Plastic bags pose all sorts of problems. Around 5 trillion are produced globally each year, and only 1% are recycled. A big part of the problem is that they can't be recycled in standard recycling facilities. They get clogged in the machinery, causing the whole line to shut down. We've never heard of a curbside recycling program that accepts them. Fortunately, most supermarkets take back plastic grocery bags as well as a wide variety of other plastic bags, films, and wraps. These are often downcycled to produce plastic decking, park benches, and playground equipment. Flexible plastics that can't be recycled at grocery stores can be recycled (for a fee) through TerraCycle programs. "Stretchy" Plastic This includes: Grocery, produce, and bread bags Newspaper and dry cleaning bags Wrap from around toilet paper, packages of water bottles, etc. Six-pack rings Bubble wrap and plastic mailers Case stretch wrap Cereal box liners Recycle these items for free at: Grocery store drop-off bins Nex-Trex drop-off bins Full Circle Sustainability Note that this does NOT include compostable plastic bags. They are not made of petroleum and cannot be recycled with other plastics. Here is a great resource from NexTrex, a major recycler of plastic bags and film, that will help answer specific questions about what counts as "stretchy" plastic. "Crinkly" Plastic If it doesn't meet the descriptions above, you can't recycle it through store drop-off programs, even if it has a recycling symbol on it. Any plastic packaging not included above can be recycled at: Full Circle Sustainability as part of the free and paid TerraCycle programs Pet food bags (any brand) or Kroger-branded packaging can be recycled for free at Full Circle. All other "crinkly" plastics fall into the paid TerraCycle category.
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