Ways to Recycle and Reuse Plastic Grocery Bags

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How to Recycle and Reuse Plastic Grocery Bags

Only a fraction of the plastic bags produced in the United States ends up being properly recycled. Here are some ways to reuse and recycle plastic wrap around your home.

Plastic grocery bags were first introduced to US stores in 1977. In 2018, 41 years later, the Environmental Protection Agency estimated that about 4 were generated in US stores alone. , 2 million tons of plastic bags, bags, and containers. Alarmingly, the EPA also estimates that only 10 percent of that plastic has been recycled.

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Because few people recycle them, millions of tons of plastic bags are produced each year, used once, and thrown away. Now our oceans are full of plastic, posing a serious danger to ocean life. And our landfills are clogged with bags that will take more than 500 years to decompose naturally.

But there are many ways that people can reuse, reuse, and recycle plastic grocery bags in ways that don't harm our environment. See how to recycle plastic bags in your area, along with some ways to reuse them around the house.

How to Recycle Plastic Bags

Obviously, the best thing to do with plastic bags is to recycle them professionally. Unfortunately, the plastic grocery bag type is not accepted in standard recycling systems.

Instead, you'll need to take them to plastic film recycling bins commonly found in retail centers and, as appropriate, supermarkets. Search this database to find plastic film waste in your area.

Ways to Reuse Plastic Bags

In addition to recycling, it would be best for the environment to avoid disposable plastics altogether. That's not a realistic goal, at least not yet. In the meantime, here are some things you can do with all the plastic bags in your home.

Lining Small Trash Bins

Make garbage disposal easier by lining small paper baskets in your home with plastic shopping bags. When it's full, empty the bag into a larger trash can instead of throwing it away. This would defeat the purpose of "reusing" the bag.

Packing Material for Moving Boxes

Old plastic bags are a great replacement for packing peanuts, whether you're carrying boxes of old things to store or shipping a package of produce across the country.

Wrap Shoes in Luggage

Do you want to pack your shoes with the rest of your clothes without making a mess? Wrap your shoes in plastic bags and put them in your suitcase.

Doggie Bags

Instead of buying plastic bags to clean up your pet's mess, why not reuse the plastic bags you have? Tie a pair to your dog's collar so that on long walks you always have a way to catch your dog.