04/20/2020
Sadly, most plastic bags are are still not as widely recycled as other forms of plastic. According to the , only 12% of plastics that includes bags, sacks, and wraps ended up getting recycled in 2012.
A good reminder: If the plastic material in question can be wrapped around your finger, it doesn't belong in your recycle bin.
When plastic bags get mixed in with other recyclables, they often jam or damage the machines at materials recovery facilities and slow down the recycling process. Therefore, most communities do not accept plastic bags and other soft plastics through their curbside recycling programs. Many end up either in landfills, littered throughout our streets, or even get mistaken as food by marine animals.
The best thing to do is to stop using plastic bags completely by taking advantage of . However, if you end up with a plastic bag, you still can recycle them. First, check to see if your community’s curbside recycling program accepts plastics bags. If they’re not accepted, make sure you don’t mix them in with other recyclables in your bin. Instead, take them to a drop-off recycling location. Most large grocery chains, home improvement stores, and retailers like Lowes, Home Depot, Wal-Mart and Target provide collection bins, usually by the main entrance.