What To Do With Return to A-Z Guide

Plastic bags

Clean and dry plastic bags labeled #2, #4, store drop-off, and more are accepted at the Drop-Off Station. Not all bags and other soft plastics that are accepted will have numbers or labels on them, below is a comprehensive list of accepted soft plastics. These materials are also accepted at many retail stores, including most grocery stores (Meijer, Kroger, Target, Whole Foods, etc.).

Drop-Off Station accepted soft plastic items:

ALL ITEMS MUST BE CLEAN, DRY, AND FREE OF FOOD RESIDUE.

• Grocery/shopping bags
• Bread bags
• Produce bags
• Ziploc/resealable food storage bags that stretch
• Case overwrap (wrapping over toilet paper, water bottle cases, etc.)
• Dry cleaning bags
• Newspaper sleeves
• Electronic & pallet wrap
• Air pillow
• Bubble wrap
• Plastic shipping bags (bubble mailers are not accepted)
• Ice bags
• Cereal box liners
• Salt/wood pellet bags 

Drop-Off Station does not accept:

• Net or mesh produce bags
• Frozen food bags
• Pre-washed salad mix bags
• Grape bags
• Chip bags 
• Candy bar wrappers
• Pet food/animal feed bags
• Degradable/compostable bags or film packaging
• Bubble mailers
• Amazon and Shein shipping bags
• Six pack rings
• PPE- Gloves, masks, or protective wear
• Pool covers and liners 
• Lamination film
• Silage and hay bags
• Backyard ice rinks
• Vinyl shower curtains or tablecloths
• Bedding or linen packaging
• Saran wrap/Cling wrap
• Shiny, crinkly films like floral wrap
• Trash bags
• Wet or contaminated with residue

Not sure? See if the package will stretch when you pull it. If yes, it can be included. If it tears like paper, then no, it can't be recycled and needs to be thrown in the trash. If the package is shiny or makes a crinkly/crunchy sound in your hand it can't be recycled and needs to be thrown in the trash. When in doubt, throw it out!

Recycle Right!

Do not put soft, flexible plastics and bags in your curbside recycling cart. They cause major problems at the sorting facility and can jam up the machinery, causing damage and delays and creating unsafe conditions for our workers.

When coming to our Drop-Off Station, group all of your accepted soft plastics together, and make sure they are clean and dry before disposing of them! 

Choose Zero Waste!

Say “no” to using plastic bags altogether. Instead, opt for reusable or paper bags, or even no bags, when purchasing items. If you do end up with plastic bags, try to reuse them multiple times before disposing of them. You can use them as trash can liners, lunch bags, etc. Our goal as a zero waste recycler is to encourage people to reduce their single-use plastics and identify alternatives as they collect their soft plastics for recycling.