single-use plastic bag recycling

Ditching single-use plastic bags completely will be a challenge.

(But if you read my last post you may understand more and more why it’s so bothersome. How can I ignore those stats???)  

When nearly everything in a store is sold wrapped in thin-film plastic, it makes avoiding the nasty stuff really difficult. I mean, look at how many plastic bags our household of three accumulated over the last month or so?!?

What’s even more disturbing, however, is that these can’t be recycled (in Ventura at least) through curbside pickup.

EJ Harrison and Gold Coast Recycling used to accept them; but no longer.

So, if you don’t want to toss them in the trash, you must take them yourself to a local grocer; one that offers a plastic bag drop-off service.

What you may not know, and what’s important to note, is that many types of plastic bags can be held on to and recycled in this way; not just the typical plastic bags you carry your goods out in!

Plasticbagrecycling.org has created a nice list of items acceptable for recycling by most grocery stores. They include:

• Bread bags
• Cereal box liners
• Ziploc® Bags
• Case wrap (snacks, water bottles)
• Newspaper bags
• Dry cleaning bags
• Produce bags
• Toilet paper, napkin and paper towel wraps
• Furniture and electronic wrap
• Plastic retail bags
• And any clean, dry plastic bags labeled #2 or #4

So, how ‘bout a little sharing time. What’s the afterlife like for plastic bags in your household?

Were you aware they aren’t recycled curbside? Do you save and drop them off at your neighborhood grocery store? Toss them in the garbage? Reuse them as trashcan liners? Avoid them altogether? Never thought about it much before?

Give it a try. Hold on to your plastic bags for a month. The rate at which they accumulate may surprise you!