2021 has brought rise in plastic bag recycling contamination in Porter County.
Plastic bags shouldn’t be placed in curbside recycling as they can jam or damage the machines at local sorting facilities.
The Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County aims to educate and help residents connect the dots when it comes to plastic bag recycling.
“Not all plastic bags are created equal. Clean and dry grocery bags, newspaper bags and even sandwich bags are all good examples of bags that can be recycled at of our plastic bag drop off recycling location in Valparaiso,” said Keri Marrs Barron, Executive Director of Recycling & Waste Reduction District of Porter County.
Water softener bags, laundry detergent bags, mulch bags, and flower wrapping bags are not accepted for recycling at the plastic bag recycling drop off site in Valparaiso and should not be placed in curbside recycling.
“There are many misconceptions in today’s world on what can and cannot be recycled. National standards are continuously changing. So too are local standards. Locally we look to spotlight what can be recycled versus thrown away in trash. We want to help eliminate confusion amongst residents,” said Keri Marrs Barron, Executive Director of Recycling & Waste Reduction District of Porter County.
Plastic bags can be recycled at the Valparaiso Compost Site located at 2150 W. Lincolnway 1 mile west of intersection with Joliet Road. For complete list of plastic bag recycling locations throughout Porter County visit https://portercountyrecycling.org/recycling
For more information on acceptable recycling items contact the Recycling & Waste Reduction District of Porter County at (219) 510-1124 or visit www.PorterCountyRecycling.org.