Perhaps you’re beginning to realize just how bad the plastic problem has become and are looking for ways to reduce the effect on the environment. If so, kudos to you! You’re on the right track.
You’ve heard some talk about recycling plastic bags, and you’re wondering if Target is one of the companies that do this. Well, in today’s coverage, we’ll be equipping you with everything you need to know about Target and whether or not they accept plastic bags for recycling. So, does Target recycle plastic bags?
Does Target take plastic bags for recycling?
Yes, Target does take plastic bags for recycling! They have special bins near each store’s entrance where you can deposit your used plastic bags. So, if you have some plastic bags lying around that you want to get rid of, make sure to bring them next time you’re doing some shopping at Target!
Before we dig deep into learning more about Target’s recycling program, it’s worth emphasizing that plastic bags are not fully biodegradable. This means that they will not decompose fully on their own over time.
This is obviously bad news for the environment, as it leads to a build-up of plastic waste. Statistics released by the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) show that an average American family takes home almost 1,500 plastic shopping bags annually. That’s a vast amount of plastic bags in landfills, streets, and, eventually, our oceans!
This is why recycling plastic bags is so important, and we’re glad to see that Target is doing its part. So, if you were thinking of just throwing away your plastic bags, make sure to recycle them instead.
Not only will you be helping the environment, but you’ll also be able to take advantage of Target’s recycling program!
What Does Target Do With Recycled Plastic Bags?
Target uses recycled plastic bags to create new plastic products, such as other bags, storage bins, trash cans, and more. This is a great way to reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills and the amount of new plastic that needs to be produced.
Recycling eliminates the need for using new resources, such as oil, to create plastic products. In fact, the NRDC estimates that recycling just one ton of plastic bags saves the equivalent of 11 barrels of oil!
And whenever you deposit a plastic bag in Target’s recycling bin, you can be confident knowing that the retail company will use it to create new products instead of ending up in a landfill. The recycled plastic then goes into developing new products.
Now, among the various products developed from recycled plastic bags are other plastic bags, which Target now sells as their own. What’s more interesting about the Target bags is they use 40% less plastic than other plastic bags on the market. That’s a great way to save the environment!
You can get the more environmentally-friendly bags at Target stores and other retailers that sell them. Expect to pay $0.99 each, and not the 8 to 10 cents you are used to for other bags. Well, that’s a significant gap, but it’s still a small price to help the environment!
Plus, if you’re among the people who love fancy reusable bags, you’ll be happy to know that Target offers a wide variety of reusable bags for purchase, including the geometrically-patterned tote bag.
And for those who love the Game of Thrones series, you can buy a reusable bag with the Targaryen sigil! However, you may need to pay a little more for these bags, as they can range in price from $1.99 to $29.99. All these bags are durable, reusable, and even more – environmentally friendly!
What Does Target Accept For Recycling?
Target accepts any plastic bag for recycling, as long as it’s clean and dry. This includes plastic grocery bags, dry-cleaning bags, bread bags, produce bags, and more. If you’re unsure whether your item is recyclable or not, check with a Target employee before depositing it in the recycling bin.
While your regular recycling bin at home might work for various things, it’s unfortunate that you can’t use it for plastic bags. That’s because these bags are made of polyethylene, a thin, flexible, and lightweight material that can easily get caught in the gears of recycling machines.
This is why most recycling facilities don’t accept plastic bags, as they can actually cause damage to the machines. However, Target has the right equipment to recycle these bags without damage. So, if you have any plastic bags, bring them to the store and deposit them in the recycling bin.
The retail company will then take care of the recycling process for you. Recycling will yield new products, such as storage bins, trash cans, and more.
What Does Target Accept For Recycling?
Target accepts all plastic bags and other items such as recyclable cans, bottles, glass, small electronics, MP3 players, and more. Hence, if you have any of these items, feel free to bring them to your local Target store for recycling.
Since 2010, Target has been equipped to handle a wide range of recyclable materials. They recycle bins in all their stores to make the process easier for customers. The retail works with all plastic bags, such as dry-cleaning bags, produce bags, and more.
The store also accepts other materials such as recyclable beverage cans, bottles, glass, cellphones, plastic films, and others. But as usual, you can always consult with the staff if you aren’t sure whether what you’re planning to drop off is recyclable or not.
But generally, there really isn’t much that Target doesn’t accept for recycling. So, if you have any items that you want to get rid of, feel free to bring them to your local Target store for recycling.
Does Target Pay For Recycling?
No, Target doesn’t pay cash for recycling. However, it offers a variety of exciting programs that can help you save money while also doing your part for the environment. For instance, Target’s car-seat trade-in event allows you to trade in your old and unused car seats for a 20% off coupon that you can use on select items.
You see, Target won’t give you money for recycling. Instead, programs like these help encourage more people to recycle by giving them an incentive. So it’s a win-win for everyone.
For the car seat trade-in program, you get a 20% discount on things like a new car seat, travel system or stroller, baby home gear, or car seat base. And in return, Target gets to recycle your old car seat and keep it out of landfills. The company has so far recycled 1.7 million car seats from 2016, which translates to 25.4 million pounds of car seat materials recycled in this period.
Target also offers a 5-cent discount for using their recyclable bags and paper bags at their checkout. That’s another way the company encourages customers to switch to more eco-friendly options.
Does Target Recycle Used Batteries?
Unfortunately, used batteries aren’t among the things you can recycle at Target as of 2022. This is because the center currently doesn’t have the capability to recycle these batteries. However, other companies like Best Buy, Staples, Home Depot, and Lowe’s can recycle your used batteries.
While there are many things you can recycle at Target, there are also some things that you can’t recycle. For instance, as mentioned earlier, the center doesn’t accept used batteries for recycling. So, if you have any used batteries at home, you’ll have to take them to other companies that recycle these items.
The good thing is that we already have several options for recycling our used batteries. Hence, it shouldn’t be too difficult to find a company that can recycle them for us.
Does Target Recycle Printer Cartridges?
Yes, Target does recycle printer cartridges. So, if printer ink cartridges are among the clutter you want to get rid of, bring them to your nearby Target recycling kiosk for recycling. It will help reduce the impact of these cartridges on the environment.
Over 500 million printer cartridges are sold out in the United States alone. But unfortunately, 350 million of these end up in landfills. That’s sad, especially considering that these cartridges are of petroleum-based plastic and contain chemicals such as cyclohexanone, butyl urea, and xylene.
When these cartridges end up in landfills, the chemicals can leach into the soil and contaminate the groundwater. That’s why recycling them is essential instead of throwing them away.
Target is just one of the many companies with recycling programs for printer cartridges. Others include Office Depot, Costco Staples, Best Buy, and Walmart. So, if you have used printer cartridges at home, recycle them at any of these stores.
How Long Does It Take For Plastic Bags To Decompose?
Plastic bags can take a decade to a millennium (10-1000 years) to decompose, depending on the type of plastic and the thickness of the film. Even worse, they don’t break fully like other items. Instead, plastic bags photo-degrade, meaning they break down into small pieces over time.
This is a problem because the smaller pieces of plastic can be ingested by animals, which can cause them to choke or starve. That’s why if you care about the environment, you avoid sending plastic bags to the landfill and recycle or reuse them instead.
Unfortunately, a recent report by Science Advances shows that only 9% of all plastic ever produced has been recycled. The rest has either been sent to the landfill or as litter. This is a problem because plastic takes centuries to decompose.
What Can You Do With Empty Plastic Bags?
You can recycle empty plastic bags or repurpose them. That way, you’ll be doing your part in saving the environment. Just ensure that you don’t throw them alongside other items as they will end up in landfills and cause problems.
Here are some ideas on what you can do with your empty plastic bags:
1. Use them as garbage can liners
2. Make a reusable shopping bag
3. Donate them to a local shelter
4. Use them as plant pots
5. Make a storage bin
These are just some of the things you can do with your empty plastic bags. But, of course, if you don’t want to use them in any of these ways, you can always recycle them.
Final Verdict
Although they are essential in many ways, plastic bags are causing severe environmental problems. They are from petroleum, which is a non-renewable resource. They also take centuries to decompose. And when they do, they release toxic chemicals into the soil and water.
The best way to avoid these problems is to recycle or reuse your plastic bags. As for the former, you can always rely on Target. The store has recycling programs for different plastics, including plastic bags.
