Plastics
Plastic bags
carrier bags, shopping bags, grocery bags, poly bags, plastic sacks
Can you recycle?
Sometimes
Sometimes — plastic bags can't go in your curbside bin, but most supermarkets have a front-of-store bag drop-off.
How to prepare
1. Empty the bags and shake out any crumbs. 2. Keep them clean and dry. 3. Bundle bags together. 4. Drop them in the plastic-bag and film collection bin at a participating supermarket.
Common mistakes
Putting plastic bags in curbside recycling, where they jam sorting machines. Recycling dirty or wet bags. Bagging your other recyclables in them — keep recycling loose.
What happens after you recycle it?
Recycled plastic bags are turned into new bags, plastic lumber, outdoor decking, and drainage pipes.
Drop-off guidance
Most large supermarkets have a plastic-bag and film collection point near the entrance, which takes carrier bags, bread bags, and other clean film that curbside collections won't.
FAQs
Can I recycle plastic bags?
Not in your curbside bin, but yes at supermarket front-of-store collection points that take bags and film.
Where can I recycle plastic bags near me?
Use the lookup above, or check the entrance of your local supermarket for a bag and film drop-off.
Is it free to recycle plastic bags?
Yes. Supermarket bag drop-off points are free to use.
Can I get paid to recycle plastic bags?
No. There's no payment for plastic bags, but dropping them off recycles them for free.
