Creating Change Through Soft Plastic Recycling At Your Business
Whether it’s bubble wrap, grocery bags, or shipping mailers, the volume of soft plastic waste generated by businesses can feel overwhelming. Unlike rigid plastics, soft plastics are difficult to recycle and sort from other materials in single-stream recycling programs like we have in the US.
Soft plastics make up roughly 36% of all U.S. plastic waste and they clog landfills, harm wildlife, and contribute to the 8 million metric tons of plastic entering oceans each year. Recycling soft plastics transforms these materials into high-value products like decking, furniture, and shipping materials, keeping waste out of the environment and conserving resources.
Soft Plastic Recycling At Your Business
For most business operators, soft plastics are virtually impossible to eliminate from the supply chain. They are the industry standard for securing and protecting goods. However, because these materials are engineered for durability, they persist in landfills for decades.
Recycling these plastics remains the most sustainable disposal path available for the film your business cannot avoid using or interacting with. By diverting these materials from the landfill, you ensure they are processed into new products rather than lasting in the landfill where they can take up to 500 years to decompose.
Close The Loop
Collected soft plastics are shredded, cleaned, and turned into post-consumer resin (PCR), which manufacturers use to make new products such as composite lumber for outdoor furniture, decking, or durable plastic envelopes. Recycling helps close the loop in a circular economy, reducing the need for new plastic production.
Increase Sustainability and ESG Reporting
More companies are tracking environmental efforts through ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) frameworks. Soft plastic recycling is a measurable, impactful action that can strengthen a business’s sustainability story and demonstrate real commitment to reducing landfill waste.
How Businesses Can Recycle Soft Plastics Successfully
Soft plastics are not accepted in most single-stream recycling programs because they jam and clog sorting machines. That’s why specialized drop-off locations or dedicated collection programs are essential. WasteNot makes this process simple for businesses in the Chicago area.
WasteNot Soft Plastic recycling bin at Penelope’s in Wicker Park.
Designed for Business Needs
Convenient Collection: Businesses receive a dedicated service receptacle for soft plastic recycling. Simply fill it with clean, dry soft plastics and WasteNot’s team takes it from there.
Accepted Materials Include: Grocery bags, bread bags, bubble wrap, produce bags, pallet wrap, plastic shipping envelopes, and all stretchy plastics..
Processing: Collected plastics are sorted, shredded, washed, and melted into pellets. These pellets are then sold to manufacturers to create durable new products, supporting a circular economy.
Flexible Options: WasteNot’s program works for businesses of all sizes from retail stores and restaurants to offices and venues. Unlike standard curbside recycling, this program specifically targets soft plastics, which are often overlooked.
Partnering with WasteNot to recycle soft plastics allows your business to:
Reduce landfill waste and environmental footprint
Improve your sustainability and ESG efforts
Prevent plastic pollution in oceans and waterways
Visit this page to learn how to implement a soft plastic recycling program that fits your business.