So what to do with plastic bags and stuff?!
♼You CAN Recycle Flexible Plastic!!
It takes just a moment of education, awareness, and just a little caring effort.
➔Read more at How2Recycle Flexible Plastics
Watch this short film on the "How" to recycle loose plastics.
➔OK, but HOW?
I use a reusable shopping bag to collect up all my flexible plastic recycling items.
First I tried to have the bag in the laundry room, but it took up too much room. Next I hung it on the wall in the garage where I see it on my way to my curbside recycling bins.
When the bag is full (which happens surprisingly more quickly than I like), I put it in the car to return to a store during an upcoming trip. Just like I have learned to have my reusable shopping bags in my car, I now also have a bag with flexible plastic recycling.
It just takes a couple of mindful minutes to drop it off before continuing with my shopping.
It may take a little while to get used to adding this into your routine, but I am finding it can be done without huge stress or work.
➔Recycling in this way is not limited to plastic bags only--
You can recycle many plastic packaging/film items if they are CLEAN and DRY without any crumbs. Remove all labels and tape.
Items to consider recycling include:
Retail, carryout bags
Produce bags
Newspaper bags
Bread bags
Dry cleaning bags (clean, dry and free of receipts and clothes hangers)
Zip-top food storage bags (clean and dry)
Plastic shipping envelopes (remove labels)
Bubble wrap and air pillows (please deflate)
Product wrap that covers bulk items [like the kind that comes over water/soda bottles, paper towels, napkins, disposable cups, bathroom tissue, diapers, and female sanitary products]
Furniture and electronic wrap
Plastic cereal box liners (but if it tears or crinkles like paper, do not include)
Any film packaging or bag that has the How2Recycle Label on flexible plastics made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE)
*Not all items are accepted at all drop-off locations. Check with your local drop-off to see what is accepted.
Do NOT include:
Degradable/compostable bags or film packaging
Pre-washed salad mix bags
Frozen food bags
Candy bar wrappers
Chip bags
Six-pack rings
➔And more education/information also available at this link Plastic Film Recycling
➔Link to Find a Drop Off Location Near You
**Be sure to check with your store first to make sure they are still participating.
I visited locations on the list for Henderson, NV and they both had drop off locations.
Winco: Located in the back right corner of the store near the bulk food items. Just beyond the produce section.
www.novolex.com
Lowes: Located in the customer service/returns and exchanges area. They also take plastic trays, pots, and tags that come on garden items.
Vons: I discovered this was located in the front entrance on the produce side of the store.Added: 10/6/2019
I'll share more as I continue to learn. Having a daughter majoring in Environmental Science has been a catalyst for my own awareness and change for good. Feel free to ask questions or share what you are learning (and provide your own photos). It has been encouraging to discuss with others who are going in the same direction.
