Lots of people want to know, “Are Ziploc bags recyclable?” Well, the short answer is yes and here are all the specifics you need to know. I love green living so when I heard that Ziploc® brand bags are recyclable, I was totally excited to help spread the word! That is right, Ziploc® bags are actually recyclable. I think that was worth repeating because relatively few people know that Ziploc® bags, when clean and dry, are recyclable at more than 18,000 retail locations nationwide! This post raising awareness that Ziploc® brand bags are recyclable is sponsored by Ziploc®.
Can You Recycle Ziploc Bags? All The Information You Need To Do So
Type of Plastic: Ziploc bags are made from polyethylene plastic resin, specifically Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE), which is categorized as recycling number 4.
Ziploc bags can be recyclable, but here is what you need to know in order to do so properly. Not all curbside recycling programs accept plastic bags, including Ziploc sandwich bags, because the soft plastic can clog machinery at a recycling facility. However, many grocery stores and retailers have designated bins for collecting plastic bags, which are then recycled separately.
Why recycle Ziploc® bags?
The process of recycling uses far less energy and water than manufacturing with brand new raw materials. Recycling is important as it conserves energy and natural resources, reduces pollution, and creates less waste in landfills. Old plastic bags are recycled into products such as composite lumber.
How do you recycle Ziploc® bags?
It’s easy! Just make sure your bag is empty and clean. Rinse and dry if needed. Any food residue or moisture can contaminate the recycling process. Return clean, dry and empty Ziploc® brand bags to recycling drop off locations. Ziploc® bags can be recycled along with other plastic bags/film/wrap and the locations are not hard to find.
Ziploc bags and other similar plastic bags are generally not recyclable in curbside recycling programs. This is because they can jam recycling machinery and are made from a type of plastic (low-density polyethylene) that is not easily recyclable in most facilities.
However, some grocery stores and retailers have collection bins for plastic bags and films, including Ziploc bags. These bins are often located near the entrance of the store. The collected bags are then sent to a specialized recycling center that can process them.
If you want to recycle Ziploc bags, check with your local recycling program or visit the website of the retailer where you purchased the bags to see if they offer a recycling program for plastic bags.
Where do you recycle Ziploc® bags?
Lots of places! Don’t worry that you won’t have a drop-off location near you, chances are there are lots once you know what you are looking for.
Ziploc® bags can be recycled at plastic shopping bags/wrap/film locations. Many retailers now offer plastic bag drop-off bins where Ziploc® bags may be recycled including Kroger, Publix, Target and Walmart to name a few big retailers.
Find a Ziploc® bag recycling drop off location
If you want to find a list of places near you that recycle plastic bags, you can visit PlasticFilmRecycling.org and input your zip code to get a list of registered locations near you. Please note that is a new resource and the directory depends on data entry from companies and local jurisdictions. So, there may be many more plastic bag drop off locations near you but it is a good starting point.
Many grocery stores also have a plastic bag recycling program that makes it easy for customers to recycle plastic bags and deposit them into bins located in the front of most stores. This usually means they accept plastic bags (Ziploc® bags included), dry-cleaning bags, and plastic shrink wrap. Long story short, there are probably lots of plastic bag drop offs near you once you start looking!
Look for plastic grocery bags recycling bins near store entrances. Please recycle only plastic bags that are empty, clean and dry, at store drop-off locations. Check with your local grocery store for drop off location.
Take Action: Recycle Your Ziploc® Bags and Increase Awareness
With more than 1 billion Ziploc® bags purchased each year, recycling is an easy step everyone can take to live a more sustainable lifestyle. If you get your kids excited about recycling Ziploc® food storage bags, they are sure to help you get it done. Here is a cute video about just that! I always tell my kids if they like using something and want people to make more of that, we need to try to recycle it!
Good news! By following these guidelines, you can help ensure that your Ziploc bags and other types of plastic bags are recycled properly and contribute to reducing plastic waste.
Please take action by recycling Ziploc® bags and by helping spread awareness that Ziploc® bags are recyclable. Together we can increase the practice of recycling Ziploc® bags across the U.S. Learn more at Ziploc.com.
Please share this article socially to help spread awareness that clean plastic bags can be recycled! Thanks!
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Pamela Waterman (@BracesFriendly) says
I am SO glad to learn that ziplock bags can be recycled at many retail stores! Thanks for sharing. It is also important to know not to put them in curbside programs.
Lawanna says
Hot diggity dog! Our curbside recycling doesn’t accept as much as we’d like, so we’ve been searching out other places to recycle. We found our local grocery store, Target, and Lowe’s have plastic bag recycling cans. I never thought to put my ziploc bags in there too. Thanks for sharing!