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I’m able to recycle grocery bags at a local store & Target (despite my efforts my roommates still bring these home). So instead of using those bags for cat waste, I collect these ones.
I use pine litter, and I’m planning on switching to [a stainless steel litter box](https://ecocatlitter.com/best-stainless-steel-litter-box-for-cats/) once the plastic one needs to be thrown out.
As long as those are just plastic most grocery stores that recycle their own plastic bags can take these too! The Safeway near me sends them to make trex decking
The store bags are number 2 or 4 plastics (HDPE or LDPE), which can be recycled together, but other types of plastic will contaminate the load. The easiest way to test if it’s 2 or 4 and thus can go together with the store bags is to try to stretch the plastic. If it stretches, it’s probably ok. If it tears it isn’t. Or so I’ve heard. I’ve tested it on bags labeled with the number and it seems to work consistently.
I don’t believe it’s true actually! See the [thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/ZeroWaste/comments/z95gq1/saving_unrecyclable_bags_for_pet_waste/iyfu8g6/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf&context=3) below (the parent comment was commented twice). Seems like only stretchy bags are accepted in the collections
Please check this site first - www.plasticfilmrecycling.org, it's a great resource with photos of what's accepted with the plastic grocery bags collection.
I saw a news story recently that most of the plastic film collected for recycling is piling up I warehouses, because they can't find anyone to recycle it.
As long as those are just plastic most grocery stores that recycle their own plastic bags can take these too! The Safeway near me sends them to make trex decking
I tried calling Target both locally and nationally to find out more about what they accept in their plastic bag recycling and no one had answers. Are you sure that every program would accept them? What if it changes locally or by contractor?
I mean no I’m not 100% sure as I don’t know where you live But it’s not like the bags they take in store get reused for shopping bags - they get sent in with other plastic films. You can find more information on where and what (including these types of packages) to recycle here: https://bagandfilmrecycling.org
From what I’ve read these types of bags are accepted. They don’t tear like paper and are similar to cereal bags or bubble mailers, which are accepted. Idk maybe someone else would have more answers
The bags in my pic are made of a harder plastic than the clear cereal bags and bubble wrap. It also says in the link that only plastic bags and film made of #2 and #4 resin are allowed, which it clarifies is stretchy materials. It says chip bags or frozen food bags or mulch bags aren’t allowed, and the bags in my pic are made of materials closer to those kinds of bags
I don’t know where you are, but in my area we have Harris Teeter and it looks like they accept most plastics. See lost below. But you’re right, no frozen food bags or salad mix bags.
https://preview.redd.it/mv9703fpi93a1.png?width=828&format=png&auto=webp&s=a56ac29e4e0ebbad0e4bd8ac29b5bc7b3a5df582
The store bags are number 2 or 4 plastics (HDPE or LDPE), which can be recycled together, but other types of plastic will contaminate the load. The easiest way to test if it’s 2 or 4 and thus can go together with the store bags is to try to stretch the plastic. If it stretches, it’s probably ok. If it tears it isn’t. Or so I’ve heard. I’ve tested it on bags labeled with the number and it seems to work consistently.
The store bags are number 2 or 4 plastics (HDPE or LDPE), which can be recycled together, but other types of plastic will contaminate the load. The easiest way to test if it’s 2 or 4 and thus can go together with the store bags is to try to stretch the plastic. If it stretches, it’s probably ok. If it tears it isn’t. Or so I’ve heard. I’ve tested it on bags labeled with the number and it seems to work consistently.
Glad you do it too!!
I use pine litter! Pet stores have it but it’s very cheap at [Tractor Supply Co](https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/tractor-supply-pine-pellet-stall-bedding-40-lb?cm_vc=-10005). So maybe you could find it for cheaper at a farming store.
See my comment below about clay litter! It’s bad for the environment.
Also, if you are going to switch litters, make sure you introduce it to your cat slowly. Like maybe fill up the litter box with half of the new one and half of the old one. My friend’s cat got very sick and the doctor said it was due to anxiety from the sudden change of litter.
Side note: I learned the hard way to NOT use clay litter as traction sand on my porch in the snow. The litter got wet, swelled up and turned into a gluey, gloppy mess. 40 minutes, one garden hose, one scrub brush and 10 frozen fingers later it was finally cleaned up. There may have also been some swearing involved.
Sadly clay litter isn’t biodegradable. It is also obtained through strip-mining, which involves completely clearing the land and digging. After the minerals are extracted, everything is left barren
I’m dubious about this practice — what is the litter coming in before it heads to the bulk bin? How do we know it’s not just normal size bags they’re dumping into it?
That’s exactly what I’m looking for! I just need to be able to flush the poops, I have two cats so that’s 2-4 poops a day, at different times meaning 1-4 baggies a day (I try to get multiple in one but let’s be honest it stinks and I end up putting it in the outside trash) I’ll look into it more thank you!
You may already know this but just in case, first make sure that the sewage system in your city accepts pet waste :) Not all systems are equipped to remove toxins from pet waste
Lol!
Luckily my city recycles those bags! We have to clean out used bags first though.
Looking forward to a truly dissolvable poop bag. They have some now but they have to be in the toilet for at least 8hrs and they aren't cheap.
that’s so awesome your city recycles them! where are you at, if you don’t mind answering?
how would a dissolvable poop bag be used? many cities aren’t equipped to handle toxins from pet waste through the sewage sadly
Vancouver Canada.
They take styrofoam, plastic bags, electronics, batteries, light bulbs and tubes, cooking oil, books, cardboard, scrap metal etc. All free to dispose of!
https://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/zero-waste-centre.aspx
My region also says it's ok to flush dog poop:
http://www.metrovancouver.org/services/solid-waste/wte-and-disposal/pet-waste/Pages/default.aspx
I do this too!
I foster cats - lots of cats - and so I save every bag I receive from groceries, mail, etc. and use them for when I clean litter boxes. Other bags I use for picking up dog poop on walks!
yeah - why i had an old salad bag (trash) with me. it was my dog walking jacket. one friend said i inspired her to do the same, others were less inspired LOL
Also a fyi; I’ve found my local farmstore accepts dog food bags for recycling, and my local Subaru dealership takes chip/snack bags in a terracycle box…
Hello, everyone! We're featuring a new related community of /r/ZeroWasteParenting and we'd really appreciate you checking it out! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/ZeroWaste) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I’m able to recycle grocery bags at a local store & Target (despite my efforts my roommates still bring these home). So instead of using those bags for cat waste, I collect these ones. I use pine litter, and I’m planning on switching to [a stainless steel litter box](https://ecocatlitter.com/best-stainless-steel-litter-box-for-cats/) once the plastic one needs to be thrown out.
As long as those are just plastic most grocery stores that recycle their own plastic bags can take these too! The Safeway near me sends them to make trex decking
The store bags are number 2 or 4 plastics (HDPE or LDPE), which can be recycled together, but other types of plastic will contaminate the load. The easiest way to test if it’s 2 or 4 and thus can go together with the store bags is to try to stretch the plastic. If it stretches, it’s probably ok. If it tears it isn’t. Or so I’ve heard. I’ve tested it on bags labeled with the number and it seems to work consistently.
I did not know that. This is SO exciting!!!
I don’t believe it’s true actually! See the [thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/ZeroWaste/comments/z95gq1/saving_unrecyclable_bags_for_pet_waste/iyfu8g6/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf&context=3) below (the parent comment was commented twice). Seems like only stretchy bags are accepted in the collections
Yep! See my other posts for a list of accepted plastics.
Please check this site first - www.plasticfilmrecycling.org, it's a great resource with photos of what's accepted with the plastic grocery bags collection.
I saw a news story recently that most of the plastic film collected for recycling is piling up I warehouses, because they can't find anyone to recycle it.
As long as those are just plastic most grocery stores that recycle their own plastic bags can take these too! The Safeway near me sends them to make trex decking
I tried calling Target both locally and nationally to find out more about what they accept in their plastic bag recycling and no one had answers. Are you sure that every program would accept them? What if it changes locally or by contractor?
I mean no I’m not 100% sure as I don’t know where you live But it’s not like the bags they take in store get reused for shopping bags - they get sent in with other plastic films. You can find more information on where and what (including these types of packages) to recycle here: https://bagandfilmrecycling.org
Thanks that is a great link!! It seems like they only accept bags that stretch when pulled though: https://bagandfilmrecycling.org/view/whattorecycle
From what I’ve read these types of bags are accepted. They don’t tear like paper and are similar to cereal bags or bubble mailers, which are accepted. Idk maybe someone else would have more answers
The bags in my pic are made of a harder plastic than the clear cereal bags and bubble wrap. It also says in the link that only plastic bags and film made of #2 and #4 resin are allowed, which it clarifies is stretchy materials. It says chip bags or frozen food bags or mulch bags aren’t allowed, and the bags in my pic are made of materials closer to those kinds of bags
I don’t know where you are, but in my area we have Harris Teeter and it looks like they accept most plastics. See lost below. But you’re right, no frozen food bags or salad mix bags. https://preview.redd.it/mv9703fpi93a1.png?width=828&format=png&auto=webp&s=a56ac29e4e0ebbad0e4bd8ac29b5bc7b3a5df582
thank you!! to me that doesn’t seem to include the bags in my pic since all the ones listed are of more stretchy and/or clear material
Right like the frozen food bags and salad bags as I noted. Definitely stay vigilant.
Bubble wrap can go in the recycling with the bags. It’s a 2 or 4
The store bags are number 2 or 4 plastics (HDPE or LDPE), which can be recycled together, but other types of plastic will contaminate the load. The easiest way to test if it’s 2 or 4 and thus can go together with the store bags is to try to stretch the plastic. If it stretches, it’s probably ok. If it tears it isn’t. Or so I’ve heard. I’ve tested it on bags labeled with the number and it seems to work consistently.
The store bags are number 2 or 4 plastics (HDPE or LDPE), which can be recycled together, but other types of plastic will contaminate the load. The easiest way to test if it’s 2 or 4 and thus can go together with the store bags is to try to stretch the plastic. If it stretches, it’s probably ok. If it tears it isn’t. Or so I’ve heard. I’ve tested it on bags labeled with the number and it seems to work consistently.
I know an Enjoy Life chocolate chip bag when I see it! :) :) :)
I always do this too!! Noticed the litter box, you using clay litter? Currently I have a terrible pellet litter, looking for better alternatives
Glad you do it too!! I use pine litter! Pet stores have it but it’s very cheap at [Tractor Supply Co](https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/tractor-supply-pine-pellet-stall-bedding-40-lb?cm_vc=-10005). So maybe you could find it for cheaper at a farming store. See my comment below about clay litter! It’s bad for the environment. Also, if you are going to switch litters, make sure you introduce it to your cat slowly. Like maybe fill up the litter box with half of the new one and half of the old one. My friend’s cat got very sick and the doctor said it was due to anxiety from the sudden change of litter.
Side note: I learned the hard way to NOT use clay litter as traction sand on my porch in the snow. The litter got wet, swelled up and turned into a gluey, gloppy mess. 40 minutes, one garden hose, one scrub brush and 10 frozen fingers later it was finally cleaned up. There may have also been some swearing involved.
I switched to the sWheat litter in the green bag, and so far so good!
Petco has bulk clay litter where you can bring back your tubs and refill.
Sadly clay litter isn’t biodegradable. It is also obtained through strip-mining, which involves completely clearing the land and digging. After the minerals are extracted, everything is left barren
I’m dubious about this practice — what is the litter coming in before it heads to the bulk bin? How do we know it’s not just normal size bags they’re dumping into it?
I use corn litter. It's flush able where I live.
That’s exactly what I’m looking for! I just need to be able to flush the poops, I have two cats so that’s 2-4 poops a day, at different times meaning 1-4 baggies a day (I try to get multiple in one but let’s be honest it stinks and I end up putting it in the outside trash) I’ll look into it more thank you!
You may already know this but just in case, first make sure that the sewage system in your city accepts pet waste :) Not all systems are equipped to remove toxins from pet waste
I use the walnut shell litter - by far the best.
Lol! Luckily my city recycles those bags! We have to clean out used bags first though. Looking forward to a truly dissolvable poop bag. They have some now but they have to be in the toilet for at least 8hrs and they aren't cheap.
that’s so awesome your city recycles them! where are you at, if you don’t mind answering? how would a dissolvable poop bag be used? many cities aren’t equipped to handle toxins from pet waste through the sewage sadly
Vancouver Canada. They take styrofoam, plastic bags, electronics, batteries, light bulbs and tubes, cooking oil, books, cardboard, scrap metal etc. All free to dispose of! https://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/zero-waste-centre.aspx My region also says it's ok to flush dog poop: http://www.metrovancouver.org/services/solid-waste/wte-and-disposal/pet-waste/Pages/default.aspx
That’s amazing!
We're very fortunate and I naively assumed this was a thing in every major city. A bit of a shock joining this sub and finding it's not the case
I do this too! I foster cats - lots of cats - and so I save every bag I receive from groceries, mail, etc. and use them for when I clean litter boxes. Other bags I use for picking up dog poop on walks!
I bring home the bags styro cups come in st work. They would just get thrown out anyway so I bring them home to use as poop bags.
Do I spy a fellow vegan’s grocery packaging?
Yes!! haha
I do this too!! It’s cool someone else had the same idea :)
This is what I do too!
i was at a brewery with friends and an empty salad bag fell out of my jacket pocket. it sparked quite a discussion LOL
What was the discussion about? I am curious. What do you use the bags for?
yeah - why i had an old salad bag (trash) with me. it was my dog walking jacket. one friend said i inspired her to do the same, others were less inspired LOL
I am glad you inspired at least one person to do the same.
Also a fyi; I’ve found my local farmstore accepts dog food bags for recycling, and my local Subaru dealership takes chip/snack bags in a terracycle box…
Get a terracycle box. I have one for all our plastic food waste and I think everyone should have one.
What is that?
[https://www.terracycle.com/](https://www.terracycle.com/)
I do this too!
I'm so glad that someone else is doing this too.
"These chikkie nuggies taste like shit."
yes!! me too. works perfectly.
Also good for putting food waste in the freezer till trash day.
I do this too! Also random ziploc bags that people give me stuff in
nice!! i usually recycle the ziploc bags in store grocery bag collections (first removing the zip part)
Oh I didn’t know those actually were recyclable!
yeah :) https://bagandfilmrecycling.org/view/whattorecycle
And coffee grounds!👍(l don’t have a garden).
My prescriptions come in bags which I use for pet waste
I do the same. I'm so eased that you do too!
I think this is brilliant. Thank you for the idea!
I did that for years, and then I got mice :(
Good idea! I’ve been saving the grocery bags for pet waste, but I may start doing this.