What to do with plastic bags??

Question

I reuse the plastic bags from the supermarket for the bathroom trash and whatever is left over i bring back to the supermarket.

Now what do i do with the bags that my sons diapers come in, the bags the wrap button down shirts when you first buy them, .... e.t.c.

can these be recycled with the my plastics? or can i only throw them in the trash? I hate to keep throwing them away when if they can be recycled.

... by the way what other things can be recycled besides the obvious cardboard, cans, bottles

Thanks in advance

Answer 1

I put it in the recycle bin. I hope I'm supposed to do that.

Good question!

Answer 2

Check with your town or city's waste department. Many people assume that after they place their plastics in the bin, it's trucked away and will be recycled. However, this is not the case.

Most municipalities will only accept certain grades of plastic, more often than not excluding plastic bags. San Francisco sparked national attention last summer by banning plastic bags in large businesses. Some retail chains such as Stop & Shop, Trader Joe's, and Shaws have responded with their own recycling programs. Bring your unused plastic bags back to the store.

But better yet, don't use them in the first place! And opt for products with minimal packaging. Stock several canvas tote bags and bring them with you when you go shopping.

Answer 3

It depends on where you live.  Most places, they cannot be recycled, but I think they can be in California and other very liberal states.  (I live in Colorado, and I think I am the only liberal here, LOL)  Other things that can be recycled are cell phones and printer cartridges - your local schools should have programs for this kind of thing - and most plastic things can be recycled, like bottles, strawberry boxes, etc.  Also, before you even recycle paper, see if you can reuse it.  If there is a blank side, use it as scratch paper for things like grocery lists and phone messages.  Hope this helps!!!

Answer 4

Put them through the shreadder, they make good stuffing for shipping packages, stuffing pillows for the outdoor furniture it will not mold or mildew, make a punching bag & fill it up & take out your frustrations.

Answer 5

In Phoenix you cannot put them in with you regular recyclable items but I know that Albertsons Grocery accepts them and I take all of mine there for recycling.

Thanks for caring about the environment

Answer 6

there are special banks where you can recycle plastic bags , often seen in supermarket carparks, depending on the size. if you shop in Tesco thry give you clubcard pionts everytime you re-use one of their plastic bags to put shopping in, which is a realy good idea.

Answer 7

I bring the plastic bags from the grocery store to the  small, local thrift shops.    .     .     they are ever so grateful.  (I also bring wire hangers to the dry cleaners).

Answer 8

At a church fundraiser that I went to recently, women had cut the bags into strips and were using the strips to crochet really cute and strong bags / purses with shoulder straps. The kind of bag you would take towels to the beach or gym. The color of the bags determined the color of the purse / bag.

Answer 9

reuse or recycle any way you can

Answer 10

I'm not sure that you can recycle the bags with your other plastics, glass, and cans... you CAN recycle aluminum foil though.

Here is a helpful website I just found:

http://www.ehow.com/how_10885_recycle-pl...

Another great alternative is to buy a couple of canvas bags that you can take with you to the grocery store and reuse them instead of the plastic bags.  Trader Joe's sells bags which can be reused.

... I believe California actually banned the use of plastic bags at grocery stores.

Answer 11

you can put them in your recyling bin, or you can call your grocery store and ask if you can put them in with the other plastic bags

Answer 12

Donate them to your local thrift shop or disabled workshops.

Answer 13

but them over head and place a rubber band so no air can escape