Dry cleaning bags, food wrappers, bread wrappers, grocery store bags...plastic is everywhere and is one of the most common, and most destructive items in our waste stream. But thanks to a new program, you can now recycle any type plastic bag or wrapping.
RethinkWaste and South Bay Recycling (SBR) announced on Thursday that plastic bags can now be dropped off for recycling at the Shoreway Environmental Center’s Public Recycling Center in San Carlos.
Referred to as “film plastic,” the types of accepted plastic bags include grocery, dry cleaning, produce, bread and frozen food bags – basically any type of plastic bag that stretches when pulled. Shrink wrap is also accepted. The bags and shrink wrap must be clean and empty, with no food inside.
“We are excited to offer this new recycling service for a difficult to handle item that is now so common place in the waste stream,” noted Kevin McCarthy, Executive Director of RethinkWaste.
"We also continue to support our Member Agencies efforts and other public policy efforts to limit the use of plastic bags and support reusable bags and other more sustainable forms of packaging,” added McCarthy.
The Public Recycling Center also accepts a number of other items for recycling
in addition to film plastic:
Used motor antifreeze (up to 10 gallons)
Latex paint (up to 10 gallons)
Electronics (computers, TVs, cell phones, etc.)
Household and car batteries
Sharps (must be in authorized sharps container)
Cooking oil (residential only up to 15 gallons)
Clothing
Working household goods
Fluorescent light tubes (household only, 6 tubes per
visit, must be less than 6ft)
Cardboard*
Mixed paper
Glass
Cans
Plastic containers #1-7
Used motor oil filters
Used motor oil (up to 15 gallons)
Hard and soft cover books
Scrap metal
*There is also a purchase program for clean cardboard from customers with large volumes. A minimum of 300 pounds of clean cardboard is required for payment.
The Public Recycling Center is open Mondays through Saturdays from 8:30 am to 4:00 p.m., and can be accessed through Gate 1 at Shoreway, located at 333 Shoreway Rd. in San Carlos.
For more information, go to RethinkWaste.org or call 650-802-3500.
