Plastic Bag Recycling

dinondelilah Oct 07, 2012 16 Comments

Does anyone know where I can recycle plastic shopping bags (besides Walmart, because I have heard a rumor that they sell them for their own profit)?

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16 Comments

Paul Lundgren

about 11 years ago

For the past three years, Super One stores have taken plastic bags and shrink wrap. Bins are located in the entryway of the stores.

Paul Lundgren

about 11 years ago

I don't quite understand this criticism of Walmart.

1) It's based on a rumor, which means it's based on nothing.

2) I would think the important question would be whether the plastic collected at Walmart ends up in the hands of a reputable recycling company, and if it does, more power to Walmart if it can make money off of collecting plastic. If the plastic is not being properly recycled, then that is certainly reason to be displeased with Walmart.

If this post leads us to the answer to this question, then it will ultimately be useful to have brought up the rumor. If it leads people to just wildly speculate about how evil Walmart is, that would be a shame.

jessige

about 11 years ago

Target also has a bin for bag recycling located just inside the front door in the vestibule.

And as for Walmart taking profit from the bags, according to a report prepared for the American Chemistry Council, "Many large chains have recovered ï¬lm and bag material for over two decadesâ€”because they benefit from revenue from the scrap material, avoided disposal costs, and the goodwill they extend to their communities" (emphasis mine).

Link to PDF of the report

JPERSCH

about 11 years ago

I worked for Lowe's for five years as the backroom manager and can tell you that we profited from most of our recycling programs including appliances, plastics and cardboard. But, we paid more than the profit for the recycling of light bulbs and hazardous materials. You won't believe how much we took back in terms of hazmat. From bug spray to driveway sealer. And people would just leave their old paint in the parking lot so they didn't have to deal with it!

Adem

about 11 years ago

You can also bring it to the Whole Foods Co-op, but rumor has it they run a for-profit organization too.

And as long as I'm being snarky, the first link on Google is to WLSSD's "Recycling Other Things" page.

Joel

about 11 years ago

Remember: If it wasn't for profit, there would not be most recycling! Nothing wrong with recycling for profit; I've made over $8 million this year for my employer in scrap sales and recycling.

lojasmo

about 11 years ago

1 any supermarket.
2 wal mart sucks.

lojasmo

about 11 years ago

Store Wars: When Wal-Mart Comes to Town

Adem

about 11 years ago

2. Yeah.
3. That link is 10 years old.

kerc

about 11 years ago

Mt Royal foods also takes them -- the bin isn't in a super clear location, but they do take them.

I could give a rip whether or not the company makes cash on recycling bags, as long as they stay out of the landfill. When we actively recycle all the plastic bags, seals, wrappings, etc. we (and by that I mean I) can see a real difference in the volume of trash Hartel's has to pick up. But it is a pain in the rear. My husband isn't such an avid plastic bag recycler.

ESchumann

about 11 years ago

If you want to help out a little guy my brother-in-law owns Central Sales and reuses the bags for his costumers. Obviously he can't take ever bag but I would bet he may take some or most of them. Just stop in and ask him.

dinondelilah

about 11 years ago

I just want the money they make to go to the best place possible, so if anyone knew somewhere that was so awesome to bring my bags, I wanted them to go there. Thanks for all the genuine answers and snarky comments.

governmenthookah

about 11 years ago

Every place you want to go and recycle bags is going to profit from it. Walmart takes every scrap of plastic used in the stores, hangers and script bottles and stuff, and bags that people bring in and they compact it into a huge recycle bail. They're performing a small service and are making a very tiny profit from that. If you don't want these big bad corporations to profit off of you, I would worry less about recycling there and more about what items I'm buying there that I could be getting local.

thatkidhimself

about 11 years ago

I like to bring my bags for re-use to the Salvation Army in Superior; they always seem to need and appreciate them.  I assume the Sal in Duluth is the same; also probably St. Michael's downtown.  Can't hurt to ask!

in.dog.neato

about 11 years ago

fill 'em with rocks and chuck 'em in the lake.

no, wait. *Don't* fill 'em with rocks and chuck 'em in the lake.

got it?

ruby2sd4y

about 11 years ago

Super One Plaza or Cub Foods.
Done deal.

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