Crinkly Packaging Member Guide
Crinkly Packaging is now picked up each month. Monthly pickup members can include clean, dry crinkly plastic packaging in the pink canvas bag with their regular ReCollective pickup.
This stream is for packaging that feels thicker, sounds loud when mashed, and does not stretch like grocery bags or bread bags.
Accepted Materials
EVERY MONTH
Clean and dry crinkly plastic packaging of any color. These materials are usually thicker, loud when mashed, and do not stretch like grocery bags or bread bags.
Food bags
Bar wrappers
Pasta bags
Resealable bags
Chip bags
Candy wrappers
Produce netting
Cheese packaging
Salad packaging
Prepared VeggiesKeep These Out of the Bag
- Stretchy plastic film, such as grocery bags, bread bags, produce bags, or plastic film mailers
- Items with paper liners
- Items that contain cardboard
- Items with mixed materials other than plastic, such as metal or paper
- Compostable or biodegradable packaging
- Dirty or wet items
How to Use the Pink Bag
From Wrappers to Building Blocks
Crinkly packaging is difficult to separate into its original layers. Instead, our partner uses the mixed plastic as a resource for durable construction products.
Members place accepted materials in the pink canvas bag for their monthly pickup.
The ReCollective team removes contaminants, consolidates the material, and compacts it for efficient shipping.
The plastic is processed into ByBlocks used in construction and infrastructure projects.
Crinkly Packaging FAQ
The easiest rule: if it crinkles and does not stretch, it probably belongs in this stream.
How can I tell whether a package belongs in this bag?
Try to stretch it. Crinkly Packaging feels thicker, makes a crisp sound, and keeps its shape. Stretchy bags and wrap belong in Plastic Film.
Are shiny or metallic-looking packages accepted?
Yes. Many snack bags, coffee bags, and pouches have a shiny inner layer. They are accepted when the package is primarily flexible plastic and does not contain separate paper, cardboard, or metal pieces.
Can I place crinkly packaging in curbside recycling?
No. Standard curbside systems generally cannot process this fused, multi-layer material. Keep it out of your curbside cart and use The ReCollective's dedicated pink bag instead.
How often can members set out the pink bag?
Crinkly Packaging is now picked up each month. Close the pink canvas bag, place it inside your black waterproof bag, and set out the black bag for your regular ReCollective pickup.
Where should I place the pink canvas bag for pickup?
Close the pink Crinkly Packaging canvas bag and place it inside your black waterproof bag. Set out the black waterproof bag for pickup as usual.
Can crinkly packaging go in the Almost Anything Mailback bag?
Yes. Crinkly Packaging is accepted now in the Almost Anything Mailback bag. Local pickup members may continue using the pink canvas bag for monthly service.
What happens after The ReCollective collects it?
We sort and compact the material at our warehouse, then ship it to ByFusion, where it is transformed into durable ByBlocks for construction applications.
Made Possible with ByFusion
ByFusion's technology gives difficult-to-recycle plastic a practical next use by transforming it into construction blocks. This creates an outlet for material that traditional recycling systems leave behind.
Learn About ByFusion
Make Crinkly Packaging Part of Your Routine
The ReCollective offers doorstep pickup for hard-to-recycle materials throughout the Triangle. Crinkly Packaging is included with monthly pickup and is also accepted now in the Almost Anything Mailback bag.
Explore Other Material Guides
Use the pictures below to quickly find the right ReCollective bag or material stream.
