You just finished the lunch you packed from home – maybe a sandwich and chips – yum! Now you’re left with the zip bags you packed them in. Do those get tossed in the trash or can they be recycled? Let’s clear up the confusion.
Can You Recycle Zip Bags?
Yes – but not in your standard recycling bin.
Zip bags are considered a flexible film, made of polyethylene (PE) plastic, which is recyclable through special film recycling programs. Film recycling is generally not accepted for curbside recycling. Tossing your zip bags in the blue bin can actually mess up the recycling process for all the other items that can be recycled this way.
How Do You Recycle It?
- Store Drop-off: Many grocery stores (think Target, Walmart, Kroger, and even your local chain) have bins for plastic film recycling.
- Municipal Depot: Some municipalities have their own managed locations that residents can take their films to directly.
- Subscription Services: Some companies, like Ridwell, offer doorstep pickup or mail-in for plastic film.
- Specialty Curbside Recycling: Some communities do offer a specific curbside film recycling program, like Hefty ReNew™, allow consumers to fill designated receptacles and leave outside their home for pickup, like standard curbside recycling.
Find out what film recycling options are available for you, including your closest Store Drop-off using our Map Tool.
Prep Before You Drop
Before you drop off your zip bags for recycling, make sure to take these small steps to ensure it actually gets recycled.
- Clean and Dry: Make sure to dump out any excess crumbs and wipe off any residue that might be leftover. It’s also best to rinse out your bags – just make sure to let them dry before dropping them off for recycling.
- Tip: If your zip bags are extra messy and seem unsalvageable, it’s best to toss these in the trash to avoid contaminating the recycling stream.
- Remove Any Labels: If your zip bags have any labels that have been adhered, cut these out and throw them in the trash. Because the labels are made of a different material than the film, it can prevent the film from being recycled properly.
- Bundle Your Film: No matter how you’re recycling your film, it’s most efficient to gather a lot of items together. You can do this in a plastic shopping bag or your designated film recycling receptacle. Recycling in bulk not only saves time but also supports better recycling practices.
What Happens to Recycled Zip Bags?
When processed through film recycling programs, these flexible plastics are given a second life as useful products, including:
- Composite Decking & Lumber: Construction materials are one of the most common end markets for recycled films.
- Garbage Bags & Liners: Many trash bags and can liners are made with recycled film content.
- Product Overwrap: The clear plastic wrap you see around cases of water bottles, paper towels, or other bulk items often contains recycled film.
- Other Uses: Recycled film can also be used in playground equipment, park benches, and even new plastic bags.
Recycling zip bags isn’t complicated, but it does require following the right steps. By cleaning, drying, and using designated drop-off locations, you’re taking all the right steps to get these materials to recycling facilities and kept out of the landfills.