Charlotte Mecklenburg NC plastic bag and wrap recycling campaign, Keep out of landfill, Recycle at local stores, Raise public awareness
From CharMeck.org.
“New Recycling Campaign Aims for Increase in Plastic Bags and Wraps”
“County and City officials recently kicked off a new campaign to increase recycling of plastic bags and wraps, noting that a survey finds most people in Mecklenburg County are not yet aware of where and what to recycle. Mecklenburg County Chairman Trevor M. Fuller joined other local officials to announce the campaign at a local Harris Teeter grocery store, one of the many retail stores that accept plastic bags and wraps for recycling in storefront bins.
A recent survey of Mecklenburg County residents found that only half are aware that certain plastic items should be brought to grocery or retail stores to ensure proper recycling and should not be placed in curbside recycling bins. Plus, few residents are aware of the various types of plastic bags and wraps that can be recycled. Residents can learn where and what to recycle at RecycleTheWrap.com.
“When plastic bags or wraps are put in curbside bins, it makes recycling more difficult, time consuming, and expensive, which winds up costing all of us more money,” said Chairman Fuller. “Recycling plastic bags and wraps at participating retailers diverts materials from the landfill and creates useful new products so we are asking all of Mecklenburg County to spread the message, pitch in, and recycle plastic bags and wraps by taking them back to participating retail stores.”
Retailers will accept plastic bags such grocery bags, newspaper bags, produce bags, bread bags, dry cleaning bags, and even zipper bags for recycling. They also accept plastic wraps from water bottle cases, diapers, bathroom tissue, and paper towels, as well as bubble wrap and shipping pillows. The plastic bags and wraps must be clean and dry and placed in storefront recycling bins. Plastic bags and wraps get recycled into products such as new grocery bags, benches, and decking. This supports the City’s Environmental Focus Area goals of becoming a national leader in environmental sustainability, preserving our natural resources while balancing growth with sound fiscal policy.
The campaign is part of Mecklenburg County’s WRAP (Wrap Recycling Action Project), an innovative public/private partnership that promotes recycling of plastic film beyond bags. The partnership is comprised of the American Chemistry Council’s Flexible Film Recycling Group, and GreenBlue/the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, among others.
The campaign includes advertising on billboards, buses, newspapers, radio, and social media. The goals are to increase the amount of plastic bags and wraps being returned to retailers for recycling, reduce unwanted bags and wraps in curbside bins, and help reduce litter.”
The Greensboro, NC website explains why they cannot accept plastic bags.
“Please, no plastic bags. Plastic bags can get caught in our recycling machinery and cause damage. Plastic bags should be recycled at local grocery stores.”
http://www.greensboro-nc.gov/index.aspx?page=482
