Can you recycle plastic bags? Not in your curbside bin

Can you recycle plastic bags? The short answer is yes, but almost never in your curbside bin. The US EPA says plastic bags and wraps cannot go in curbside recycling, and putting them there can cause real problems at the sorting plant.

Why bags cause trouble

A plastic bag in the recycling stream can get caught in the gears of a sorting machine and jam it, according to the University of Michigan’s sustainability program.

That means workers have to stop the line and cut bags out by hand, which slows down everything else that was recycled correctly.

Where plastic bags can go

The EPA says many grocery and department stores accept plastic bags and wrap at special collection bins.

Bags should be clean and dry, and zippers should be cut off first. UGA Extension suggests calling ahead, since accepting stores vary.

Better than recycling

The easiest fix is to need fewer bags. Keep a reusable bag in your car or bag, and say no to a bag for one or two items.

The fine print

Store drop-off is not available everywhere, and the EPA says to check with your local store before you go.

Why it matters

Plastic bags are one of the most common reasons recycling lines stop. Keeping them out of your bin helps everything else you recycle actually get recycled.

Try it yourself

Think you know your bins? Play Sort It Right, our free recycling game, and see how many of 12 everyday items you can sort before the clock runs out.

Sources: US EPA recycling FAQ, US EPA National Recycling Strategy FAQ, University of Michigan Planet Blue, UGA Extension.

Key takeaways on recycle plastic bags

Here is the short version on recycle plastic bags. A plastic bag in the recycling stream can get caught in the gears of a sorting machine and jam it, according to the University of Michigan’s sustainability program. That means workers have to stop the line and cut bags out by hand, which slows down everything else that was recycled correctly. The EPA says many grocery and department stores accept plastic bags and wrap at special collection bins. Bags should be clean and dry, and zippers should be cut off first. The easiest fix is to need fewer bags. Store drop-off is not available everywhere, and the EPA says to check with your local store before you go.

Use these points on recycle plastic bags as a starting point, check the numbers against your own home or business, and share what you learn with someone who can use it.