The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has launched a new plastic film recycling program at the Shady Grove Transfer Station and Recycling Center. This initiative lets residents and businesses recycle flexible plastic bags and wraps. These materials require different processing than bottles and containers.
DEP encourages residents to not place plastic films, such as grocery bags and bread bags, in curbside recycling bins. Instead, they should bring them to the Shady Grove Transfer Station and Recycling Center in Derwood or other designated plastic film drop-off locations. Drop off uncontaminated plastic film in the upper lot of the facility at 16101 Frederick Rd. in Derwood.
Plastic film must be clean, dry, and free from contaminants. Items like biodegradable or compostable bags, pre-washed salad mix bags, and resealable food storage bags are not accepted.
“The plastic film recycling program is yet another county resource to help residents recycle more and aim for zero waste,” said DEP Director Jon Monger. “Along with plastic film, we have added durable medical equipment, mattresses, bicycles, and building materials to our growing list of items accepted for recycling or reuse. We have also increased our recycling for electronics and textiles. These efforts are working. From 2018 to 2022, the amount of waste disposed of per person decreased by 11 percent, even as the county’s population continued to grow. This is no small feat—and a credit to so many residents and partners across the county working to reduce waste, reuse materials, and recycle more.”
Plastic Film Items to Recycle
Acceptable plastic film items include:
- Plastic films labeled with #2 or #4 recycling symbols (polyethylene films)
- Clean and dry plastic grocery bags
- Bread bags
- Dry cleaning bags
- Newspaper sleeves
- Produce bags
- Ice bags (must be dry)
- Wood pellet bags
- Salt bags
- Cereal box liners
- Retail shopping bags
- Pallet wrap
- Stretch film
- Case overwrap (e.g., water bottle and drink cases)
- Shrink-wrap
- Mattress bags
- Furniture wrap
- Air pillow packaging material
- Plastic shipping envelopes
- Film bubble wrap
Recycled plastic bags and films are used to make products like decking, outdoor furniture, playgrounds, landscaping blocks and borders, and corrugated pipe.
For more information on the plastic film recycling program and a complete list of accepted items, visit the DEP Plastic Film Recycling webpage or call 311.
