Most of these bags are made from either No. 2 high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or No. 4 low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE). (Grocery and retail shopping bags are typically made of HDPE, whereas plastic films like the ones you find on dry cleaning are made of LDPE or LLDPE.) These soft plastics are made of fossil fuels, so they emit greenhouse gases at every stage of their life cycle—down to when they’re baking in the sun in a landfill, where they can take anywhere from 50 to 1,200 years1 to fully decompose. Clearly, the same durability that makes plastic so convenient for consumers makes it extremely hard to break down in the environment. Recycling is one way to keep these bags in circulation for longer so they don’t end up as planet-warming pollution. The pellets generated via the recycling process aren’t used to create the same plastic item as its original form, notes Stephanie Hicks, materials sourcing manager at Trex, a decking company that uses recycled materials. Instead, they are purchased in bulk and turned into materials like car parts, furniture, or clothing. Now, you might assume that thin plastic bags can be recycled using the same process. And who could blame you; recycling rules are confusing! A recent survey commissioned by recycling program Covantra revealed that most Americans are guilty of placing things that aren’t recyclable in the recycling bin (otherwise known as “wishcycling”). But unfortunately, throwing plastic bags in the bin with hard plastics puts a strain on recycling systems. “Many people think that since other types of plastic (namely No. 1 and No. 2) are recycled through municipal programs, that means plastic bags are also accepted,” says Alex Payne, North American public relations manager at recycling company TerraCycle. “This is false and actually leads to the bags clogging the highly tuned recycling machinery, leading to losses in time, money, and the otherwise recyclable material that the plastic bags become intermingled with.” The extra labor required to fix the machinery and the equipment downtime makes recycling programs less profitable over time. All of these recycling programs help ensure there is no contamination between recyclable and non-recyclable materials, resulting in a clean recycling stream. Start by unlearning the notion that they are single-use and continuing to use them for groceries until they can no longer withstand the weight. They can also be used for: At home, consider using reusable produce bags and sparing all of that clingy plastic film from going to waste. It should be noted that the production of reusable bags has an environmental footprint as well, so be mindful of how many you continue to add to your collection. (Remember: The most sustainable choice is reusing the bag you already have, regardless of what it is.) When traveling, pack reusable bags in your carry-on or checked luggage so you can reduce plastic waste on the road. They come in handy for shopping, picnics, and stowing your day-trip essentials too. Of course, there will be times when you forget your bag and need to accept a plastic one. Don’t lose sleep over it! Just remember to bring the plastic bag back to be recycled or put it to good (re)use. It was early on in her marketing and communications career that Victoria discovered her passion for writing and storytelling, and a desire to dig into and explore the topics that matter to her. Previously she spent over a decade in the movie business in a publicity role at a prominent movie studio. She has been a long-time advocate of clean, non-toxic beauty, and has previously lent her marketing expertise to consulting work for beauty brands from across the globe. When she’s not investigating wellness trends, debunking beauty myths, or uncovering the latest earth-friendly products, she can be found buried in a good book, watching the latest documentary, or traveling the globe with her camera in tow. You can find her on social @victoria_malloy.
