Can plastic bags be recycled? What about bread bags and plastic packaging?
Plastic shopping bags can be recycled, but they should NOT be included with household recyclables in most communities because they become tangled or wound in machinery at the recycling facility. The machinery is engineered for sorting rigid container plastics only. Plastic bag recycling options are increasing. A growing number of retailers in Wisconsin, such as supermarkets, retail stores and dry cleaners, voluntarily accept plastic bags for recycling. In some of these locations, you may also be able to recycle other types of plastic bags and film, so check with the retailer to find out what is accepted for recycling. The best option is to avoid using disposable shopping bags by instead using a reusable cloth bag or other reusable container. Reuse is also a good choice as many consumers reuse plastic bags as trash liners or pet waste bags. Find out more about plastic bag recycling through the Wisconsin DNR website: www.dnr.state.wi.us.
