I certainly have! So I finally decided to google it!
The instructions on our recycle bin clearly state that plastic bags should not be thrown in there.
But why? Especially when we often hear how harmful these bags are to the environment.
According to the article below regarding recycling plastic bags, there is not an end market for the material after it has been collected in a single-stream recycling collection process. The plastic bags become dirty and contaminated once they are mixed with other recyclables and are less valuable as a result.
https://www.upmd.org/DocumentCenter/View/111/FAQs-on-Plastic-Bag-Ban-PDF?bidId=
The article further explains that the county’s materials recycling facility (mrf) uses an automated system that sorts and bales the recyclables and is not designed or engineered to process plastic bags. The bags jam and clog the machinery.
So what are we supposed to do with the plastic bags? Return to sender. The article says that some grocery stores and other retailers have plastic bag recycling programs.
So… the moral of this story is that you should shop with reusable bags and avoid the plastic ones when possible! Get your recycle on!
Andy Girl Is In Da Streets! 