Can bubble wrap be recycled? Yes, but it’s not that simple.
Key takeaways
Is bubble wrap recyclable? Yes, bubble wrap can be recycled, but most likely not through your curbside recycling bin. Check the guidelines of your local recycling stream provider or simply Google “soft plastic recycling [your city/region/neighborhood name]” to find local projects that recycle bubble wrap.
While there are collection streams for soft plastic materials like bubble wrap, a very small percentage of plastic packaging actually gets recycled – in most countries around the world, it’s less than 10%.
If you can, it’s better to avoid using plastic bubble wrap in the first place.
We've all been there: you get a big delivery — maybe it's furniture or home appliances — and after unboxing the products, you’re left with copious amounts of bubble wrap. Now, what do you do with it? Can you recycle bubble wrap?
In theory, all plastic is recyclable — even if it is not economically or technically feasible. Recycling streams for soft plastics like bubble wrap are generally not easily accessible, though.
If you are looking to recycle plastic bubble wrap, your best bet is searching for local collection points for soft plastics recycling.
Read on to find out more about the recyclability of plastic bubble wrap, how to dispose of bubble wrap, and what sustainable materials you might want to use instead in the future.
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What is bubble wrap made of?
Bubble wrap is made from RIC4, a low-density polyethylene film (LPDF). Production typically begins with resin beads made of polyethylene, which create the plastic film. Its characteristics determine the properties of the final bubble wrap, including its flexibility and impact resistance.
How is bubble wrap made?
First, the polyethylene resin is melted and forced through a die (a molding machine), forming a continuous plastic sheet.
As the plastic sheet emerges, air is injected through small holes in the die, creating bubbles in the plastic.
The bubbles are then sealed by another layer of plastic film, creating air-filled pockets.
Finally, the plastic film is cooled and solidified, ensuring the bubbles retain their size and integrity.
Can bubble wrap be recycled?
The short answer is yes, but it rarely actually gets recycled. Bubble wrap is a “soft plastic”, and most local curbside recycling providers do not accept soft plastics with the packaging container.
The main reason for this is that the majority of recycling machinery is equipped to handle hard plastic products like plastic bottles or milk cartons.
What’s worse, not all plastic that gets collected actually gets recycled.
Research by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation shows that only 14% of all plastic packaging produced gets collected for recycling and just 2% gets recycled in the common sense meaning of the word — the rest is downcycled or lost during processing.
How to recycle bubble wrap: practical steps for proper disposal
If you find yourself stuck with some bubble wrap that you do not have use for anymore, the best thing you can do is discard it responsibly.
All you need to do for that is locate a center that handles soft plastic near you.
We recommend Googling “soft plastic recycling [your city/region/neighborhood name]”. Alternatively, you can also search using directories like the Earth 911 Recycling Search.
Depending on where you live, you’ll find a range of different projects that handle soft plastic waste, like grocery store drop-off schemes.
Note: if the bubble wrap is attached to any other material like say, an envelope – separate the two materials for recycling.
The better option: avoid creating bubble wrap waste in the first place
Depending on your situation and needs, you can choose to use more sustainable packaging materials instead of plastic bubble wrap. Here’s a handy guide:
Use case: Sending parcels (personal use)
Bubble wrap replacement: Old newspaper/magazine pages, kraft paper, any sustainable materials your local post office or logistics service offersUse case: Commerical packaging and shipping (e.g. ecommerce packaging or manufacturers who need to ship products)
Bubble wrap replacement: Wool packaging, honeycomb paper wrap or other types of paper packagingUse case: Moving
Bubble wrap replacement: Clothes, towels, blankets or any other textiles, old newspapers/magazines, egg cartons, professional moving services
Like all plastic packaging, there are two main issues with plastic bubble wrap: dependence on fossil fuels and a single-use mindset.
If we want to have any chance at fixing the planet, we’ve got to break both and switch to more sustainable packaging materials.
