Courtesy of Sharon Paley
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Did you see it? See what? Well, G Word of course! In a recent episode of G Word, I investigated how plastic bags can be recycled (Bag Me a Recycler). Many viewers who saw that episode responded by asking me how they can recycle all the plastic bags they accumulate from their shopping outings. OK, I'm not going to write a long piece on all the environmental issues about bags – paper or plastic – and tell you which is better. Why? Because right now you are reading this from your computer and are able to find many great articles online on this topic. What I will do is share some basic information about how you can recycle the bags you already have and give you a little nudge to use a reusable bag whenever you can.
Recycling and preventing waste just takes a little effort and forethought. My philosophy is not to be perfect but to do my best. Heck, I hate to admit it, but every once in a while, much to my chagrin, I end up consuming a plastic bag. There, I said it. I never like it, but sometimes even armed with my best intentions and awareness it happens. But, I always take steps to see that the little rascal gets recycled and usually after being reused to its fullest potential.
Most of us have seen it – something out of the corner of your eye in the sky and curious you look intently to figure out what it might be. The mystery object floats in the air with grace and ease. No you're sure it isn't a UFO, it's too small. Suddenly you realize it's just a plastic bag caught by the wind. Well, not just a plastic bag because you know it is on a metamorphic journey to finally become trash. Where will it land? Will it get hooked on the branch of a tree, snagged on the wire of a fence, or sucked into the grill of some passing car? Likely, you will never know where it will end up, but you have seen the landing spot of countless other bags that have been on a similar journey.
OK, here is a bit of information to assist you with your efforts to recycle those plastic bags. Generally, most curbside recycling programs do NOT include plastic bags but, yes, there are always exceptions. One reason, not all plastic bags are made of the same stuff (polymers is the technical name). Here is the deal, most plastic bag recycling programs take the most common plastic bags – #2 (HDPE) & #4 (LDPE). And the most common bags are the typical grocery bags (called "t-shirt" bags) and produce bags (the thin flat bags we all use for lettuce, tomatoes, etc.). In addition, you can also recycle the plastic film used to wrap your dry cleaning (it's also #4 – like the produce bags) so be sure to include this wrap with the bags you collect for recycling. There is one resource that should help just about everyone – a link to a website with a database of locations that accept plastic bags for recycling. This site has information for every state in the U.S. PlasticBagRecycling.org. So now you have an answer to where to take your plastic bags – it doesn't get much easier.
Have a question? Curious about how to properly dispose of something? Well then- Ask the Waste Sleuth! Send your query to Tom Sutton, the waste sleuth and maybe he will answer your question and post it on the Planet Green website. Todd Sutton ~ Waste Sleuth – is Planet Green's waste prevention, reuse, compost and recycling expert.
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