What is Plastic Film?

Plastic film is a highly common type of waste today.  Plastic bags are considered plastic film. Even though plastic grocery bags were banned from use by commercial businesses in New York State, other plastic bags are common. Typically when people think of plastic pollution, this is what comes to mind.  They are also dangerous for our wildlife and wreak havoc on ecosystems.

In today’s marketplace, when plastic films are recycled properly, they are a highly usable commodity. They are made into small pellets which are made into new bags, pallets, containers, crates, and pipes.  

Below is a list from the NYS DEC of acceptable film plastics for return to retail film plastic recycling.  Please note that all materials must be CLEAN and dry and ALL food residue should be removed.  Receipts should also be removed.

Plastic films should not be put in household recycling bins and should only be put in film plastics recycling bins. Consumers can dispose of many plastic films at certain retail stores and most grocery stores. 

Tip: If the plastic is stretchy, it's typically plastic film.  

The law required that stores collect film plastics, which include:

• grocery bags 
• garment bags
• retail bags with string ties removed
• newspaper bags
• dry cleaning bags
• produce bags
• bread bags
• cereal bags (but if it tears like paper, do not include it)
• overwrap from paper products (paper towels, toilet paper, etc.)
• stretch/shrink wrap
• zip top food storage bags
• bubble wrap
• air pillows found inside shipping packages (must be deflated)
• shipping envelopes (must be all film plastic, labels removed)
• furniture and electronic wrap
• any film packaging or bag with the "How2Recycle" label indicating that it is plastic film and can be returned to store drop off

Tip: If the plastic is stretchy, it's typically plastic film.  

UNACCEPTABLE items for return to retail film plastic recycling                                                   

• food containers
• bottles
• degradable, compostable bags or film packaging                                                                     
• salad bags
• frozen food bags
• six-pack rings
• chip bags
• snack/candy wrappers

Please note: Compostable bags cannot be recycled in film plastics recycling bins or household recycling bins.