Can I put plastic bags in my recycling bin?

Do not put your recyclables in a plastic bag for recycling. 

  • The recycling sorters do not have the time to check each bag to determine if the bagged material is trash or recycling so, it will be pulled out as trash.  
  • If you must bag your recycling, put it in paper bags.  

  • Do not put empty plastic bags or plastic film, such as case wrap, bubble wrap, mailer envelopes and dry-cleaning plastic in with your curbside recycling.  
  • This material is designed to stretch. When it comes through the recycling facility it will wrap around the sorting equipment, potentially causing damage, delays and increasing costs.  
  • Plastic bags and plastic film can be recycled separately and brought to certain grocery stores and other retail locations. Go to https://plasticfilmrecycling.org/ to find locations.
  • Many towns also offer separate collections of plastic bags and film at their transfer stations. Check at your local transfer station to see if they offer such a collection.clarification on recycling and composting in Connecticut, RecycleCT is here to help. Together, we can make the holidays a little lighter on our landfills and more intentional overall.  
Cutting Plastic Film - CT MRF
Employee at CT MRF manually cutting plastic bags and plastic film from entangled in equipment.

Consider reducing your use of plastic bags and plastic film. 

  • Stores in Connecticut should not be providing plastic bags for purchases, but better yet, always have a reusable bag on hand not only for grocery shopping, but also for other purchases as well, farmers markets, department stores, clothes shopping.  
  • Purchase items without the plastic wrapping and use reusable snack and sandwich bags or wrappings instead of plastic ones. One step at a time.  It all makes a difference!