Plastic grocery bags are composed of valuable, recyclable materials, primarily High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) or Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE), identified by resin codes #2 and #4. While technically recyclable, their thin, flexible structure requires a specialized process separate from standard container recycling. Routing this high-volume material through dedicated collection streams is important to reduce landfill waste and recover the plastic resins for reuse.
Why Plastic Bags Cannot Go into Curbside Bins
The physical properties of plastic film make it incompatible with the machinery used at Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs), which process single-stream curbside recycling. MRFs rely on conveyor belts, screens, and optical sorters designed to separate rigid items. Thin, flexible plastics, often called “tanglers,” wrap around the rotating shafts and gears of the sorting equipment. This entanglement forces facilities to shut down multiple times daily so workers can manually cut away the jammed film, causing operational delays and equipment damage. Furthermore, a plastic bag passing through the system can contaminate other valuable materials, such as paper and cardboard, preventing proper sorting.
Preparing and Locating Drop-Off Points
Consumers must take plastic film to designated drop-off locations, typically found at grocery stores, pharmacies, and major retail chains. Preparation requires ensuring the material is completely clean and dry, as moisture or food residue contaminates the entire batch. Any receipts, stickers, or crumbs must be removed before collection.
The drop-off programs accept more than just grocery bags; they also take other stretchable plastic films:
- Bread bags
- Dry cleaning wraps
- Newspaper sleeves
- Product overwrap (e.g., from toilet paper)
Once clean and dry, the bags should be bundled together, often by stuffing them into one larger bag, to keep the lightweight material contained for transport. Consumers can find local collection points using specialized bins near the store entrance or online directories.
The Industrial Process of Film Recycling
After collection from retail drop-off points, the plastic film is processed at a specialized recycling facility. The material is first consolidated into large, dense bales for efficient transport and initial sorting, where workers remove remaining non-plastic contaminants. Next, the film is shredded or ground, converting the bulky plastic into smaller, uniform flakes. These flakes enter a thorough washing and cleaning line to remove residual dirt, inks, and adhesives, which is essential for producing a high-quality final product. Following the wash, the flakes are dewatered and dried, since moisture negatively impacts the subsequent melting phase. The clean, dry flakes are then fed into an extruder, melted under heat and pressure, and filtered to eliminate impurities. The molten plastic is pushed through a die and cut into small, uniform pieces known as plastic pellets, which serve as the standardized raw material for new products.
What New Products Are Created
The recycled plastic pellets, primarily made from polyethylene, are used by manufacturers to create durable goods. A common application is the production of composite lumber, frequently used for outdoor decking, railings, and landscaping ties. This material resists rot and moisture, making it a long-lasting alternative to wood. The pellets are also molded into items like plastic fencing, park benches, and outdoor furniture. Additionally, the reprocessed resin can manufacture new plastic film products, such as garbage bags, liners, piping, and containers, completing the recycling loop.