Recycle

Can You Bag Your Recycling in Plastic Bags?

We’ve recently had TWO reader questions about placing recyclables in plastic bags for curbside pickup.

“Is it true that we cannot put recyclables in clear/blue “recycle” trash bags?” – Eliezer

“This is random, but I remember reading something on the Green Philly Blog that I now can’t find for the life of me. I could swear that Philly doesn’t want recycling placed into plastic bags because it gunks up the sorting equipment.” – Alon

Should you bag your recyclables in Philadelphia?

The simple answer is NO to bagging your recyclables in plastic bags. They get stuck in our MRF (Materials Recovery Facility) centers and disrupt the recycling cycles.

You can put your recyclables in paper bags although this can often lead to more litter with wind / spillage / etc.

Best case scenario: get a FREE blue bin from the City. Here’s where to find a free recycling bin.

 

Julie Hancher

Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake.

Recent Posts

Speeding cameras, asthma capitals, & more

Catch up on the latest sustainability news:  Speeding cameras installed on Broad Street. The Philadelphia…

8 hours ago

Organizing hope in tough political times: How PennEnvironment’s Flora Cardoni is fighting for a livable climate

The Deputy Director of PennEnvironment talks about the power of collective advocacy, the frustrations of…

2 days ago

SEPTA restores service, rally for clean air, secondhand clothes, & more

Catch up on the latest sustainability news:  SEPTA uses capital funds to avoid cuts for…

1 week ago

SEPTA’s crisis didn’t happen overnight. Meet the long-time advocates who’ve been fighting all along.

For years, advocates have warned about SEPTA’s future. Their fight for permanent funding continues beyond…

1 week ago

Can I eat that? Local mushroom enthusiasts answer foraging questions from taste to preserving biodiversity.

New to foraging? We took a walk with the Philadelphia Mycology Club to find out…

1 week ago

SEPTA pauses cuts, Mini-grants for walkable neighborhoods, & more

Catch up on the latest sustainability news:  Announcing the SustainPHL nominees. Green Philly is hosting…

2 weeks ago