DNR Joins Plastics Recycling Initiative

A discarded plastic grocery bag stuck in a cherry tree on County E just outside of Egg Harbor. Photo by Jim Lundstrom.

If you’ve ever driven by a landfill on a windy day, you’ve seen how plastic shopping bags take flight and disperse across the landscape. It’s an environmental nightmare that does not have to be.

Plastic bags and films can be recycled. Several area businesses have been recycling plastic bags for years. In Sturgeon Bay, Pick ‘n’ Save, Target and Walmart have plastic recycling bins. In Sister Bay, Piggly Wiggly also has plastic bag recycling.

The Department of Natural Resources recently announced it has joined a statewide public-private initiative to reduce plastic waste and increase plastic film recycling.

The Wisconsin Wrap Recycling Action Program (WRAP) enlists retailers, manufacturers and local governments in collecting recyclable plastic film from their own operations and the public.

Grocery and other retail stores, distribution centers, volunteer groups and local governments can support Wisconsin WRAP by collecting their own plastic case wrapping, bags and packaging material by setting up a local collection program and by registering their locations as community drop-off centers. Private citizens can participate by recycling their clean and dry packaging wrap.

The DNR’s website provides free information on how to recycle plastic bags and film and how to find local drop-off locations (wi.gov/topic/recycling/bags.html). The site also provides free education materials, signs and posters for local governments, businesses, volunteers or civic groups expanding their plastic film recycling and outreach efforts.

“It’s a great chance for local businesses and organizations to accomplish something positive for the environment and create jobs in Wisconsin while keeping valuable materials out of local landfills,” said Cynthia Moore of the DNR’s Waste and Materials Management Program.

Plastic film recycling recovers clean, dry plastic wrap, bags and film and reuses them as raw material for manufacturing products, such as new plastic bags, composite lumber, park benches and playground equipment.

While wrap, bags and film are in high demand, many people are not aware they are recyclable. Retail drop-off points are crucial to the WRAP project because plastic wrap, bags and film clog curbside recycling machinery and are difficult to separate from other materials. The plastics industry strongly encourages recyclers to use retail drop-off locations rather than include them in curbside collection programs.

The DNR is partnering with the American Chemistry Council’s Flexible Film Recycling Group and GreenBlue’s Sustainable Packaging Coalition to make Wisconsin the first and model state for the WRAP initiative.

A 2012 DNR plastics recycling study concluded that $64 million worth of used plastics are landfilled in Wisconsin each year.

For more information on plastic wrap and film recycling, or how your business or community can join the initiative, visit the DNR’s website or contact Cynthia Moore at 608.267.7550.

Plastic items that can be recycled:

• furniture wrap

• electronic wrap

• clean and dry plastic food storage bags (e.g. Ziploc Bags)

• plastic cereal box liners (if it tears like paper do not include)

• Tyvek (peel or cut off labels)

• plastic shipping envelopes, bubble wrap, and air pillows (deflate/remove labels if possible)

• case wrap (e.g., snacks, water bottles)

• all clean, dry bags labeled #2 or #4