#RecycleRightNY Campaign Materials

March is dedicated to educating the public about the statewide plastic bag ban and film plastic recycling.

The resources will inform residents about NY’s plastic bag ban and educate them about other recyclable film plastics besides plastic carryout bags. The resources also provide information letting residents know that return to retail drop off bins for recycling film plastic will still be available after the statewide bag ban in NY goes into effect. To spread the message, please use the resources below (Facebook / Instagram posts, Twitter tweets, newsletter article, graphics and other resources) through the month of March via your social media platforms, newsletters, etc. Modify the order for the month as necessary to fit your needs.

High resolution images formatted for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and newsletters can be downloaded by going to NYDEC's Recycle Right NY Flickr album. For instructions, scroll down to the heading "Free images" below. To download any images from the body of this email, right click the image and then choose "Save As".

Week 1 Campaign Materials (Plastic Carryout Bag Ban)

Facebook/Instagram: As of March 1, 2020, all plastic carryout bags (other than certain exempt bags) are banned from distribution by entities required to collect sales tax in New York State. You can help and BYOB – Bring Your Own Bag! For more info visit https://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/117781.html #BYOBAGNY

Twitter: As of March 1, 2020, all plastic carryout bags (other than certain exempt bags) are banned from distribution by entities required to collect sales tax in New York State. You can help and BYOB – Bring Your Own Bag! https://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/50034.html#BYOBAGNY

Facebook/Instagram: Got your reusable shopping bag habit down pat and ready to go the extra mile? Reusable produce bags are the next step towards reducing our dependency on plastic. #BYOBAGNY

Twitter: Got your reusable shopping bag habit down pat and ready to go the extra mile? Reusable produce bags are the next step towards reducing our dependency on plastic. #BYOBAGNY

Week 2 Campaign Materials (Recycle Plastic Film)

Facebook/Instagram: The NYS Bag Waste Reduction Law will greatly reduce the number of plastic bags we use but did you know there is still a TON of plastic film out there that can be recycled at film plastic recycling drop-off locations? Examples include newspaper bags, bread bags, dry cleaning bags, air pillows, produce bags, and product overwrap around items like paper towels. Never put plastic bags in your home recycling bin. #RecycleRightNY

Twitter: Even with a ban on plastic carryout bags, there’s still a TON of plastic film that can be recycled at drop-off locations like bags from newspaper, bread, and dry cleaning, air pillows, and product overwrap. Never put plastic bags in your home recycling bin. #RecycleRightNY

Facebook/Instagram: Although recyclable, you can’t put flexible film plastic in your home recycling bin – it gets stuck in the machinery at the recycling facility and will not be properly recycled there. Collect clean, dry film plastic and return to bins at retail locations. Learn what film plastics are at https://www.plasticfilmrecycling.org/ #RecycleRightNY

Twitter:  Although recyclable, you should NEVER include film plastic in your home recycling bin. It gets stuck in machinery at recycling facilities and will not be properly recycled there. Collect clean, dry film plastic and return to bins at retail locations throughout NY. #RecycleRightNY

Week 3 Campaign Materials (Film Plastic Test)

Facebook/Instagram: Unsure which film plastics can be recycled in retail drop-off bins? An easy tip is the stretch test. Usually if material is stretchy, you can recycle it in these bins. If it crinkles, tears like paper, or doesn't stretch it belongs in the trash. There are a few expectations- learn more at https://www.plasticfilmrecycling.org/ #RecycleRightNY

Twitter: Q: Which film plastics can I recycle in retail drop-off bins? A: Use the stretch test. If stretchy when you pull on it, you can usually recycle it. If it crinkles, tears, or doesn't stretch- trash it. Info and exceptions at https://www.plasticfilmrecycling.org/ #RecycleRightNY

Week 4 Campaign Materials (Recycled Film Plastic Products)

Facebook/Instagram:  Wondering what will happen to the film plastic like bread bags, case wrap and produce bags you recycle in storefront bins? Flexible plastic film packaging collected at designated return-to-retail bins gets recycled into all kinds of products such as other plastic bags or trash can liners, composite lumber for decks, playground equipment, shopping carts, crates, and more! #RecycleRightNY

Twitter:  Flexible plastic film packaging collected at designated return-to-retail bins gets recycled into all kinds of products such as other plastic packaging, trash can liners, composite lumber for decks, playground equipment, shopping carts, crates, and more! #RecycleRightNY

March Newsletter/Newspaper Article

That’s a Wrap for Plastic Carryout Bags!

As of March 1, 2020, all plastic carryout bags (other than certain exempt bags) are banned from distribution by entities required to collect sales tax in New York State. You can help and BYOB – Bring Your Own Bag!

This law will greatly reduce the number of plastic bags we use and will prevent litter, but did you know there is still a TON of film plastic out there other than plastic carryout bags that can be recycled at convenient drop-off bins? Some examples of other film plastic include:

• newspaper bags
• bread bags
• dry cleaning bags
• air pillows
• produce bags
• product overwrap around items like paper towels.

Drop It Off

Remember: although recyclable, you should never include flexible film plastic in your home recycling bin – it gets stuck in the machinery at your recycling facility and will not be properly recycled there. Return to retail drop-off bins for recycling film plastic will still be available for all of the other film plastics that are generated from stores and products after the bag ban goes into effect. Better yet, think of other ways to BYO Bag such as trying reusable produce bags!
Follow these steps to recycle film plastic correctly:

• determine if your plastic item is film plastic
• collect clean, dry film plastic
• find a drop-off location
• return film plastic to designated bins at retail locations throughout the state
• DO NOT put film plastics in your home recycling bin

Unsure? Try the Stretch Test

Only film plastics can be recycled in drop-off bins. An easy test to figure out whether or not plastic is film and can be recycled in drop-off bins is the stretch test. Usually if the material is stretchy, you can recycle it in return-to-retail film plastic recycling bins( there are a couple exceptions to watch out for). If it doesn’t stretch, tears like paper, or crinkles loudly it belongs in the trash. You can also Look for the “How2Recycle” label available on some product packaging for recycling instructions. 

Other Resources

Can I Recycle That Film?

Plastic Bag and Film Plastic Recycling for Consumers

Bag Waste Reduction Law Information*

• Bag Waste Reduction Law Information for manufacturers and retailers
• Bag Waste Reduction Law Information for Consumers
• Bag Ban and BYOB downloadable graphics and videos
• Bag Waste Reduction Law Outreach Materials
  • Tip strips, social media graphics and more
• BYOB Video

*please note- information and outreach materials for the Bag Waste Reduction Law are available in multiple languages.

Free Images

Free high resolution images formatted for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and newsletters can be downloaded by going to NYDEC's Recycle Right NY Flickr album. *

Images may not be available right away. If you do not see images for the item of the month we recommend waiting a day or two and then checking the Flickr album again for updates.  

Directions to download from Flickr: Click the link to open the Flickr album. Scroll to the image you want and left click on it. The image will now be brought up on the screen by itself. In the far right bottom corner there will be a downward facing arrow with a line under it. Left click on it and choose, Original (1024x512) as the option. It will automatically download.  If you need assistance please e-mail us at recycling@dec.ny.gov.

* If you are experiencing technical difficulties downloading the images from Flickr, please open the Flickr link in a different web browser such as Chrome or Firefox.

Instagram Graphics

Facebook/Twitter Graphics