Plastic bags and plastic wraps make up the category “plastic film.” This includes everything from grocery and bread bags to shrink wrap and paper towel film. In 2012, the recycling of post-consumer plastic film surpassed one billion pounds – up 56% since 2005.
While most communities do not accept plastic film curbside, recycling coordinators can play a role in helping increase the collection of this important category of plastic. Many Americans have access to plastic film recycling in their communities. The 2012 Plastic Film and Bag Recycling Collection: National Reach Study found that:
- 91% to 93% of the U.S. has access to plastic bag recycling
- 72% to 74% has access to plastic film recycling
- Much of this recycling happens at grocery and retail stores
Learn More
Check out
PlasticFilmRecycling.org for comprehensive information about polyethylene film recycling. Learn what can be recycled along with plastic bags, and try the drop-off directory to locate a nearby retailer, municipal recycling center or private recycler in your area who accepts plastic bags and film packaging.
Here is a great video from Rhode Island, designed to communicate the best way to recycle bags, to their residents.
- Resources
- Keep Film out of MRFs - Recycle Film Right
- Tools for Colleges
Resources
Film Recycling Web Widget Recycling coordinators can help residents recycle plastic bags and wraps quickly and easily by adding communications to recycling websites that direct consumers to film recycling resources. Here is an example of a digital badge available at www.plasticfilmrecycling.org. FREE Film Recycling Poster Supported by the majority of U.S. film reclaimers. You are welcome to download and print this retail poster which explains the types of plastic bags and films accepted for recycling. This poster is used as signage on retail drop off bins. Download the hi-res printable version here. FREE Film Recycling Poster for Colleges and Universities This version of the WRAP poster is specially designed for U.S. colleges and universities. It features open "whites space" at the bottom that allows campus recycling staff to write in locations of bins. You are welcome to download and print the campus poster. For help with any of the materials here, or for information on purchasing bulk orders of pre-printed materials, email help@plasticfilmrecycling.org.
View Resources
Keep Film out of MRFs - Recycle Film Right
One recycling challenge that communities face is the issue of plastic bags and product overwrap – known as “film” – in a municipal recovery facility (MRF). While plastic film is recyclable, most MRFs do not recycle plastic film. Moreover, plastic film can jam sorting machinery, causing equipment problems for MRFs. Therefore, it is important that plastic film is recycled right: plastic film needs to be clean and dry, and taken to one of the 18,000+ drop-off locations across the country. Click here to find a drop-off location near you! That’s where WRAP comes in. The Wrap Recycling Action Program (WRAP) is a national multi-stakeholder public awareness and outreach initiative designed to empower motivated stakeholders to contribute to a common goal: to make plastic film packaging a commonly recycled material with a strong and ever-growing recycling rate. WRAP has free assets to help you communicate to community residents about plastic film recycling: what, how, and where to recycle it. Feel free to download and use the posters and tip cards. These assets can also be ordered – contact us for more info. Want more information? Check out these FAQs to find out what plastic bags, wraps, and film are recyclable. Visit the Plastic Film Recycling website to learn more about WRAP. Contact us with any other questions at help@plasticfilmrecycling.org. Download the Poster for Retail Drop-Off Locations (Printing instructions here) Download the Poster for Malls (Printing instructions here) Download the Poster for Depot Drop-Off Locations (Printing instructions here) Download the Tip Card (Printing instructions here)
View Keep Film out of MRFs - Recycle Film Right
Tools for Colleges
Waste diversion and recycling are major priorities for many U.S. colleges so we've developed tools to help institutions better educate campus communities about plastic film recycling. The new WRAP on Campus poster and shareable graphic includes examples of film product wraps and bags that are more likely to resonate with students— like product overwrap from pillows, red plastic cups and loose leaf paper. We’ve also designed the poster to allow for customization with blank space at the bottom for campus recycling coordinators to provide direction to the location of bins, whether on or off campus. The poster can also be co-branded, giving colleges the opportunity to place their school’s logo alongside the WRAP logo. Along with our social graphic, which can be used on all major social platforms, the tools provide helpful guidance to help boost recovery rates. Download Campus Poster Download Shareable Graphic
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