Recycle Plastic Bags & Film with The ReCollective
Stretchy plastic bags and film are collected every month with The ReCollective’s Hard-to-Recycle service.
Use this guide to separate flexible film from Crinkly Packaging, rigid plastics, and mixed-material mailers.
Accepted Materials
EVERY MONTH
We accept empty, dry plastic bags and film that stretch when pulled. Accepted film may be clear or colored.
If the material stretches when pulled, it likely belongs in Plastic Film. If it stays stiff, crinkles, or tears, keep it separate and check the Crinkly Packaging guide.
Keep These Out
- Paper mailers or mailers with paper outside and bubble wrap inside
- Foil-lined or paper-lined bubble wrap
- Loose tape, paper bags, and cardboard
- Biodegradable or compostable bags
- Film with food, liquid, or heavy residue
- Rigid containers, clamshells, cups, tubs, and lids
- Non-stretchy snack bags, salad bags, wrappers, and pouches
How to Set It Out
Non-stretchy wrappers, pouches, and bags belong in the pink Crinkly Packaging bag, not the Plastic Film bag. View the Crinkly Packaging Guide.
Accepted plastic film that fits inside may also go in the Almost Anything Mailback bag.
How Plastic Film Is Recycled
Plastic film needs a dedicated collection stream because loose bags and wraps can tangle in equipment used by traditional curbside recycling facilities.
Accepted bags and film are picked up with other Hard-to-Recycle materials.
Our team keeps the film separate and removes obvious contamination before it moves to our recycling partner.
The lightweight film is densified into compact bales so it can be transported efficiently.
Baled film moves to specialized outlets that use recycled plastic in composite decking and other durable products.
Plastic Film Recycling FAQ
Use these answers when deciding whether an item belongs in the Plastic Film bag.
How do I know whether something is plastic film?
Plastic film is thin and flexible. The easiest test is to pull it gently: accepted film stretches. If it stays stiff, crinkles loudly, or tears instead of stretching, keep it out of the Plastic Film bag.
Is every item marked #2 or #4 accepted?
No. The number alone is not enough. The item must also be a flexible bag or film that stretches. Rigid #2 and #4 containers do not belong in this collection.
Can film with food residue be included?
No. Empty the packaging and remove food or liquid residue before adding it to the bag. Let damp film dry first.
Do chip bags, snack wrappers, and salad bags go in Plastic Film?
No. These materials usually crinkle or tear instead of stretching. Many are accepted separately in the pink Crinkly Packaging bag. Review the Crinkly Packaging Guide before including them.
Can bubble mailers be included?
All-plastic bubble mailers may be included when the material is stretchy, empty, and dry. Mailers with a paper exterior or other mixed materials are not accepted in Plastic Film.
Where does The ReCollective send accepted plastic film?
We work with Orange Recycling Services to consolidate and bale collected film. Downstream outlets include Fiberon and Trex, which can use recycled plastic film in composite decking and other durable products.
Can I recycle plastic film without a ReCollective membership?
Some grocery and retail stores offer plastic film drop-off bins. Programs and accepted items vary, so confirm the location’s current rules before making a trip.
Can plastic film go in the Almost Anything Mailback bag?
Yes. Accepted plastic film that fits comfortably inside may be included in the Almost Anything Mailback bag.
Recycle Plastic Film with The ReCollective
Keep accepted bags and film out of the trash with monthly pickup alongside Crinkly Packaging, textiles, Styrofoam, batteries, bulbs, and rotating ReCo Pick materials.
Related Material Guides
Compare other common materials and see which ReCollective bag or service to use.
