Plastic Shopping Bags
Reduction Tips
- Only take a bag if you need it. If you have one or two small items, consider carrying them out instead.
- Bring a cloth bag with you to the store. Ask the cashier if they offer a discount if you bring your own bag. Many stores do.
Reuse Tips
- Reuse plastic bags. Wash them if necessary.
- Some thrift stores will accept plastic and paper bags to use for their customers. Please check with the store prior to donating your bags.
Recycling & Disposal Information
DO NOT include plastic bags with your curbside recycling. Many grocery stores and co-ops participate in the It's in the Bag program. Consumers may deposit clean, dry plastic bags in specially designed collection bins found at participating retail locations. Visit www.itsinthebagmn.org for a complete list of drop-off locations.
Several retailers not part of It's in the Bag also have customer drop off areas for plastic bags, including Cub Foods, Lund's/Byerly's and Target.
Do Recycle
Note: All material must be clean and dry- Plastic grocery bags
- Plastic retail bags (remove string ties and rigid plastic handles)
- Plastic dry-cleaning bags
- Plastic cereal bags (must be dry with ALL food residue removed)
- Plastic bread bags (must be dry with ALL rood residue removed)
- Plastic produce bags (must be dry with ALL food residue removed)
- Plastic frozen food bags (must be dry with ALL food residue removed)
- Plastic wrap from paper products (paper towels, etc.)
- Plastic salt bags (remove rigid plastic handles)
- Plastic zipper bags (remove top closing mechanism)
- Plastic stretch/shrink wrap
- 6-pack holder rings
Don't Recycle
- Plastic bags with food residue
- Plastic bags with strings
- Plastic soil or mulch bags
- Plastic zipper bags with rigid plastic closing mechanism
- Plastic bubble wrap
- Plastic food containers
- Plastic bottles (See our Cans & Bottles page for information on recycling plastic bottles and jugs.)
