For example:
• Garbage bags and bin liners: Many garbage bags and bin liners are made with recycled plastic film.
• Certain product packaging: The clear plastic film used to wrap bottled water, tissue packs, and other bulk products is often made from recycled film or virgin resin.
• Playground equipment, park benches, and even new plastic shopping bags: All of these can be manufactured using recycled plastics.
But how are these materials actually recycled?
Today, let's take a look at the basics of
bubble wrap recycling.
Bubble wrap is a flexible plastic film, typically made from
polyethylene (PE). It is generally not accepted in curbside recycling programs. Placing bubble wrap in a standard recycling bin can actually interfere with the sorting and recycling of other recyclable materials.
Although bubble wrap is extremely lightweight, it is a highly valuable packaging material because it protects products while helping reduce transportation costs. However, since packaging often contains other materials, bubble wrap should be prepared before recycling by removing any adhesive tape, bundling the clean bubble wrap together, and taking it to a designated plastic film recycling collection point.
By following these simple steps, bubble wrap can be properly recycled into new plastic products instead of being unnecessarily sent to landfill, helping conserve resources and support a more sustainable circular economy.