Plastic shopping bags recycling

What are plastic carrier shopping bags made from?

While plastic carrier bags use 70% less plastic than they did 20 years ago, they are still made from polyethylene (PE) which is derived from non-renewable oil and requires energy to manufacture.

Plastic bags are recyclable and are increasingly being recycled, but the majority still end up in landfill where they may take hundreds of years to break down.

Many larger supermarkets accept your carrier bags as well as other plastic films. Collection points for used carrier bags are normally found near the main entrance. 

Where can I recycle plastic bags?

We can all make positive choices to help the environment in the way that we shop. Everyone who cuts back on the number of bags they use makes a contribution to saving resources and reducing waste.

The majority of larger UK supermarkets now offer recycling facilities for carrier bags and some other plastic films that contain the label with the message ‘recycle with carrier bags at larger stores – not at kerbside’.

The following supermarkets offer collection points at larger stores:
Asda
Morrisons
Sainsbury’s
Tesco
The Co-operative
Waitrose

Why not check out your local supermarket the next time you visit? The collection points are normally located by the main entrance doors.

Think plastic bag!

Look for suitable re-usable bags and make sure that they are ‘fit for purpose’ – strong, durable and ideally made from recycled material

Keep a small foldaway bag with you for those unexpected or impulse purchases

Reduce the amount of carrier bags you use by re-using them as many times as possible

Re-use bags and place the worn-out plastic bags in supermarket recycling points, as they are collected specifically for specialist plastic film recycling away from other waste streams

If you shop online and receive a supermarket delivery, give the bags back to the driver afterwards or when you make your next online purchase

Some councils are beginning to collect carrier bags as part of household recycling schemes; however this is not wide-spread service at the moment. Before putting them in your recycling bin, ask your local council if they are accepted in your area.

If you are looking for environmental alternatives to plastic shopping bags you have come to the right place!

Burgass Bags here in the UK make twisted handled paper bags; and flat tape handle paper bags  and grab paper bags . So not only will you be ordering great value, local paper bags you will also be helping the environment.

Reliable, competitive and flexible! For your high quality print on your custom paper bag design and manufacture here in the UK please either ring us on 0115 943 1775 or email us at: Burgass Carrier Bags NOW!

This post was written by UK Carrier Paper Bag Maker

Categorised in: Bag Processes, Carrier Bags, News, Paper Bags UK Maker, Plastic Bags UK Maker, Polythene Bag Template, Polythene Bags, UK Made Plastic Bags