Can You Recycle Bubble Wrap?
No
Not in curbside bins — use store drop-off
Why
Bubble wrap is plastic film. It tangles in the sorting machinery at recycling facilities, causing shutdowns, so virtually no curbside program accepts it.
How to dispose of bubble wrap
- Take it to a plastic-film drop-off bin, found at most large grocery and retail stores
- Make sure it is clean and dry, and pop nothing — deflating is not required
- Never put it in your curbside bin, even bagged
Greener option
Reuse it for shipping or storage, or offer it to a local shipping store — many accept clean packing materials.
♻️ Recycling rules vary by city and hauler — when in doubt, check your local program. You can look up your area on our trash & recycling schedules page.