Easttown Township residents have shown strong participation in the township’s plastic film recycling program, which began in spring 2021. According to township officials, community response has been high, but issues with food-contaminated items being placed in recycling bins have required volunteers to sort out unsuitable materials.
Plastic film that can be recycled through the program includes items such as dry cleaner bags, Ziploc or fold-over plastic food bags, overwraps from water bottles and paper towels, bread and bagel bags, produce bags, bubble wrap, plastic mailing envelopes, ice bags, cereal bag liners, wood pellet bags, salt bags, and any plastic labeled #2 or #4 polyethylene films. Items not accepted include chip bags, candy wrappers, mesh produce bags, plastic gloves, six-pack rings, pre-washed salad bags, linen or bedding packaging, frozen food plastic bags, paper mailing envelopes or pet food bags.
The township advises residents that recyclable plastic film should stretch when pulled. If it tears like paper or is crinkly and shiny rather than flexible and smooth, it cannot be recycled through this program.
To ensure effective recycling practices for this type of material—since it is hand sorted by volunteers at the township building and library—the plastic must be clean and dry. The company that processes the recycled material will not accept dirty plastics; therefore any items contaminated with food or liquid are removed by volunteers before being sent off for recycling.
Township volunteers also weigh and photograph each batch of collected plastic film so Easttown Township receives credit for the total amount sent to the recycler. Since September 2022 alone—the date when weighing began—over 3,300 pounds of plastic film have been diverted from landfills. For every 500 pounds collected and properly processed through this initiative another bench is earned for Easttown’s parks; three benches have already been acquired as a result of local efforts.
After sorting and documentation are complete the recycled material is transported by volunteers to Wegmans where it is picked up by a processing company. The recycled plastics are then turned into products such as outdoor furniture, stairways, deck materials and privacy screens.
Before the launch of this program all similar types of plastics had to be discarded as trash because they were not accepted by regular township waste haulers. Now residents can reduce landfill contributions by following guidelines provided by Easttown Township for proper disposal of recyclable films.
“Every time we reach 500 lbs., we earn another bench for Easttown’s parks. We have earned three benches thanks to Easttown residents’ commitment to the environment through this program.”
Small actions like proper sorting help contribute to larger environmental benefits according to township officials.
