Unwrapping the Secrets of Package Recycling
Although bubble wrap and packing peanuts are made of plastic, they are not recyclable in your curbside cart.
Bubble Wrap – Reuse or Grocery Drop Off
Bubble wrap is usually made from a film plastic called low-density polyethylene #4 (LDPE). Solid or rigid forms of #4 plastics, like containers, are often accepted in curbside recycling programs. But, film plastics are not accepted because they tangle and disrupt the recycling sorting machines and are difficult to keep unsoiled. Once you’ve finished popping each bubble, be sure to throw it in the garbage instead of in the recycling. If you can resist the bubble-popping temptation, you can save the un-popped bubble wrap to reuse for future storage, shipping, and packing. You can also recycle bubble wrap separately at local grocery stores.
Packing Peanuts – Reuse
Polystyrene, also known as known as Styrofoam, is used to create everyday materials like packing peanuts, foam cups and plates, and other packaging materials. #6 Polystyrene cannot be recycled at the curb because it does not break down well at the recycling plant and there are very limited uses to make new products from polystyrene. Plates and other food containers made from polystyrene often have food waste on them, which can contaminate the other recyclable materials.
Packing peanuts are just expanded, air filled polystyrene. They are 95% air, all volume and no weight, so it makes for a great insulator and packing material.
Packing peanuts are also a problem at the recycling center because they blow away with the wind and take up space. If you prefer to have them recycled, try your local shipping stores like Kinko’s or FedEx, as many of them have recycling programs in place.
To wrap things up, consider reusing bubble wrap and packing peanuts. Clean and dry bubble wrap can also be brought back to participating grocery stores and retail locations.
More Recycling Resources
