One of the most common issues with curbside recycling is the inclusion of plastic film materials such as shopping bags, bubble mailers, and shrink wrap. These plastic film materials are NOT recyclable curbside because they get tangled up in the equipment in recycling sorting facilities and cause the machinery to jam.  Once removed from the equipment, the plastic film will get discarded as trash.

Although plastic film is not recyclable curbside, it is still recyclable, but needs to be deposited at one of the specific plastic film recycling drop-off locations listed below, which are located at many grocery stores in and around Arlington.

The following are examples of items that are accepted at these drop boxes:

• Retail, carryout, produce, newspaper, bread, and dry cleaning bags (clean, dry and free of receipts and clothes hangers)

• Zip-top food storage bags (clean and dry)

• Plastic shipping envelopes (remove labels), bubble wrap and air pillows (deflate)

• Product wrap on cases of water/soda bottles, paper towels, napkins, disposable cups, bathroom tissue, diapers, and female sanitary products

• Furniture and electronic wrap

• Plastic cereal box liners (but if it tears like paper, do not include)

• Any film packaging or bag that has the How2Recycle Label shown at right

The following items should not be included:

• Degradable/compostable bags or film packaging

• Pre-washed salad mix bags

• Frozen food bags

• Candy bar wrappers

• Chip bags

• Six-pack rings

And remember- when in doubt, throw it out. If you cannot bring your film waste to one of the specific drop-off sites, please just throw it in the trash.  Placing it in the curbside bin will cause problems at the recycling facility and the end result will be the same- the plastic film will end up in the trash,

For more specifics about what kinds of film can be included, see It's A Wrap by the American Chemistry Council

Drop-Off Locations (Please note that there is a limit of 1 garbage bag per a site with the exception of the Burlington Market Basket.)

ARLINGTON
Whole Foods, 808 Mass Ave, 781-777-7200

BELMONT
Star Market, 535 Trapelo Rd, 617-489-6540

BURLINGTON
Market Basket, 43 Middlesex Turnpike, 781-273-3673
Wegmans, 53 Third Ave, 781-418-0700

CAMBRIDGE
Star Market, Porter Square, 49 White St, 617-492-5566
Star Market, Mt Auburn, 699 Mt Auburn Street, 617-876-1450

LEXINGTON
Stop & Shop, 36 Bedford St, 781-861-0457

WALTHAM
Star Market, 1070 Lexington St, 781-891-0615

WINCHESTER
Stop & Shop, 695 Main St, 781-721-1028