Cereal Bags and Box Liners

Trash Plastic Bags & Film

Cereal bags and box liners are considered plastic film.

Plastic film includes wraps, bags, and flexible packaging. It is not ideal for curbside recycling collection because it can jam sorting equipment resulting in mechanical issues.

To ensure cereal bags and box liners get recycled, bring it to a participating plastic film drop-off location. Empty bags, clean out any residue, and remove tape; only items that are clean and dry will be accepted.  Not all types of plastic film are accepted at all locations. Confirm acceptability acceptability prior to drop-off.

If you are not planning on taking cereal bags and box liners to a dedicated plastic film recycling location, then please place them in the trash container. 

cereal bread crumbs

Empty the Crumbs

When recycling plastic bags, they should always be clean of all food, so dump the crumbs out of your cereal bag before recycling.

Ways to Reuse

dipped strawberries on wax paper

Wax Paper Substitute

Plastic cereal bags work well as wax paper for tasks like separating burger patties, rolling out cookie dough or pie crusts, and drying chocolate-dipped candies.