So, is bubble wrap recyclable? A parcel gets delivered home. Once you open the box, you will see your package nicely enveloped in a thick plastic film. The fun part is that we find pleasure in bursting the bubbles without knowing the utility of preserving the products inside cardboard boxes. This fluffy plastic film acts like a protective cover to prevent the items from any external damage.
These plastic films are nothing but bubble wraps. They have air bubbles that make them convenient to use. These air pillows create a bouncy surface that acts as a shock absorber and ensures the safe delivery of fragile household items.
In this busy world, ordering via digital platforms is the easiest way to get your products delivered home in just a click. However, a customer ordering products through online shopping prefers to opt for travel-friendly packaging materials that would ensure the safety of the products. Hence, there rises the need for wholesome bubble wrapping.
But there also arises a question of whether these plastics are recyclable. The world is heading towards a plastic population due to the overuse of plastic bags. Recycling bubble wraps is vital to combat plastic pollution. The growing concern in the modern world is how to switch to reusable plastics without harming the environment.
Is Bubble Wrap Recyclable?
Bubble wrap sheets are recyclable. However, recycling is not similar to cardboard boxes, plastic bags, or plastic bottles. So, let’s learn about the recycling process.
How Bubble Wraps Are Made?
Bubble wrap sheets use low-density polyethylene (LDPE). Low-density polyethylene is a variant of thermoplastic. While manufacturing plastic material, they come in handy. For example, they manufacture plastic bags, bottles, containers, battery cases, housewares, etc.
Polyethylene is a much sought-after raw material required for producing such housewares due to its flexibility and waterproof nature.
Are Bubble Wraps Harmful?
Bubble wrap is recyclable, but when exposed to nature, they contribute to pollution.
Researchers say exposure of these plastic wraps to direct sunlight produces harmful greenhouse gases like methane and ethylene. In addition, they have low density and are prone to breakage.
Uses Of Bubble Wrap
We have understood the process of bubble wrap recycling. Now let us dive into some uses of bubble wrap in the contemporary world.
Bubble wrap comes in handy for shipping goods to distant places–
- While sending goods from one place to another, the cardboard packaging material goes through multiple hand exchanges. It makes them prone to external jerks. A plastic wrap made of polyethylene foam keeps the objects inside the packaging intact. Bubble wraps are better than other packing materials as they are shock resistant.
- Best for Handling Fragile Objects–
- Decorative pieces made of glass or other fragile materials are the desired purchase for home decorations. The digital marketing platforms offer the customer pieces at high discounted rates. The customers thus prefer to buy online.
- But due to the fragility of the items, packaging, and shipping plays a vital role. The best way to handle these objects is to cover these objects using a thick film of bubble wrap.
- Bubble Wraps protect goods from dust-
- Apart from tackling fragile goods, bubble wraps can be an option for protecting objects from dust. It is advisable to keep the electronic goods in bubble protectors. It will help prevent the dust particles from damaging the products.
Is Bubble Wrap Recyclable in California?
In California, bubble wrap and air pillow packaging are not recyclable. Though the material uses low-density polyethylene foam, the adhesives and seal labels make them difficult to recycle.
Is Bubble Wrap Recyclable in NYC?
In New York City, bubble wrap is recyclable. However, the recycling program is not an initiative by the municipal curbside recycling program.
The curbside recycling bin collects high-density polyethylene foam from houses. Products with high density include water bottles, plastic containers, etc.
Is Bubble Wrap Recyclable in San Francisco?
Yes, Bubble wrap is recyclable in San Francisco. It is because San Francisco arranges for an effective recycling program. The recycling program includes bubble wraps, thick-gauged plastic containers, buckets, and toys.
But while dropping the products into recycling bins, one must ensure that the products do not contain metal objects, electric wires, batteries, etc. Such substances can harm the recycling machinery.
As per the advisories of the municipality, people must drop off the plastic bags and bubble wrap in blue bins. Products like batteries, metal cases, and circuits will go into the green bin. Otherwise, these products, when recycled together with bubble wraps, can harm recycling machinery.
Is Bubble Wrap Recyclable in Texas?
In Texas, the recycling of bubble wrap comes in handy through Recycle and Reuse drop center. Unfortunately, there are no municipal initiatives for collecting bubble wraps in blue bins. What you have to do is log on to websites that relate to waste management and recycling systems. It will help users to find the drop-off center with ease.
Is Bubble Wrap Recyclable in Seattle?
In Seattle, consumers must initiate the recycling process. It means that the municipal wings do not take the initiative of plastic waste collection from home. They do not favor curbside recycling options. The citizens must take the waste materials to the garbage bins or recycling centers. Though it seems time-consuming, it is an option to trigger citizens’ awareness of plastic recycling.
How Do You Recycle Bubble Wrap Waste?
Without the proper knowledge, the recycling process might seem complicated. However, the process is not complex. It involves practice and little knowledge about a few steps. So let us look at some steps that are vital to recycling bubble wraps.
Step 1
An individual assigned with the task of recycling must take pop up the air bubbles in the bubble wrap. This step is fun. Popping up the air pillows is an enjoyable and stress-relieving task. Not only among children, popping the air pockets seems like a fun activity among adults also.
Step 2
The next step involved is to find a recycling center. Finally, it is advisable to find an agency that performs plastic bag recycling tasks. An easy option is to search for local recycling programs arranged by municipalities. If you do not find such programs, do not worry.
Plastic Film Recycling offers detailed information about how to reach the companies that accept bubble wrap.
Step 3
A question may come to mind about how to find such drop-off plastic containers in your locality. The answer is simple. When we visit grocery stores or pharmacies, we find indicators about plastic recycling bins. This recycling bin is an initiative to reduce plastic pollution.
Several agencies arrange exchange programs where people get rewarded for donating used-up plastic wraps and packing materials. This process is hassle-free as people do not have to search for recycling programs.
Apart from this, sealed air corporation arranges a campaign where customers can mail their inquiries about the recycling process. They offer exchange benefits.
Step 4
It is advisable to remove adhesive, tags and product labels, nylon substances, and other stuff before the bubble wrap gets to processing.
Is Bubble Wrap Soft Plastic Recycling?
Yes, bubble wrap soft plastic is recyclable. The plastic recycling process includes the collection of low-micron plastic wastes from home. While collecting, one must segregate them into blue and green bins. Citizens can also drop their garbage in bins outside grocery stores or parks.
The next step includes washing and shredding the waste collected. Tearing large plastics into pieces manually or by machines makes recycling easy.
The final step is recycling the soft bubble wrap for further usage. It will ensure that the waste transforms into a fruitful product.
Final Words
Plastic waste is a growing concern in the 21st century. We are heading towards digitalization and eco-friendly solutions to protect our environment. An environment protection initiative also includes discarding plastic because low-micron plastics contribute to global warming and greenhouse gases.
The solution to arrive at an eco-friendly use of bubble wraps and plastic material is by adopting the strategies of reduction, recycling, and reuse. Thus, we can say reducing the use of low-micron and low-density polyethylene plastic, recycling the waste plastic bubble wraps and plastic waste, and reusing them can help citizens to live in a pollution-free environment.
A few extra steps toward plastic recycling can save civilization from succumbing to environmental pollution.