Can You Recycle Plastic Bags?
No
Not curbside — return to store drop-off bins
Why
Plastic bags are the number one contaminant in curbside recycling. They wrap around sorting equipment and force facilities to shut down lines several times a day.
How to dispose of plastic bags
- Return clean, dry bags to the drop-off bins at grocery and retail stores
- Include bread bags, produce bags, and zip-top bags (clean and dry)
- Never bag your recyclables — keep everything loose in the bin
Greener option
Switch to reusable totes; one tote replaces hundreds of single-use bags per year.
♻️ 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.