Plastic Bags and Film
Do not place plastic bags or film into your recycling cart.
Return plastic bags and appropriate film to a retailer. Below are a list of retailers that accept bags for recycling.
Why won't the City just ban plastic bags like other places?
What Plastic Bags can I Recycle at retailers?
As there may be variability with the stores depending on the processors on the back-end of the recycling system, you may want to check with your preferred retailer.
In general, bags and film must be
- Empty
- Clean
- Dry
Commonly accepted items at these locations are:
- Grocery and retail bags
- Newspaper delivery bags
- Clean & dry bags labeled #2 and #4
- Some plastic film wrapping from plastic water and beverage bottle casing
- Some large pillow packing bubbles (pop the pillows)
Plastic Bag Recycling Options
Using a plastic bag drop-off site ensures the bags will not become tangled in the sorting machinery at the recycling facility.
This list is not exhaustive.
Other options may exist locally, including branches of other chain stores in the surrounding cities (Sun Prairie, Fitchburg, etc.).
| Store | Address | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| Capital Center Foods | 111 N. Broom Street | 608-255-2616 |
| Festival Foods | 801 E. Washington Ave | 608-709-1976 |
| Pick `n Save | 3010 Cahill Main | 608-271-2024 |
| Pick `n Save | 1312 S. Park Street | 608-257-3748 |
| Pick `n Save | 2502 Shopko Drive | 608-243-1000 |
| Pick `n Save | 6655 McKee Rd | 608-410-7050 |
| HyVee | 3801 E. Washington Ave | 608-244-4696 |
| HyVee | 675 S. Whitney Way | 608-277-6735 |
| Kohl's | 2602 East Springs Drive | 608-246-3022 |
| Kohl's | 7401 West Towne Way | 608-833-9293 |
| Metcalfe's | 726 N. Midvale Blvd | 608-238-7612 |
| Metcalfe's | 7455 Mineral Point Rd | 608-829-3500 |
| Metro Market | 6010 Cottage Grove Rd | 608-223-0939 |
| Metro Market | 261 Junction Rd | 608-829-2020 |
| Metro Market | 6540 Monona Drive | 608-222-9575 |
| Metro Market | 3650 University Ave | 608-231-6935 |
| Trader Joe's | 1810 Monroe Street | 608-257-1916 |
| Walmart | 7202 Watts Rd | 608-276-9393 |
| Walmart | 4198 Nakoosa Trail | 608-241-8808 |
| Woodman's | 3817 Milwaukee Street | 608-244-6630 |
| Target | 4301 Lien Rd | 608-244-4527 |
| Target | 750 Hilldale Way | 608-807-3978 |
| Target | 201 Junction Rd | 608-827-8800 |
| Target | 6321 McKee Rd | 608-819-1522 |
If you find a store that now accepts plastic bags and film for recycling that's within the City of Madison that's not listed above, let us know.
If you do not see the store, you like shopping at on this list, speak with that store's management about adding this service.
(list updated 1/04/2024)
Plastic film and bags not usually recyclable
- Online shopping shipment bags (often a thick white or gray bag)
- Mulch bags
- Pet food bags
- Kitty litter bags
- Food wrap
- Softener salt bags
- Wrapping from meat products
- Plastic shrink wrap around electronics
- Thick plastic film from furniture deliveries
- Dark green or black trash bags
- Compostable bioplastic film
- Bubble wrap
- Drawstring bags
Donate plastic grocery bags
Food pantries and thrift stores may accept plastic bag donations for their operations.
Check with the organization you wish to support before taking bags to them for donation.
Why won't the city ban plastic bags?
Current state law prohibits municipalities from banning plastic bags.
What do I do with plastic film waste now that I can't recycle it in my cart?
Avoid creating this waste whenever possible.
Choose other options, such as reusable bags, which can be anything from canvas totes to reusable mesh produce bags to other reusable, durable containers.
You can also choose paper bags for their ease of recycling.
If you have plastic bags, look for ways to extend their useful life so they are not single use, such as drying and reusing freezer or sandwich bags.