Recycle Smarter with How2Recycle Program

We get it. It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the process of recycling but like we mentioned in our last blog, the states and many more businesses are making it easier to recycle without much of the headache. Currently, How2Recycle is a national program that’s paired up with a number of businesses to help make recycling plastic items more accessible to the public.  

As the US seeks to improve recycling infrastructure, some of your favorite stores teamed up with the company to offer on-site recycling for flexible packaging – this includes plastic wrappers, bags, films etc.. So far, plastic bags, wraps, and films can’t be recycled in your curbside recycling bins, but with these partnerships you can finally take some of these items to participating stores where they can be collected and recycled!  

 Any flexible plastic packaging you see made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE), including grocery and produce bags, bread bags, some cereal bags etc., with a How2Recycle Store Drop-Off label can dropped off with this system and all you have to do is find the bin when you go shopping.  

Stores like Target and Walmart are some of the bigger retailers part of this program and what’s nice is that packaging can be dropped off even if you didn’t make a purchase at the drop off site. If you purchased packages online...not a problem! You can still take the items to any participating retail store with a plastic bag recycling bin.  

With a program like this, there are however a few restrictions to know before you throw, such as, cleaning and drying your bags, wraps, or films prior to dropping them off. If there is residue that can’t be removed, it’s probably best to dump the item in the trash. The same goes for plastic mailers as shipping labels on these items must be removed to avoid contaminating the bins. Other items such as biodegradable or compostable bags, pre-washed salad mix bags, candy wrappers, and pet food bags are not accepted. Finally, if you don’t see a How2Recycle label on the package, you will have to take the trash elsewhere.   

So what are you waiting for?

It’s time to begin your journey to better recycling! Start by locating a participating store via this link and tell us what you think!