Using, Recycling, & Disposing Bags Responsibly

In today’s environmentally conscious world, it’s no surprise that despite our best efforts to reduce waste, disposable bags often find their way into our daily lives.

From produce bags and paper bags to gift bags and even pet waste bags, the categories of disposable bags are numerous. We use biodegradable and compostable options, but the reality is that even reusable bags will eventually wear out.

As of 2024, 11 states have enacted statewide bans on single-use plastic bags: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and most recently, Colorado and Rhode Island (which began on January 1, 2024). Over 500 municipalities across 28 states also have local regulations surrounding plastic bags. While standard plastic bags are usually excluded from mixed recyclables, some supermarkets and businesses have collections for single-use plastic. Unfortunately, the Film Drop-off Directory, which helped consumers locate recycling points, was shut down in 2025 due to financial issues. However, you can visit the NexTrex Directory to discover retail partners that accept plastic film for recycling into composite decking.

A significant legislative change occurred when California passed SB 54, the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act. This law mandates that bag manufacturers assume responsibility for packaging waste. California is set to implement new regulations under this act starting in 2025, potentially setting a precedent for similar laws in other states.

What are the best practices for responsibly disposing of various disposable bags in an environmentally friendly way? We consulted waste management experts to gather their insights.

Disposable Bags & Recycling

Many mixed recycling programs do not accept any type of plastic bag. Following this simple rule can make a big difference, yet “wishcycling”—the act of including bags in recycling bins in hopes they’ll get recycled—remains common.

Wishcycling can lead to costly complications at recycling centers. Plastic bags and other flexible plastics can entangle recycling machinery, disrupting the sorting process and requiring employees to halt operations for removal.

If you use a plastic bag to store recyclables, ensure you open it and place the contents into your recycling bin as loose items. You can then reuse the plastic bag or take it to a dedicated drop-off location that accepts bags for recycling. If all else fails, it’s best to dispose of it in the trash to prevent costly mishaps at recycling facilities. Discarded plastic bags not only mar our landscapes; they also pose a significant threat to wildlife and frequently end up polluting our waterways.

When recycling mixed materials, expect workers to remove any plastic bags and treat them as trash. “If recyclables are bagged in plastic, they’re typically pulled out on the sorting line,” explains Robert Pickens, treasurer of the Oklahoma Recycling Association and vice president of recycling at American Waste Control.

Janette Micelli from Waste Management asserts, “Bagged recyclables in plastic bags are deemed contamination and will be removed.”

Common Bag Recycling Requirements

While guidelines may differ by recycling service, certain rules about bag types are widely applicable. Always verify with your local recycling provider for specifics.

• Generally, most recycling programs do not accept any kind of bags. This includes reusable shopping bags, glossy gift bags, chip bags, as well as biodegradable and compostable bags. “If it’s described as a ‘plastic bag,’ don’t put it in your recycling cart,” advises Pickens.
• Simple brown or white paper bags might be acceptable. If the program accepts various paper types (magazines, newspapers, cereal boxes, etc.), it should also take paper bags. However, if they only process a specific type, like corrugated cardboard, then these won’t be accepted. It’s important to remove handles made from non-paper materials and to avoid including food-soiled paper in the recycling stream.
• Most biodegradable plastic bags are often unrecyclable and should be disposed of as trash, confirms Germain.
• Some retailers accept single-use plastic bags for recycling, so always check if your local supermarket participates in such programs.

Plastic-free shopping at Mangwon Market, Seoul. Photo: Jung Park/Greenpeace

Disposable Bags & Shopping

For small purchases, Pickens advises requesting “no bag” at checkout—a simple yet effective way to limit waste similar to opting out of receiving a plastic straw at restaurants.

When buying larger quantities, prioritize reusable totes over single-use bags. If possible, consider using cotton shopping bags and cloth produce bags. Keeping a “zero-waste bin” in your vehicle can help maintain your supply of reusable bags and containers. Remember to refill it after shopping to ensure you’re prepared for your next trip.

Some retailers are proactively eliminating single-use plastic bags, spurred by consumer demand. The organization Customers Who Care, for example, is urging Target to abandon their use of plastic bags.

Disposable Bags & Garbage

For general household waste that will go to landfills, regular non-biodegradable garbage bags are typically the best choice.

While biodegradable garbage bags may sound like an eco-friendly alternative, others caution against their use. These bags can sometimes break down before reaching properly licensed landfills, causing additional mess and complicating waste management.

Consider these eco-friendly waste disposal tips:

• Minimize bag use. Fill bags as full as possible, following the principles of reducing, reusing, and recycling.
• Opt for sturdy bags that won’t tear easily, as loose waste can contribute to environmental litter.
• Whenever possible, buy bags made from recycled materials.

If you’ve been buying biodegradable trash bags, keep these points in mind:

• Both biodegradable and regular garbage can be disposed of in either bag type without significant breakdown in a landfill.
• If the premise is landfill disposal, the choice of bag is inconsequential, as the contents will remain stable over time, regardless of what they’re contained in.
• Pickens points out that even biodegradable bags may not degrade as expected in landfill conditions, often resulting in loose garbage anyway.

Compostable & Biodegradable Bags

Although standard disposable bags contribute to plastic pollution, biodegradable options are not universally better for the planet. Recent research raises questions about the environmental advantages of biodegradable bags.

A significant study published in Environmental Science & Technology noted that biodegradable bags left in natural conditions for three years remained largely intact, with fully compostable bags only degrading in marine environments within three months.

It’s widely held that biodegradable bags are not a safe alternative when littered or escaping into the environment. “Many biodegradable bags require specific conditions, like industrial composting, for effective breakdown,” emphasizes Ivy Schlegel, a research specialist at Greenpeace.

Popular biodegradable bags for pet waste may not be as eco-friendly as they seem, especially if disposed of in normal trash. Moreover, certain biodegradable bags can disintegrate prematurely, leaving unpleasant messes.

Additional points regarding biodegradable and compostable bags include:

• Some biodegradable bags may deteriorate if not stored correctly, such as left in a heated car, rendering them unusable.
• Consult with your local composting facility before disposing of bags containing pet waste, as many are not equipped to handle this type of refuse.
• For composting programs, confirm with officials if they accept compostable bags, as not all facilities have the means to process them. Only BPI-certified compostable bags should be disposed of in compostable collections where accepted, as the terms ‘biodegradable’ and ‘compostable’ are not interchangeable.

Although it is challenging to avoid using disposable bags altogether, you can make a significant impact by utilizing reusable bags whenever possible, responsibly recycling or disposing of disposable bags, or skipping the bag entirely when unnecessary.

Editor’s Note: This article was first published on October 21, 2019, and was last updated in September 2025.