Plastic Film Recycling for Commercial Operations
Plastic film is one of the most frustrating materials for businesses to manage. Stretch wrap from pallets, shrink wrap from packaging, and plastic bags from shipments are lightweight, bulky, and notoriously difficult to handle in traditional waste streams. They blow around, tangle in equipment, and fill dumpsters without adding meaningful weight.
But plastic film is also highly recyclable when handled correctly. Baling compresses loose film into dense, manageable bales that have genuine commodity value. RME helps businesses across Phoenix bale plastic film as part of a complete materials we recycle program.
Why Plastic Film Belongs in a Baler
Loose plastic film is essentially worthless to a hauler, it takes up space without generating weight-based revenue. Baled film, however, is a marketable commodity. Polyethylene film (the most common commercial plastic film) can be recycled into new products like composite lumber, trash bags, and packaging materials.
The Plastic Film Recycling organization maintains resources on acceptable film types and recovery best practices. RME aligns with these standards to ensure your baled film is clean and marketable.
What Can Be Baled
Acceptable plastic film includes stretch wrap, shrink wrap, pallet wrap, plastic shopping bags, bubble wrap (with air removed), and clean polyethylene sheeting. Materials that cannot be baled include food-contaminated film, biodegradable plastics, and mixed-material laminates.
Keeping Film Clean
The value of baled plastic film depends heavily on cleanliness. Keep film separate from cardboard and other materials. Remove labels, tape, and contaminants. Store bales indoors or under cover to prevent UV degradation.
Curious whether your film volume justifies a baler? schedule a free onsite assessment and we'll take a look.
