Diaper Packaging Curbside Trash Curbside Recycling Diaper Packaging (plastic film*), may be placed in your recyclables cart ONLY if clean, dry, and tied** in a larger clear plastic bag with other similar film plastics, for the Republic Services area in West Contra Costa County. (Note: El Cerrito no longer accepts any plastic bags or film in their recycables cart, so they must go in the trash cart.) Loose plastic packaging are not accepted in curbside recycling as they can cause a lot of problems such as getting stuck in the sorting equipment. Loose plastic packaging must be placed in your curbside trash cart. You can also recycle your plastic bags, film and wrap at participating locations by bringing them to a drop-off location. Find your closest drop-off location. *Plastic Film – also known as plastic film packaging – is soft, flexible polyethylene (PE) packaging such as grocery, bread, zip-top and dry cleaning bags. It’s also the wrap around many products including paper plates, napkins, bathroom tissue, diapers, and more. **Self-tie the larger outside plastic bag. Must Be Dry and Clean If diaper packaging is wet or dirty, it cannot be recycled because it would contaminate the plastic recycling. Make sure to put it in the trash. Ways to Reduce Switch to Cloth Diapers Consider switching to cloth diapers, which are more eco-friendly than disposable ones because you can wash and reuse them.
