Repurpose Paper Bags

Give your clean, reusable paper bags a second life through The ReCollective’s local collection and reuse program.

Paper bags collected by The ReCollective for reuse

Put Your Paper Bags to Work Again

Have a stack of shopping bags taking up space? The ReCollective works with local retailers and community organizations to put good-quality paper bags back into circulation for shopping and packaging.

Paper bags are collected during designated ReCo Pick months. Stack accepted bags and place them inside your black waterproof bag for pickup.

Keep the stack to 8 inches tall or less.

What Paper Bags Can Be Reused?

We accept paper bags that are clean, intact, and in good enough condition to be used again.

Accepted Paper Bags

  • Grocery store paper bags
  • Retail and shopping paper bags
  • Paper gift bags
  • Clean paper takeout bags

Please Leave Out

  • Torn or badly damaged paper bags
  • Dirty or food-soiled bags
  • Wet bags or bags that cannot be reused
Simple rule: Bags should be ready for another shopping or packaging trip. Stack no more than 8 inches of bags inside your black waterproof collection bag.

How Paper Bag Collection Works

Paper bags are a featured ReCo Pick material during designated collection months.

Save Clean Bags

Keep grocery, retail, gift, and takeout paper bags that are still in good condition.

Stack and Contain

Make a stack up to 8 inches tall and place it inside your black waterproof bag during the designated month.

We Find Their Next Use

We sort your bags at our Durham warehouse and distribute usable bags to local businesses for reuse.

The ReCollective warehouse in Durham where paper bags are sorted for reuse

What Happens to Collected Paper Bags?

The paper bags are brought back to The ReCollective warehouse in Durham, NC, where they are sorted for reuse.

We work with local businesses and community organizations that can use the bags again for their customers, helping extend the life of each bag.

For additional collection options, explore our Almost Anything Bag Mailback program and check its current accepted-materials guidance before mailing.

Paper Bag Reuse FAQs

Can I donate grocery, retail, and gift bags?
Yes. We accept paper grocery bags, paper retail bags, paper gift bags, and clean paper takeout bags that are intact and reusable.
How many bags can I include?
You can include a stack of paper bags up to 8 inches tall. Place the stack inside your black waterproof bag.
Can I set out paper bags every month?
Paper bags are collected during designated ReCo Pick months. Check the collection calendar for the current schedule.
Are torn or dirty paper bags accepted?
No. Bags need to be intact, clean, and in good condition so they can be reused.
Where do my paper bags go?
They go to our Durham warehouse for sorting, then to local businesses and community organizations that can reuse them.

Other Hard-to-Recycle Material Guides

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City Recycling Pages

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