The Woodlands Township Encourages Residents to Recycle More at the Store

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- The Woodlands Township reminds residents that plastic bags and film are not accepted in the curbside recycling program. Bags and other plastic films can be recycled in special bins located near the entrance of local grocery stores.

To increase awareness of plastic film recycling at local grocery stores, the Township Environmental Services Department is hosting Recycle More at the Store outreach days in July at local Kroger and H-E-B store locations. Residents are invited to learn more about which films can be recycled at grocery stores and receive a set of reusable produce bags while supplies last.

The average American household uses approximately 1,500 plastic shopping bags per year, yet less than one percent is recycled at grocery stores. Although plastic film cannot be recycled in curbside carts, it is a highly valuable material that is remanufactured into products such as composite lumber, containers, pallets and new ?lm.

Residents are encouraged to recycle all clean, dry and stretchy plastic film such as produce bags, bread bags, case wrap, plastic shipping envelopes, dry cleaning bags and bubble wrap at local grocery and department stores. Not all plastic films can be recycled at these locations. If the plastic film makes a crunch sound when squeezed, it cannot be recycled. Also, please avoid dog food bags, frozen food bags, snack and chip bags, salad bags and compostable bags, as they contain material that cannot be recycled through this program.

The Woodlands Township earned the prestigious Outstanding Public Education and Outreach Award by Keep Texas Beautiful in 2021 for the Recycle Right Cart Tag program. Help keep The Woodlands recycling program strong by continuing to Recycle Right and seek new opportunities to recycle in The Woodlands. For information about recycling, please contact the Township Environmental Services Department at enviro@thewoodlandstownshiptx.gov or call 281-210-3800.