Info Sheet: Recycling Plastic Bags and Wraps
Contact: Jennifer Killinger (703) 741-5833
Email: jennifer_killinger@americanchemistry.com
Nationwide over 830 million pounds of bags and film were recycled in 2007 – up 27 percent from 2005.
According to EPA’s data, about 12 percent of plastic bags and film were recycled in 2007.
Plastic bags can be made into dozens of useful new products, such as durable building and construction products, low-maintenance fencing and decking, shopping carts and of course, new bags.
The following plastics can be recycled wherever plastic bags are collected for recycling:
- newspaper bags
- dry cleaning bags
- grocery bags
- bread bags
- produce bags
- toilet paper, napkin, and paper towel wraps
- plastic retail bags (hard plastic and string handles removed)
- zip lock bags (remove hard components)
- cereal box liners
- diaper wrap (packaging)
- plastic shipping envelopes (remove labels)
- case wrap (e.g., snacks, water bottles)
- furniture wrap
- electronic wrap
- All clean, dry bags labeled #2 or #4.
Learn more at: http://www.plasticbagrecycling.org/