Grocery and retail stores are trying harder than ever before to be more environmentally friendly, including recycling plastic bags and other items used in stores.
If you’ve been wondering if Publix recycles plastic bags and other items, keep reading because I’ll tell you all about the Publix recycling measures and policies!
Key Takeaways
Does Publix Recycle Plastic Bags In 2022?
Publix recycles plastic bags at its store locations and various other plastic products, including overwrap from bread and toilet paper products as of 2022. Additionally, Publix now can recycle polystyrene, which is used for egg cartons and takeout trays. Further, you can recycle paper products at Publix, too, as part of its no-waste initiative.
To learn what other items Publix recycles and whether it has reusable bags for shopping, keep reading!
Does Publix Recycle Paper Bags?
Yes, Publix does recycle paper bags just like it recycles plastic bags.
Also, Publix has huge bins located near the entrances of the stores, so shoppers can just throw their paper bags into the containers.
However, ensure that the paper bags are emptied, clean, and dry from moisture or water. That said, if the paper bags are wet, then you cannot recycle them.
Also, you can recycle newspaper ads, advertisement inserts, and even Publix recipe cards since they’re paper products.
Does Publix Recycle Prescription Bottles?
Unfortunately, Publix stopped the policy of accepting prescription bottles for recycling, which includes amber bottles.
So, if you’d like to recycle your prescription bottles, call your local recycling centers and see if they still accept the amber prescription bottles.
Does Publix Recycle Styrofoam?
Yes, Publix does recycle styrofoam, and that includes other products that contain polystyrene.
Furthermore, polystyrene is more challenging to recycle, so not many places offer to recycle for those products. But, Publix changed its policy to include those products in its recycling program.
With that, you can bring your clean cups, takeout trays, and egg cartons that use polystyrene to Publix and recycle them, along with other styrofoam products.
Does Publix Recycle Bubble Wrap?
Yes, Publix does recycle bubble wrap. However, you cannot recycle bubble wrap inside an envelope; it has to be bubble wrap as a standalone product.
Does Publix Recycle Wine Bags?
Yes, you can recycle wine bags at Publix if they are made from recyclable material, such as the reusable bags that Publix offers customers made from the Green Bag Company.
However, you need to ensure the bags are cleaned out, dry, and contain no residue to recycle them.
Does Publix Recycle Cardboard?
Surprisingly, Publix doesn’t recycle cardboard, even if it’s free of debris and moisture. Instead, you’ll need to contact your local recycling center or trash provider to get rid of your cardboard.
Does Publix Recycle Plastic Bottles?
Unfortunately, Publix doesn’t accept most plastic bottles, including #1 plastic, which is polyethylene terephthalate.
That said, plastic beverage and water bottles often use polyethylene terephthalate #1 plastic, which means you cannot recycle plastic bottles at Publix if it’s a #1.
However, you may be able to recycle plastic bottles through your local recycling center or waste company.
With that, don’t hesitate to give them a call and see if they accept plastic bottles before tossing them in the trash!
What Types Of Plastic Does Publix Recycle?
Publix recycles a variety of plastic at its store locations, including:
- Resealable Bags including Zip-top (without zippers)
- Ice Bags
- Dry Cling Wrap
- Pharmacy Bags
- Salt Bags
- Bread Bags
- Cereal Bags (not inside the cereal box)
- Dry Cleaning Bags
- Produce Bags
- Shipping Overwrap
- Plastic Overwrap from paper towels, napkins, and toilet paper
- Air Pillows
- Wood Pellet Bags
- #2 and #4 soft plastics
What Types Of Paper Does Publix Recycle?
Additionally, you can recycle a variety of paper products at Publix, including:
- All Paper Bags (clean and dry)
- Recipe Cards
- All Newspapers & Inserts
What Types Of Foam Does Publix Recycle?
Recently, Publix updated the recycling policy to include more foam products, including:
- Styrofoam Meat Trays
- Styrofoam Egg Cartons
- Styrofoam Cups
- Foam Egg Cartons
- Takeout Trays
However, it’s important to note that all styrofoam products need to be clean, dry, and free of any food or drink to meet the criteria for recycling.
Does Publix Accept Bottle Returns?
At this time, Publix does not accept bottle returns, nor do stores have a recycling bin for bottles. Instead, you’re going to have to contact a different store if you’re looking for bottle returns.
What Items Does Publix Not Recycle?
There are several items that Publix does not accept for recycling, including:
- Packing Peanuts
- Cups with Lids & Straws
- Foam Blocks Used During Electronic Packaging
- Takeout Trays Containing Food
- Fast Food Bags Containing Food
- Hardcover Books
- Envelopes lined with Bubble Wrap
- Rigid Plastic Containers
- Clamshell Food Containers
- #1 and #5 Plastics
- Jugs
- Any Plastic Containing Food or Drink
If you want to know more, you can also see our posts on whether or not Safeway recycles plastic bags, if Home Depot recycles plastic bags, and also if Walmart recycles plastic bags & bottles.
Conclusion
Publix does recycle plastic bags and other items at its stores nationwide and offers an easy-to-read guide on each bin on what’s accepted and not accepted.
Furthermore, you can recycle plastic wrapping from toilet paper and napkins at Publix, as well as other plastic bags from the pharmacy or produce section.
On top of that, you can recycle various paper items at Publix, such as paper bags and newspapers.
Also, Publix offers to recycle styrofoam and other products containing polystyrene, meaning egg cartons and takeout trays are also accepted!
Unfortunately, Publix does not recycle prescription amber pill bottles anymore, and it doesn’t accept plastic water bottles or beverage bottles.