I try to reuse and recycle as much as I can. The cardboard in my husband’s cleaned shirts frequently go to my daughter for her students’ art projects, and I use some of them for signs – such as the “30 sec.” and “stop” signs we use for candidate forums. I reuse the cartons the shirts are returned to us in by doubling them and using them for donatables, and I return the hangers to the cleaners or give them to my daughter – again for art projects.
For years, I was bringing the plastic bags I could not use to King Kullen, where there was a big container into which they could be placed, and hopefully, safely recycled. Then came the Covid lockdown, and the big container disappeared. It troubles me to just throw them into the garbage, so I use them as much as possible (they are great for shoes taken on a trip or bagged for donations) and have saved many while seeking a solution. Now, I have found one, and it is not only for bags, but for other plastic film – like the stuff surrounding so many products and the plastic envelopes that some magazines and booklets come in. If you go to this website: www.plasticfilmrecycling.org you can find local places to bring these plastics.
Here is some information from the site, as well as a few of the locations within our area. There are more listed on the site. Be sure to call first to make sure they still accept the plastics.
Recycle only clean, dry plastic bags and film. Remove receipts or any other items from bags. *Not all items are accepted at all drop-off locations. Check with your local drop-off to see what is accepted.
Include:
- Retail, carryout, produce, newspaper, bread, and dry cleaning bags (clean, dry and free of receipts and clothes hangers)
- Zip-top food storage bags (clean and dry)
- Plastic shipping envelopes (remove labels), bubble wrap and air pillows (deflate)
- Product wrap on cases of water/soda bottles, paper towels, napkins, disposable cups, bathroom tissue, diapers, and female sanitary products
- Furniture and electronic wrap
- Plastic cereal box liners (but if it tears like paper, do not include)
ShopRite, Kohl’s Target and Wal-Mart stores in Hicksville, Farmingdale, Westbury, Copiague and Jericho are on the list, in addition to those indicated below.
- Do not include:Any film packaging or bag that has the How2Recycle Label
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- Degradable/compostable bags or film packaging
- Pre-washed salad mix bags
- Frozen food bags
- Candy bar wrappers
- Chip bags
- Six-pack rings
Locations
- Stop & Shop, 2450 Jerusalem Avenue North Bellmore, NY 11710 (516) 826-0880
- Target, 3850 Hempstead Tpke., Levittown, NY 11756 (516) 731-9392
- ShopRite, 3901 Hempstead Turnpike, Bethpage, NY 11714 (516) 731-0130
- Kohl’s, 3601 Hempstead Turnpike Levittown, NY 11756 (516) 520-4488
- Wal-Mart, 1123 Jerusalem Ave Uniondale, NY 11553 (516) 505-1508
- Target, 2003 Broadway Mall Hicksville, NY 11801 (516) 806-2096
- Lowe’s, 90 Price Pkwy Farmingdale, NY 11735 (631) 927-3470
- Wal-Mart, 2465 Hempstead Tpke. East Meadow, NY 11554 (516) 579-3307
- ShopRite, 5508 Sunrise Highway Massapequa, NY 11758 (516) 799-5651
