Plastics
Plastic bags
carrier bags, shopping bags, grocery bags, poly bags, plastic sacks
Can you recycle?
Sometimes
Plastic bags can't go in your curbside bin, but most supermarkets have a front-of-store bag drop-off.
Verified against 40,000+ local recycling programs · Updated June 2026
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.
