RECYCLING PLASTIC BAGS IN FLEXIBLE PACKAGING
Are plastic bags recyclable? It’s a question environmentally conscious consumers and brands ask frequently. With numerous types of plastic and varying regulations to consider, the answer is too complicated for a simple yes or no.
For many years, flexible packaging has been widely categorized as non-recyclable. Most flexible packaging is made from several different materials, with each layer serving a specific purpose to protect packaged goods. While these layers play a crucial role in reducing waste and preserving quality, recycling facilities cannot currently separate the different materials in the structure for processing.
However, due to modern chemical and technological innovations, converters can now offer a viable solution for brands and consumers who want to recycle the plastic bags their products are packaged in. Let’s take a look at a new solution for sustainable flexible packaging and answer the question, “Can you recycle plastic bags?”
MONO-MATERIALS FOR RECYCLING BAGS
The most crucial factor when recycling plastic bags is the material complexity of the packaging structure. If a package consists of only one material, it can be processed with other materials in the same category. As of 2025, two conditions must be met for a flexible bag to be considered recyclable.
- The packaging structure must consist of a single material type (with some exceptions for tie layers, additives, etc.).
- The structure must be officially accepted by a recycling facility for processing.
In the United States today, only one plastic meets these criteria and enables people to recycle plastic bags: polyethylene.
Recycling Plastic Bags Made From Polyethylene (PE)
PE can function as a structural layer, a sealant, a print web, and even a thermal laminate, making it the ideal material for mono-material, multi-functional flexible packaging. This stretchy plastic was once considered unsuitable for printing and shaping, but modern innovations have yielded new blends that run more smoothly. Now PE is utilized not only in grocery bags and bread bags but also commercial applications like stand-up pouches, flow wrappers, stick packs, and pillow bags.
Unlike most other types of plastic, flexible PE packaging is rarely accepted in curbside recycling. Instead, facilities such as grocery stores and retail outlets serve as collection points where consumers and end users can recycle plastic bags. The Flexible Film Recycling Alliance (FFRA) has even developed a directory to help people identify local drop-off locations. How2Recycle lays out the criteria for commercial PE packaging that can be accepted for recycling. The packaging…
- Must be clean of food debris,
- Should consist of HDPE (#2) or LDPE (#4) plastic,
- Should be certified recyclable, as denoted on the packaging.
According to GreenBlue, the parent organization of How2Recycle and many other sustainability-focused projects, the most recycled type of PE is grocery bags. With more flexible packaging converters turning to entirely PE structures, they hope to see more flexible packaging enter the recycling stream in the coming years. Regardless of the form the PE film takes, it can be repurposed in a wide variety of ways.
Many commercial PE drop-off locations partner with companies like Trex, the largest PE recycler in the US, to ensure the recycled plastics are reused in a way that enhances their value. Trex offers rebates and compensation to companies for collecting acceptable materials, creating a strong motivation for continued recycling of bags.
Want to Learn More About Recycling Plastic Bags?
If you have any questions about how PE can fit into your flexible packaging portfolio as a recyclable solution, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. Get in touch with our application engineering experts to learn more about how your business can reach its sustainability goals with flexible packaging.
