Reduce and Reuse

Only take a bag if you need it. If you have one or two small items, consider carrying them out instead.  Bring a cloth bag with you to the store. Ask the cashier if they offer a discount if you bring your own bag. Many stores do.  Reuse plastic bags. Wash them if necessary.  Some thrift stores will accept plastic and paper bags to use for their customers. Please check with the store prior to donating your bags.

Recycling

DO NOT include plastic bags with your curbside recycling. Many grocery stores and co-ops participate in the ‘It's in the Bag’ program. Consumers may deposit clean, dry plastic bags in specially designed collection bins found at participating retail locations. Visit www.itsinthebagmn.org for a complete list of drop-off locations.   Several retailers not part of ‘It's in the Bag’ also have customer drop off areas for plastic bags, including Cub Foods, Lund's/Byerly's and Target.

How to recycle plastic bags at designated locations

Note: All material must be clean and dry:

• Plastic grocery bags
• Plastic retail bags (remove string ties and rigid plastic handles)
• Plastic dry-cleaning bags
• Plastic cereal bags (must be dry with ALL food residue removed)
• Plastic bread bags (must be dry with ALL rood residue removed)
• Plastic produce bags (must be dry with ALL food residue removed)
• Plastic frozen food bags (must be dry with ALL food residue removed)
• Plastic wrap from paper products (paper towels, etc.)
• Plastic salt bags (remove rigid plastic handles)
• Plastic zipper bags (remove top closing mechanism)
• Plastic stretch/shrink wrap
• 6-pack holder rings

Don't recycle

• Plastic bags with food residue
• Plastic bags with strings
• Plastic soil or mulch bags
• Plastic zipper bags with rigid plastic closing mechanism
• Plastic bubble wrap
• Plastic food containers