Feeling overwhelmed by all the different packaging materials that arrive with your deliveries? You’re not alone. Navigating what can and can’t be recycled can be confusing. Here’s a helpful list of common packaging items that definitely do not belong in your recycling bin:
Plastic Mailers: These may be a thinner all-plastic mailer bag or a thicker all-plastic mailer bag containing a layer of bubble wrap. Instead of tossing them in your recycling bin, take them to specific drop-off locations that accept plastic bags and film plastic.
Foam Packaging: Many types of foam containers and packaging are banned in New York state, a win for the environment. However, there are still some types of foam packaging that are not part of New York’s foam ban. These lightweight materials are not accepted in most curbside recycling programs. Contact your local recycling coordinator to ask if there are special recycling programs with separate drop-off locations for recycling some types of expanded polystyrene foam.
Plastic Air Pillows and Bubble Wrap: While convenient for protecting your items during travel, these also need to be taken to separate drop-off locations that accept plastic bags and film plastic for recycling. Considered a “tangler”, these items can cause mechanical issues in recycling facilities where regular household recyclables go.
