Earth Talk
Clinging plastic like Saran wrap is difficult to recycle
because the resin it contains that gives it wrapping
power cannot be extracted without massive amounts
of energy -¬ more than it would take to make it new
from scratch. And given that it’s usually soiled with
some kind of food, used plastic wrap should always
just go right into the trash. Pictured: A 1961 magazine
ad for Handi-Wrap.--
Pink Ponk Studios, courtesy Flickr.
because the resin it contains that gives it wrapping
power cannot be extracted without massive amounts
of energy -¬ more than it would take to make it new
from scratch. And given that it’s usually soiled with
some kind of food, used plastic wrap should always
just go right into the trash. Pictured: A 1961 magazine
ad for Handi-Wrap.--
Pink Ponk Studios, courtesy Flickr.
For that matter, if you are going to the trouble to wash them, you may as well dry and reuse them at home a
few times before relegating them to the recycling bin. There are even small countertop racks available for
hanging plastic bags to dry before reusing them.
Clinging plastic like Saran wrap is problematic for recyclers because the resin that it contains (to give it
wrapping power) cannot be re-extracted without massive amounts of energy—more than it takes to make
it new from scratch. And given that it’s usually soiled with some kind of food, used plastic wrap should
always just go right into the trash.
Other non-recyclable plastic films include dark-colored plastic bags, bags with handles or drawstrings,
and anything else designed to be wrapped around food. Since you can’t even rinse or recycle these kinds
of plastics, it’s better to avoid them altogether and invest in some reusable containers to store leftovers.
Another option is to use plastic grocery store shopping bags (though they are increasingly being phased
out) to wrap your food leftovers in. Many municipalities and most stores that provide such bags accept
them for recycling, so once you’re done with them they can be recycled or returned to the store, after
which they can be melted down and incorporated into weather- and rot-resistant window and door frames,
decking (such as Trex), palettes, pipes and other long-lasting hard goods. Like with sandwich and other
bags you intend to recycle, make sure plastic grocery bags are clean before you turn them in for recycling.
If you are a Ziploc bag or plastic wrap fanatic but want to do the right thing by the environment, look for
plastic food storage film or bags made from biodegradable polymers. Some popular brand names to keep
an eye out for at Whole Foods and elsewhere are Eco Wrap, EcoFlex and BioBag. These plastics—some of
which are made from agricultural scraps left over from corn crops—can go right in with yard waste or
other compostables and will break down over time accordingly just like cardboard or food scraps. With
time major brands will undoubtedly be offering similar products.
But even though there may in fact be “greener” plastic out there, reducing our reliance on disposable bags
few times before relegating them to the recycling bin. There are even small countertop racks available for
hanging plastic bags to dry before reusing them.
Clinging plastic like Saran wrap is problematic for recyclers because the resin that it contains (to give it
wrapping power) cannot be re-extracted without massive amounts of energy—more than it takes to make
it new from scratch. And given that it’s usually soiled with some kind of food, used plastic wrap should
always just go right into the trash.
Other non-recyclable plastic films include dark-colored plastic bags, bags with handles or drawstrings,
and anything else designed to be wrapped around food. Since you can’t even rinse or recycle these kinds
of plastics, it’s better to avoid them altogether and invest in some reusable containers to store leftovers.
Another option is to use plastic grocery store shopping bags (though they are increasingly being phased
out) to wrap your food leftovers in. Many municipalities and most stores that provide such bags accept
them for recycling, so once you’re done with them they can be recycled or returned to the store, after
which they can be melted down and incorporated into weather- and rot-resistant window and door frames,
decking (such as Trex), palettes, pipes and other long-lasting hard goods. Like with sandwich and other
bags you intend to recycle, make sure plastic grocery bags are clean before you turn them in for recycling.
If you are a Ziploc bag or plastic wrap fanatic but want to do the right thing by the environment, look for
plastic food storage film or bags made from biodegradable polymers. Some popular brand names to keep
an eye out for at Whole Foods and elsewhere are Eco Wrap, EcoFlex and BioBag. These plastics—some of
which are made from agricultural scraps left over from corn crops—can go right in with yard waste or
other compostables and will break down over time accordingly just like cardboard or food scraps. With
time major brands will undoubtedly be offering similar products.
But even though there may in fact be “greener” plastic out there, reducing our reliance on disposable bags
altogether should be the ultimate goal. Luckily many grocery chains are hip to greening their own operations and image, and are giving away or
selling for a nominal amount reusable canvas shopping bags so customers don't have to choose between wasting plastic and paper at the
checkout line.
CONTACTS: PlasticBagRecycling.org, www.plasticbagrecycling.org; Trex, www.trex.com; BioBag, www.biobagusa.com.
SEND YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTIONS TO: EarthTalk®, c/o E – The Environmental Magazine, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881;
earthtalk@emagazine.com. E is a nonprofit publication.
selling for a nominal amount reusable canvas shopping bags so customers don't have to choose between wasting plastic and paper at the
checkout line.
CONTACTS: PlasticBagRecycling.org, www.plasticbagrecycling.org; Trex, www.trex.com; BioBag, www.biobagusa.com.
SEND YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTIONS TO: EarthTalk®, c/o E – The Environmental Magazine, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881;
earthtalk@emagazine.com. E is a nonprofit publication.
Dear EarthTalk: Where do you recycle plastic stuff like sandwich bags, Saran wrap and plastic grocery
store wrappers? Can they just go in with other plastics in the recycling bin? There never seems to be
any information available about this. -- Renee La-Fountaine, Lake Hughes, CA
The reason you don’t hear much about recycling these types of plastic films is that most municipalities
don’t take back items intended to wrap food. One exception may be sandwich bags, which are made
from easy-to-recycle polyethylene, as long as any hard (i.e. “Ziploc”) components are removed and
they are rinsed free of any food debris or stains.
store wrappers? Can they just go in with other plastics in the recycling bin? There never seems to be
any information available about this. -- Renee La-Fountaine, Lake Hughes, CA
The reason you don’t hear much about recycling these types of plastic films is that most municipalities
don’t take back items intended to wrap food. One exception may be sandwich bags, which are made
from easy-to-recycle polyethylene, as long as any hard (i.e. “Ziploc”) components are removed and
they are rinsed free of any food debris or stains.