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Signage and Bins

Consumers and employees want to know where they can recycle their plastic bags and other recyclable film and wraps. In addition to providing recycling bins in convenient locations, grocers and retailers can help through employee and consumer education. Posters and well-marked recycling bins near entrances remind customers to return bags for recycling.

  • Conveniently locate garbage cans for consumers to place their trash
  • Ideally, locate garbage cans so consumers reach it before reaching the plastic bag recycling bin to avoid contamination
  • Use transparent bins and transparent bags to enable better quality control
  • Place signage near the recycling bin opening to deter consumers from putting trash in the bin
  • Avoid recycling bins that resemble garbage cans

Artwork Downloads

You are welcome to download and print any of the images posted below.

Recycling Bin Vendors

  • Transparent bins enable better quality control.
  • Signage near the bin opening helps to deter consumers from putting trash in the bin
  • Avoid bins that resemble garbage cans.
  • Place bins near the front of the store.
  • Offer convenient access for consumers to place their trash in garbage cans. Ideally they should be located so consumers reach the garbage can before reaching the plastic bag recycling bin to avoid contamination.

Check with buyers of plastic film, or end users, since some provide bins to their customers. Search for buyers in the Recycler Directory.

Below are examples of recycling bins that can be used to collect plastic bags and does not represent all recycling bins available.

Backend Collection Bins

What type of bin or collection system you use in the back will depend on how you plan to get your scrap to market (backhaul to distribution center, bagged and picked up by recycler with cardboard, baled and stored on site for pick up by a buyer).

Bin type will also depend on your space constraints. Ideally you put a collection frame or container with a clear #2 or #4 bag near points of film generation. Once full that bagged material can be consolidated out of the way in a larger bin where staff also dump bagged film from the front of the store or business.

 

COVID-19 and Plastic Film Recycling

NOTE: Plastic bags/wraps typically do not get recycled in curbside bins. They must be returned to participating drop-off locations such as retail stores for recycling.

Thank you for recycling your plastic bags and wraps.

During this COVID-19 pandemic, we urge you to recycle your plastic bags, wraps, and other film packaging at drop-off locations ONLY WHEN AND WHERE POSSIBLE.

Some stores have temporarily halted collection of plastic bags and wraps. And some of you are not able to venture out. If either is the case, please collect your bags/wraps at home until events change. Bags/wraps can be compressed and stored inside another plastic bag.

As always, please follow the direction of your local and state public health officials, and do not shop or take anything to a store/drop-off if there’s reason to suspect anyone in your household has been exposed to the coronavirus. If you do shop, please take appropriate steps to help protect store employees so they can continue to provide essential products during this crisis.

Thank you for your support of plastic film recycling. Recycling contributes to sustainability and provides valuable materials for American manufacturers, so we encourage you to continue recycling when and where possible.

Be safe.

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