[Beauchamp]

So, on the rare occasion we forget our cloth bags, we recycle our grocery bags. I keep one under the sink to collect any plastic wrap, too, which I believe is also a #4 plastic (and can go with those bags.) But I put other things in there, too, and am wondering if I am doing more harm than good, like plastic bags from shredded cheese, Ziploc bags when we have them, any plastic film-like packaging from food, etc.<br><br>
What else can go in those #4 bins? Is anything plastic baggy-like or film-like okay? What about bags like pretzel bags?<br><br>
Anyone know more?

 

[AllyRae]

I'm pretty sure *just* plastic grocery bags can go in them. Otherwise, they'd say otherwise, I'm sure... For all I know, they recycle the plastic bags by reusing them again and having to sort through trash makes it harder. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol">:

 

[Drummer's Wife]

I also thought they re-used them, so I would only put grocery bags in them from that store.<br><br>
My Target has several bins out - one for recycling bags, one for electronics, and another for hard plastics like bottles.<br><br>
We have curb-side recylcing, so I put everything allowed in there. I guess ask at your store to see what they say?

 

[2xy]

I really don't think they reuse the bags directly out of the recycling bin.<br><br>
1) Lots of people put bags from all different stores in there<br>
2) Meat juice and other debris would make that sort of nasty<br>
3) Our local supermarket asks us to tie them in a knot to save space<br><br>
That being said, I wouldn't put anything besides bags in there. It's not the store's job to process your household waste.

 

[AllyRae]

Oh, good point about the meat juice. I forgot about that...LOL!

 

[Beauchamp]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>2xy</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/15403751"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">That being said, I wouldn't put anything besides bags in there. It's not the store's job to process your household waste.</div>
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I truly was not trying to put trash in the bin, if that's what you mean by household waste. I honestly thought I'd read that plastic film, like Saran Wrap, was the same recycle # as bags, and that it was okay to go in the bin. The times I have put saran and "other" bags (Ziploc type) I have washed them. Hope I didn't offend. I didn't mean trash, just an attempt to recycle more versus throwing it away.

 

[Manonash]

I think it depends on the store. My Kroger says that it will take any plastic bags that come from any store and it will take the shrink wrap that comes around cased products like toilet paper and bottled water and such. So, I'm assuming then, that that means they take #2 bags, plus #4 bags and shrink wrap (not the crinkley cellophane wrapping). I have no idea what saran wrap is.

 

[Beauchamp]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>Manonash</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/15405491"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">I think it depends on the store. My Kroger says that it will take any plastic bags that come from any store and it will take the shrink wrap that comes around cased products like toilet paper and bottled water and such. So, I'm assuming then, that that means they take #2 bags, plus #4 bags and shrink wrap (not the crinkley cellophane wrapping). I have no idea what saran wrap is.</div>
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Yes, that's what I mean. Another example is those air pillows that come as packaging, and they are labeled "#4 Please recycle." My town recycle truck doesn't take plastic bags, so I was hoping to take this kind of stuff to the grocery store. Guess I just need to check with my store. I can't imagine waiting in line at customer service for that answer, though. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/eyesroll.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="roll"> I will probably get someone who has no clue.<br><br>
Oh, and things like my nursing pad baggies. (Lansinoh..they come individually wrapped...UGH. These also are #4.)

 

[Beauchamp]

Today I looked at my store and saw a small sign which said the bin accepts grocery bags, dry cleaning bags, stretch film (saran wrap type), and newspaper bags.<br><br>
I guess that means no ziplocs. Bummer.