SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio residents will no longer be allowed to place plastic bags in the city's blue recycle bins after August 1.
The San Antonio Solid Waste Department (SWMD) said it will not accept the single-use plastic bags, even if they are bundled.
The agency said the change is necessary because the bags are getting mixed into the recycling system. The plastic bags and other plastic films can stick to recycling sorting equipment, according to the city, which causes problems with the machinery.
City officials said they tried to offer it as an option, but it just did not work.
“Of the nation’s 10 other largest cities, none of them are accepting plastic bags in the blue cart. San Antonio kept them in its program for several years, but operationally it hasn’t worked," SWMD Deputy Director Josephine Valencia said.
The city offered the following instructions for San Antonio residents:
- Do not place plastic bags in the blue cart: Plastic bags should not be placed in the blue recycling cart as they can become entangled with other recyclable materials, rendering them non-recyclable.
- Use retailer drop-off kiosks: Many retailers offer recycling drop-off kiosks specifically for plastic bags. This ensures the bags are collected separately and can be properly processed into new products.
- Choose reusable bags: Consider reducing your use of single-use plastic bags by shopping with personal reusable bags.
- Dispose of plastic bags in the brown trash cart: If you cannot recycle plastic bags at a retailer, place them in the brown trash cart.
You can get more information by visiting this website.
