How to Recycle Chip Bags, Snack Bags and Candy Wrappers
How to Recycle Chip Bags, Snack Bags and Candy Wrappers
The fact is, chip bags, snack bags and candy wrappers can’t be recycled with regular recyclables. There are a few ways to recycle chip bags, snack bags and candy wrappers, but they will require some extra effort and sometimes cost.
Why are Snack Bags and Wrappers So Difficult to Recycle?
Most chip and snack bags are made from a material called metalized polypropyleyne, which is a thin aluminum laminated in plastic. If it were possible to separate those two materials, the metal and the plastic, then they might be recyclable. But since this multi-layer packaging is melded together, they are not currently recyclable, except through TerraCycle (see below).
Examples of multi-layer packaging you should leave out of your recycling bin:
- Chip and snack bags
- Pouches
- Granola wrappers
- Many other candy and snack wrappers
What about plain foil and paper?
If you have a chocolate kiss in foil or a candy bar wrapped in foil with a paper sleeve, you can recycle the paper (as long as it’s clean, i.e. not contaminated with chocolate), and foils can be recycled with other aluminum foil. But tiny pieces of foil won’t be sorted properly, so clump your foils up together into larger balls. Keep in mind also that many communities don’t want aluminum foil in with regular curbside recyclables either. Visit this page to learn more about recycling aluminum foil.
Special Programs for Recycling Snack Bags and Wrappers
If you are really motivated to recycle your snack and candy wrappers, there are some drop-off locations that gather these materials and send it to TerraCycle for specialized recycling. Subaru hosts boxes where you can drop off materials like disposable cups, straws, coffee pods and snack bags. Find one of their drop-off locations using the searchable map on this page.
If you go through a lot of snack bags and candy wrappers at your business or school, it might make sense to get your own TerraCycle box. You do have to pay for it though. Purchase a TerraCycle Candy and Snack Wrappers Zero Waste Box here.
