Plastic bags are recycled into many different products. Most plastic bags are recycled into composite lumber but can also be reprocessed into small pellets, or post consumer resin, which can become feed stock for a variety of products such as new bags, pallets, containers, crates, and pipe.

You can help by returning clean, dry, empty plastic bags to recycling drop off centers or retailers and municipalities that provide designated plastic bag recycling bins. Use the "Find a drop off location" search box below to find a municipal recycling center, private recycler, or retail store near you. Please note what the drop off location accepts. While some drop off locations accept all clean #2 and #4 plastic bags, some stores accept plastic grocery bags only.

In which state are you located?
Please note: This is a new resource and the directory depends on data entry from companies and local jurisdictions. Information may not yet be available for your specific location. We appreciate your patience.

Grocery bags
Retail bags (hard plastic and string handles removed)
Paper towel and toilet paper plastic wrap
Plastic newspaper bags
Plastic dry cleaning bags
All clean, clear bags labeled with a #2 or #4

Note: Please recycle only plastic bags that are clean and dry. Please
remove receipts.

Do NOT include the following.
The following are considered contaminants and could jeopardize recycling programs:

NO food or cling wrap
NO prepackaged food bags including frozen food bags
(e.g., prewashed salad bags)
NO film that has been painted or has excessive glue
NO other bags or films
NO bio-based or compostable plastic bags

>> Learn more about determining plastic bag and film types

Recycling of plastic bags and polyethylene (PE) film is not available everywhere; however, many retail stores and some municipal drop-offs in the United States collect plastic bags and polyethylene film for recycling. This web site provides the public, municipalities and businesses a means to identify retail stores and recovery facilities that collect plastic bags and film for recycling.