How to Recycle Plastic Film
Plastic film is NOT accepted in recycling containers. Please do not put plastic film in the recycling cart(s) or dumpster.
Drop-off plastic film at the Ramsey County Environmental Center to be recycled.
Click here to view their location and hours
2018 Plastic Film Collection & Recycling Pilot
The Saint Paul Public Works Solid Waste & Recycling Department conducted a pilot program in select apartment buildings that focused on collecting and recycling plastic bags, film and packaging.
The pilot program dates were June 4th, 2018 - August 3rd, 2018.
How it Worked
Residents collected plastic bags, film and packaging in their unit. When they were ready to recycle the material, they took it to a specially designated bin in their building’s laundry room or waste area.
The plastic film was then picked up on an on-call basis and transported to a plastic film recycling facility.
Accepted Items
Residents Were Reminded
- Plastic must be clean and dry for recycling.
- Remove stickers, labels and tape to the best of your ability.
- Shake out crumbs and residue, and remove receipts.
- DO NOT place plastic bags, film or packaging in your building's recycling carts.
Print Resources
These resources were provided to apartment management staff and were used to communicate the materials that were accepted in the pilot program.
Note: If volunteers in your apartment building are willing to collect plastic film and drop-off it off at the Ramsey County Environmental Center to be recycled, please use these resources.
Results of the Pilot Program
77 lbs. of plastic bags, film and packaging were collected for recycling from three participating properties between June 4th, 2018 - August 3rd, 2018. After the pilot program ended, two of the properties chose to continue collecting material by coordinating resident volunteers to take on program operations. 310 units were reached through this pilot program.
Read Saint Paul Recycling's full report here: Plastic Film Pilot Report
Inspired by this program, Saint Paul Recycling created a weather resistant recycling cart decal with messaging stating "Do not bag recyclables" and "No plastic bags". The messaging is translated into four additional languages on the decal, and the decal is freely available to apartment building property managers and owners. Visit This Page for more information.
