Mecklenburg County Now Accepting Plastic Bags and Wraps at Full-Service and Staffed Recycling Centers

A blue bin next to a sign that says plastic bags here

That mountain of plastic bags you’ve been hoarding in your garage is about to find a new home. Mecklenburg County Solid Waste is now accepting plastic bags and wraps as part of its enhanced recycling program.

Residents can drop off plastic bags and wraps at County full-service recycling facilities or the staffed drop-off center at William R. Davie Park. Plastic bags should never be recycled curbside.  

If the package stretches when pulled, it is acceptable. This includes plastics with a 2 or 4 recycling code. All items must be clean and dry.  

Accepted items include:  

  • Grocery/store bags
  • Bread and produce bags
  • Ice bags
  • Resealable bags
  • Dry cleaning bags  
  • Bubble wrap and air pillows
  • Plastic shipping envelopes  
  • Plastic product wrap (ex: plastic wrap around a case of water)  

Items that are shiny, make a crinkly or crunchy sound, or tear like paper cannot be included.

Items that are NOT accepted include:  

  • Frozen food bags
  • Candy wrappers
  • Chip bags
  • Net or mesh produce bags
  • Pet food bags  
  • Hot dog or meat wrap packaging
  • Six-pack rings  
  • Pool covers
  • Vinyl shower curtains or tablecloths
  • Bedding packaging
  • Shiny, crinkly films such as floral wraps

“Many residents have voiced their desire to recycle plastic bags and wraps at our facilities, including during a social media campaign earlier this year. They’ve asked, and we’ve delivered,” said Solid Waste Director Jeff Smithberger. “We’re excited to expand our collection abilities to accept these items at our full-service and staffed center, so they are kept out of landfills and reused in a meaningful way.”

Plastic bags and wraps are just the latest addition to the list of items accepted by Mecklenburg County Solid Waste. This year, the program also announced it was accepting solar panels as well as food scraps to be composted. The program also accepts white rigid foam, books, shredded paper, textiles, clean wood and furniture, and lithium-ion batteries.

The Solid Waste Recycling Program processes over 100,000 tons of materials each year. That includes items collected curbside by local municipalities as well as items dropped off at full-service or staffed recycling centers.