Plastic Bag Take Back Program

What is the Plastic Bag Take-Back Program?

The Plastic Bag Take-Back Program is a return-to-retailer program aimed at reducing the amount of plastic shopping bags ending up in landfill. York Region's objective is to raise awareness on the options available to residents with regards to plastic bags. The Region, first and foremost, encourages residents to reduce their overall generation of plastic bag waste by using reusable bags when shopping.

If plastic bags are used they can be taken back to participating local retailers where they will be collected and sent off for recycling. Many of these retailers also provide reusable bags and totes for purchase.

York Region encourages more retailers to show their support for the environment by taking responsiblity for the waste they generate by participating in the Take-Back program. The retailers that take part in the program are setting an example of how industry can show responsibility and help to reduce waste going to landfill.

How do I Recycle my Plastic Bags?

It's easy! Just turn your plastic shopping bags inside out, stuff them into one bag, and drop them off at a Take-Back receptacle found at a participating store near you.

Why Recycle My Plastic Bags?

Plastic bags are made from petroleum or natural gas, a non-renewable resource. In a landfill, plastic bags do not readily break down. They can take 400-1000 years to disappear. This is why it is so important to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastic bags. Recycled plastic bags can become new bags, plastic lumber, patio furniture, park benches, and so on. York Region's Plastic Bag Take-Back Program will divert waste from going to landfill and contribute towards the Region's goal of 65% waste diversion rate by 2010.

Plastic bags are also a source of litter as empty bags are often seen gathering along fences, caught in tree branches or drifting in the nearby stream. Not only are they unsightly but they are harming our environment if they are not properly recycled.

Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

Reduce
Using less plastic is the most effective way to conserve resources and landfill space. Tips on how to reduce plastic bags include:

Use reusable bags when shopping. Reusable bags and bins can be purchased at selected retail stores.
Use other options provided by retailers, such as cardboard boxes, bins, heavier reusable bags.
Reuse your own plastic bags; just carry a few in your pocket or purse.
Don't take a bag when offered unless you need it.
Make sure that each bag holds at least 8 items.
Don't double bag.
Don't bag large items.

The best solution is to keep your reusable bags readily available. Keep some in your purse, home, car or office so they are always available when you need them.

Reuse
It doesn't have to be a cloth bag to be used more than once. Plastic bags can be reused many times, so keep your bags handy wherever you go so that when you make a purchase, you can reuse a bag, instead of getting a new one. In York Region you can also reuse plastic bags as your Green Bin liner.

Recycle

Take advantage of York Region's Plastic Bag Take-Back program and bring your plastic bags to participating retailers to be recycled. Plastic bags can be recycled into new bags, plastic lumber products, waste and recycling containers, decking, patio furniture, picnic tables, park benches and so on. Before recycling your plastic bags, remember to make sure that your bags are clean and empty. The program is for plastic shopping bags only. This does not include other plastic film/bags such as milk bags, plastic wrap, sandwich bags, produce bags, etc.