MiSustainable Holland: Meijer lends a hand with free thin plastic recycling
HOLLAND — While many of us work hard to reduce our use of plastics, it can sometimes feel out of our control.
For example, a number of everyday items and food products come packaged in a thin plastic film that most regular recycling centers don't accept. That includes bags of bread, cereal and produce — plus resealable plastic sandwich bags and plastic product wrapping.
While this type of plastic may seem insignificant, being so thin, it quickly adds up. Fortunately, local retailers are stepping in, making the recycling of plastic film both convenient and inexpensive.
Meijer locations in West Michigan have placed recycling bins inside their entrances for this exact purpose. Better yet, they're free to use! The company hopes to minimize its environmental impact and be a considerate neighbor.
Meijer specifically targets the waste of single-use plastic shopping bags, but their efforts provide an easy way to recycle all kinds of plastic bags and films. Here's a reference to see what can be recycled in those bins: meijercommunity.com/plastic-bag-recycling.
Go to bagandfilmrecycling.org to learn more about plastic recycling, including more recycling locations at national chains like Target, Walmart and Kohl’s.
In 2021, Meijer recycled a whopping 7.6 million pounds of plastic bags. The company has also implemented plastic flowerpot and tray recycling at locations with garden centers.
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So, on your next shopping trip, place your used plastic in the proper bin. Make sure it's clean and dry. Your actions are extremely beneficial in reducing unnecessary waste that would otherwise end up in a landfill.
As we continue our efforts, we can begin to build a generation that's environmentally aware and motivated to make positive changes toward a cleaner and healthier earth.
— Eric Bauder is a watershed intern with the ODC Network and recently graduated from Cornerstone University with a degree in environmental biology.
About this series
The MiSustainable Holland column is a collection of community voices sharing updates about local sustainability initiatives.
This Week’s Sustainability Framework Theme: Environmental Awareness/Action: Environmental education and integrating environmental practices into our planning will change negative outcomes of the past and improve our future.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: MiSustainable Holland: Meijer lends a hand with free thin plastic recycling
