Do not place plastic bags or film into your recycling cart.

Return plastic bags and appropriate film to a retailer. Below are a list of retailers that accept bags for recycling.

Why won't the City just ban plastic bags like other places?

As there may be variability with the stores depending on the processors on the back-end of the recycling system, you may want to check with your preferred retailer.

In general, bags and film must be

1. Empty
2. Clean
3. Dry

Commonly accepted items at these locations are:

• Grocery and retail bags
• Newspaper delivery bags
• Clean & dry bags labeled #2 and #4
• Some plastic film wrapping from plastic water and beverage bottle casing
• Some large pillow packing bubbles (pop the pillows)

 

Plastic Bag Recycling Options

Using a plastic bag drop-off sites ensures the bags will not become tangled in the sorting machinery at the recycling facility.

Other options may exist locally, including branches of chain stores in the surrounding cities (Sun Prairie, Fitchburg, etc.).

The ongoing pandemic may have changed some operations as well.

Store	Address	Phone Number
Capital Center Foods	111 N. Broom Street	608-255-2616
Festival Foods	801 E. Washington Ave	608-511-3887
Pick `n Save	3010 Cahill Main	608-271-2024
Pick `n Save	1312 S. Park Street	608-257-3748
Pick `n Save	2502 Shopko Drive	608-243-1000
Pick `n Save	3650 University Ave	608-231-6935
Pick `n Save	261 Junction Rd	608-829-2020
Pick `n Save	6655 McKee Rd	608-410-7050
HyVee	3801 E. Washington Ave	608-244-4696
HyVee	675 S. Whitney Way	608-277-6735
Kohl's	2602 East Springs Drive	608-246-3022
Kohl's	7401 West Towne Way	608-833-9293
Metcalfe's	726 N. Midvale Blvd	608-238-7612
Metcalfe's	7455 Mineral Point Rd	608-829-3500
Metro Market	6540 Monona Drive	608-222-9575
Trader Joe's	1810 Monroe Street	608-257-1916
Walmart	7202 Watts Rd	608-276-9393
Walmart	4198 Nakoosa Trail	608-241-8808
Woodman's	3817 Milwaukee Street	608-244-6630
Target	4301 Lien Rd	608-244-4527
Target	750 Hilldale Way	608-807-3978
Target	201 Junction Rd	608-827-8800

If you find a store that now accepts plastic bags and film for recycling that's within the City of Madison that's not listed above, let us know.

If you do not see the store you like shopping at on this list, speak with that store's management about adding this service.

(list updated 6/8/2021)

• Online shopping shipment bags (often a thick white or gray bag)
• Mulch bags
• Pet food bags
• Kitty litter bags
• Food wrap
• Softener salt bags
• Wrapping from meat products
• Plastic shrink wrap around electronics
• Thick plastic film from furniture deliveries
• Dark green or black trash bags
• Compostable bioplastic film
• Bubble wrap
• Drawstring bags
  

 

Donate plastic grocery bags

Food pantries and thrift stores may accept plastic bag donations for their operations.

Check with the organization you wish to support before taking bags to them for donation.

 

why won't the city ban plastic bags?

Current state law prohibits municipalities from banning plastic bags.

 

what do I do with plastic film waste now that i can't recycle it in my cart?

Avoid creating this waste whenever possible.

Choose other options, such as reusable bags, which can be anything from canvas totes to reusable mesh produce bags to other reusable, durable containers.

You can also choose paper bags for their ease of recycling. 

If you have plastic bags, look for ways to extend their useful life so they are not single-use, such as drying and reusing freezer or sandwich bags.