest thinking of examples like bread bags, plastic cereal bags, and the overwrap for bulk items such as toilet paper.

To identify the type of plastic, look for the classic three-arrow recycling logo with a number inside. This number indicates the plastic’s composition, not whether it’s accepted in your curbside bin.

Many plastic films are labeled with numbers two or four, signifying they are made of high or low-density polyethylene. These specific types can often be dropped off for recycling at designated bins in local grocery or convenience stores.

However, items without these numbers are typically more complex, often made from multiple layers of different plastics. For instance, the plastic wrap used to keep meat fresh at the grocery store can consist of five or more layers of film, depending on its design, according to Andini.

Placing such films in general recycling bins, a practice known as “wishcycling,” can actually hinder the processing of other recyclable materials, making it essential to consider alternative disposal methods.

Crucially, plastic bags should never be placed in household recycling bins.

Instead, these plastic films should be taken to specific drop-off bins found at grocery or convenience stores.

Once collected, these bags are sent to recyclers who reprocess them into materials for new products, such as outdoor decking.

Trex, a company that manufactures outdoor decking from recycled plastic films, provides a locator on its website to help individuals find nearby drop-off points by zip code, as noted by Stephanie Hicks, the organization’s materials and recycling manager. Generally, grocery bags and soft plastics labeled with numbers two and four are accepted at these bins.

Before dropping off items, ensure they are clean, free of food residue, and not overly degraded.

Remember to remove any stray items like receipts. While some grocers have discontinued in-store drop-off programs due to concerns about plastics ending up in landfills, other local organizations may accept plastic donations.

For example, the NOVA Creative Reuse Center in Virginia repurposes donated bubble wrap for artwork, and Precious Plastic NYC melts plastics to create clipboards and clothes hangers, accepting donations by appointment.

Online tutorials also offer inspiration for at-home reuse, such as making plastic yarn from old grocery bags to crochet new totes.

Dusek emphasizes, “All we’re really trying to do is take this stuff out of the environment, and put it into something where we know what it is.”

Beyond recycling and repurposing, reducing reliance on plastic films is a powerful strategy. Opt for reusable grocery and product bags, and choose items with minimal or no plastic packaging whenever possible.

While plastic wrap is vital for food safety, keeping products like cucumbers fresh for longer, according to plastics engineering expert Meg Sobkowicz with the University of Massachusetts Lowell, small swaps can still be made. For instance, selecting individual apples from a grocery stand instead of pre-wrapped bunches.

Shopping locally and secondhand can also help avoid the plastic packaging associated with shipped products.

Finally, giving new life to the plastic bags you already have is a simple yet effective step. Reusing the same plastic bags for multiple grocery runs or as liners for bathroom trash cans can significantly extend their lifespan before they head to waste management.

Bags from newspaper deliveries can be repurposed for scooping dog poop, and other bags can hold wet clothes or sandals at the beach. While some items will inevitably end up in the trash, Sobkowicz advises against letting “the perfect be the enemy of the good.”

Small changes and swaps, she notes, are always better than doing nothing, and local recycling plants will appreciate the effort.