Plastic film, which includes many types of bags and wrap, is everywhere in our lives. In part because of their convenience and abundance, though, plastic bags and wrap are often used in excess, wasted, buried in landfills or littered in our streets, natural areas and surface waters.

There are easy and cost-effective ways to reduce waste and recapture the benefits of plastic bags and wrap after their initial use. Individuals and businesses can reduce excessive use of bags and wrap, reuse them or recycle them. Industrial shrink wrap used in the packaging can be recycled and is in high demand by manufacturers as a raw material. Individuals, schools, non-profits, workplaces and communities can collect plastic bags and wrap for recycling or promote local recycling programs. 

REDUCE THE NUMBER OF BAGS YOU USE AND REUSE PLASTIC BAGS

• Reduce your use of disposable shopping bags by using a reusable bag or container when shopping.
• Reuse old plastic bags for multiple shopping trips.
• Re-purpose plastic bags as trash liners or pet waste bags.
• Refuse a bag for easy-to-carry purchases.
• Buy products in bulk.

Many grocery stores offer durable, washable bags to customers at an affordable price. Using these bags on a regular basis can create less waste than paper or plastic, and washing them regularly removes dirt and germs.

WHAT CAN BE RECYCLED: MORE THAN SHOPPING BAGS

If you have plastic bags and wrap you can't reuse, you can often recycle them at stores or other drop-off sites if they are clean and dry.

Many people know shopping bags can be recycled—but other household plastic wrap can too! If they are clean, dry, and free of receipts or other items, the following can be recycled at drop-off sites:

• newspaper bags;
• bread and produce bags;
• stretch film around furniture or electronics;
• plastic shipping envelopes (remove labels), bubble wrap and air pillows (deflate);
• zip-top food storage bags;
• plastic wrap around paper products, soda/water bottles, diapers, etc. and
• dry cleaning bags.

PLASTIC WRAP THAT CAN'T BE RECYCLED

Non-recyclable plastic wraps include any wrap or bag that contained frozen food, pre-washed salad mix bags and bags labeled as degradable. Any plastic wrap, bag or film that is dirty or wet should also not be recycled.

When in doubt, don't recycle it if you're not sure. Bags and wrap that are wet or dirty—or that are labeled compostable or biodegradable—can disrupt the recycling process and prevent the reuse of entire loads of recovered bags and wrap.

TAKE YOUR PLASTIC WRAP AND BAGS TO DROP-OFF LOCATIONS

You can recycle clean and dry plastic wrap and bags at many grocery stores and other retailers. Check with local stores to find out what they take.

Do NOT put plastic bags and wrap in curbside recycling bins. They get tangled in equipment at facilities that recycle cans, bottles, cardboard and paper. This puts workers in danger and causes costly facility shutdowns. 

DO MORE: SET UP OR ENCOURAGE COLLECTION PROGRAMS