Comments on: Can you recycle shrink wrap?

By: Ralph

Ralph — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 21:39:37 +0000

This whole response smacks of someone who cruised the internet, but really doesn’t have a clue otherwise. Shrink wrap can be HDPE, LDPE, PP, co-polymers of multiple materials, PVC and may other special types of plastic.
On top of all these materials, there are additives in many shrink wraps that would further complicate re-use.

If one doesn’t know what the above acronyms mean, then you stand about a zero chance of sorting out the various types of shrink wrap into a clean enough stream for economical recycling.

I really would like to find a bona-fide success story that lasts beyond a pilot study AND be proven wrong….BUT “SHRINK WRAP CAN NOT BE ECONOMICALLY RECYCLED”

Next time the responder digs…he needs to dig deeper.

By: Stephen Miller Packaging Ltd.

Stephen Miller Packaging Ltd. — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 01:53:25 +0000

We’re a little behind the green revolution here in Ireland but for industrial applications the recycling of shrink wrap has been an industry standard for some years.

By: Diane Babcock

Diane Babcock — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 21:18:19 +0000

I just took the shrink wrap off our windows and was wondering if it was recyclable. I will have to check and see if our transfer stations accept it. Thanks for this information.

By: philip Franzoni

philip Franzoni — Fri, 28 May 2010 00:09:50 +0000

I am involved in shipping out about 12 tons of shrink wrap to be recycled every three or four weeks. My question to all is what are some of the things this plastic is being used for? I am very curious to fined out. Thanks in advance.

By: Pascal

Pascal — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 11:54:11 +0000

I work in a warehouse. We are always throwing away bundles of shrink wrap. I’d like to know how to be more proactive in recycling it.

By: Maggie

Maggie — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 01:24:31 +0000

I’m not sure about recycled shrink wrap. I received a couple of wedding presents that were wrapped in cheesecloth or tulle and tied with a ribbon so I could reuse the fabric later but that doesn’t provide the protection that shrink wrapping does. I think many of the programs that recycle shrink wrap make it into alternate products like plastic benches.

There are a few places around that make biodegradable and compostable shrink wraps. I’m not sure what they have available on a small scale and of course the big challenge is that the stuff won’t biodegrade if it ends up in a landfill where there is no air or weather. Here’s one place to consider – http://www.polypack.com/biopack.asp

Good luck!

By: Kelly Lenard

Kelly Lenard — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 13:52:14 +0000

I am a concierge at a corporate business in Chicago downtown. I am putting together 65 gift baskets that all need to be shrink wrapped. I want them to be as “green” as possible and therefore would like to either wrap them in recycled shrink wrap (if this exists or if there is an eco friendly version) or inform the recipients that they can recycle the wrap. Please let me know if anyone has some super fabulous ideas about wrapping my baskets!

Thanks!

By: Kim

Kim — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:32:37 +0000

I work in a warehouse. We are always throwing away bundles of shrink wrap. I’d like to know how to be more proactive in recycling it.

By: Jami Wells

Jami Wells — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 03:26:40 +0000

I just started an organic / green gift basket business featuring hand-made biscotti and was using cellophane bags and wrap, but now that I have found your site, I now know that shrinkwrap is recycleable, while cellophane is not. Not quite sure what I can substitute for the little cello bags, but the baskets will from now on, be wrapped using shrink wrap. Thanks for the info!!
Biscotti Heaven Gift Baskets and Tins

By: Say it Green!

Say it Green! — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 17:48:45 +0000

Thanks for posting this – I wasn’t sure about shrink wrap and this is super helpful! We are in Salt Lake City where they take plastics 1-7, and I didn’t know shrink wrap was actually a #4. I actually had been recycling it, then someone told me I couldn’t so I stopped. Apparently they were misinformed and I will be happy to re-instate shrink wrap recycling.

Hooray for less stuff in landfills!!

Andy