Can you recycle plastic wrap?

Plastic cling wrap (Saran wrap, food film) is not recyclable. It's a thin, stretchy film that tangles the sorting machines, and it's almost always contaminated with food — so it can't go in the curbside cart or the store plastic-bag drop-off. It goes in the black trash cart.

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Why not the store film drop-off

Store drop-off bins take clean, dry polyethylene film (grocery bags, bread bags, air pillows). Used cling wrap is greasy and clingy — it contaminates that stream, so keep it out. Only clean, unused film would qualify, which is rare.

Bubble wrap is different

Clean bubble wrap and plastic shipping air pillows CAN go in a store film drop-off, even though cling wrap can't — see our bubble-wrap guide.

Cut down on it

Reusable beeswax wraps, silicone lids, or containers replace most cling-wrap uses and skip the waste.

Plastic Wrap — quick FAQ

Is plastic wrap recyclable?

No — cling film / Saran wrap isn't recyclable in the curbside cart or at store drop-offs (it's thin, stretchy, and food-contaminated). It goes in the black trash cart.

Can plastic wrap go in the plastic-bag store drop-off?

No — those bins are only for clean, dry film. Used cling wrap is contaminated and doesn't belong there.

What's a recyclable alternative to cling wrap?

Reusable beeswax wraps, silicone stretch lids, or sealable containers avoid the single-use film entirely.

Related

Can you recycle bubble wrapCan you recycle plastic bagsWhat can I recycle?

Not sure about something else? Point your camera at it and RecycleLens tells you the right bin.