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Plastic bags are made out of "film", or thin flexible sheets of plastic. Plastic film is typically defined as any plastic less than 10 mm thick. The majority of plastic films are made from polyethylene resin and are readily recyclable if the material is clean, dry, and not pigmented black.

The resin coding system was originally intended for rigid plastic containers only. However, many manufacturers are now putting the code on plastic films too. Check out www.plasticsresource.com for more information about plastics recycling, resin codes, and other types of plastic. If no resin code is printed on the plastic film or bag, the film's application may indicate the resin type since different resins are chosen for their unique performance or observe the film's characteristics and appearance and compare to the descriptions below.

RESIN CODE	CHARACTERISTICS AND EXAMPLES
	LDPE - Low Density Polyethylene (unpigmented films have high clarity, moderate stretch & strength characteristics) Bags (e.g., thicker newspaper bags, bread bags) Bubble wrap (may also contain nylon) Note: Bubble wrap recycling can be difficult without local markets due to shipping constraints.
	LLDPE - Linear Low Density Polyethylene (unpigmented films have moderate clarity, slightly tacky feel to the touch) Bags (e.g. clear, thin newspaper bags) Dry cleaning film
	MDPE - Medium Density Polyethylene (unpigmented films have moderate clarity, poor stretch and strength characteristics) Consumer paper packaging (i.e. toilet paper, paper towel) Note: MDPE is a variation on the production of LDPE and is often labeled #4. It’s generally used as an alternative to other resins in film applications where strength is not required.
	HDPE - High Density Polyethylene (unpigmented films have some opacity, crinkle to the touch, low stretch, can tear easily, high strength) Most grocery bags T-shirt bags Bags with sealed air for packaging (e.g., air cushion) Note: Release air from air cushions before including with bags.

Check out www.plasticsresource.com for more information about plastics recycling, resin codes, and other types of plastic.

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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.

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.