How-To 4 min read ·

Is Bubble Wrap Recyclable?

Bubble wrap and the air pillows from your packages are recyclable — just not in your curbside cart. They're the same type of plastic film as grocery bags, so they go to a store film-drop-off program. Here's exactly where and how.

Not Curbside — Store Drop-Off Instead

Bubble wrap and air pillows are made of #4 LDPE plastic film. Most curbside programs reject film because it wraps around the spinning rollers at the sorting facility and jams the machinery (recyclers call it a "tangler"). So keep bubble wrap out of your bin — instead take it to the plastic-film drop-off bins that also accept plastic bags.

Where to Drop It Off

Clean, dry bubble wrap and deflated air pillows go in the same store drop-off stream as plastic shopping bags, bread bags and stretch wrap. These bins are usually at the entrance of grocery stores and big retailers, and at many UPS Store locations — there are over 18,000 drop-off sites nationwide. Find one near you with the locator at bagandfilmrecycling.org or the Earth911 search by ZIP code.

How to Prepare It

Make sure the material is clean and dry. Pop or puncture air pillows so they lie flat, peel off any shipping labels and tape, and bundle the bubble wrap with your other clean film. One caution: padded mailers that have a paper lining generally can't go in the film stream (the mixed paper-and-plastic can't be separated) — check the envelope before adding it.

For a plain-English breakdown of what the numbers and arrows mean, see our guide to recycling symbols and numbers.

💡 Key Takeaways

  • Bubble wrap is recyclable — but at store film drop-off, NOT in your curbside bin
  • It goes in the same bin as plastic grocery bags (clean, dry film)
  • Pop air pillows flat and remove labels first
  • Find drop-off sites at bagandfilmrecycling.org or Earth911

Frequently Asked Questions

Is bubble wrap recyclable?

Yes — bubble wrap and air pillows are #4 LDPE film and are recyclable through store plastic-film drop-off programs (the same bins as plastic bags). They are NOT accepted in curbside bins because film tangles sorting machines. See our plastic bags & film recycling guide.

Where can I recycle bubble wrap?

Take it to a plastic-film drop-off bin, usually at the front of grocery stores and big retailers or at UPS Store locations — over 18,000 sites nationwide. Find the nearest one via bagandfilmrecycling.org or the Earth911 locator by ZIP code.

How do I prepare bubble wrap for recycling?

Make sure it's clean and dry, pop or puncture air pillows so they flatten, and remove any shipping labels or tape. Bundle it with your other clean plastic film. Padded mailers with a paper lining don't belong in the film stream.

Can bubble wrap go in the curbside bin?

No. Like plastic bags, thin film wraps around the rollers and jams the sorting equipment at the recycling facility, so haulers ask you to keep it out of the cart and use store drop-off instead.

🔗 Related recycling resources

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