Join Us for Plastic Film Outreach Days
Recycle more at the store – visit us at one of our Plastic Film Recycling Outreach Days this summer! An expert will be available to answer questions and provide examples of all the recyclable films that can be returned to the store along with your grocery bags. Reusable produce bags and shopping lists will be available while supplies last.
Closing the Recycling Loop in The Woodlands
Did you know? Every ounce of plastic ever created is still with us. Breaking down into ever-smaller particles, plastic never fully disappears or forms a new compound. Since plastic remains an integral part of our lives, recycling is critical for protecting the environment. We all know that plastic bottles and containers belong in the recycle cart, but what about plastic bags and film?
Plastic bags and film cannot be recycled in your curbside recycling cart.
Why not? Your recycling cart delivers a mixed load of materials to the recycling facility – this is known as single-stream recycling. Once there, the jumble is sorted into discrete bales of recyclables – aluminum cans, cardboard, paper, glass, and plastic containers. Contamination is filtered out and landfilled. The more contaminants that enter the system, the harder it is to produce bales of quality recyclables.
Plastic bags and film top the list of contaminants. Hoses, wires, textiles, and Styrofoam are a close second. They wrap around equipment, clog filters, and force the line to stop for cleaning and repair. These interruptions increase the cost to process the material, harming its marketability and the success of our recycling program.
Recycle more at the store! Although plastic bags and film cannot go in your recycling cart, they CAN be recycled at participating locations in The Woodlands, including H-E-B and Kroger. Any plastic bag or film that is clean, dry, and stretchy can go back to the store for proper recycling.
Click here for a printable version of this tip card
What happens next? Each year, tons of plastic film are turned into composite lumber – a plasticized material used in park benches, picnic tables, decks, fences, and playground equipment. This material is commonly used in our parks and pedestrian bridges.
Want to recycle more? Check out this the Recycle More Guide for locations to recycle items such as batteries, electronics, Styrofoam and more at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/recyclemore. For questions, contact Environmental Services at enviro@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov or 281-210-3800.
Check out these recycling tips from previous blogs:
- Recycling Dilemma #1011: Batteries: Where Do They Belong?
- Recycling Dilemma #1010: Threadbare Clothes and Outgrown Shoes: Let’s Give Them a New Life!
- Recycling Dilemma #1009: Caution, that Pizza Box is Cheesy!
- Recycling Dilemma #1008: Plastic Bags and Film – Friend or Foe?
- Recycling Dilemma #1007 – K-Cups: How to Stay Caffeinated Sustainably
- Recycling Dilemma #1006 – Online Shopping: What to Do with All of Those Packages!
- Recycling Dilemma #1005 – Take-Out Containers - Where Do They Belong?
- Recycling Dilemma #1004 – Recyclables: To Bag or Not to Bag
- Recycling Dilemma #1003 – Moving Boxes and Oversized Cardboard: Give Them Another Trip!
- Recycling Dilemma #1002 – Got Stuff? Declutter Sustainably!
- Recycling Dilemma #1001 – Is That Recyclable? Cut Out Contamination