Reusable Shopping Bags Alternative ways to recycle Trash Reusable shopping bags can be made from canvas, cotton, hemp, jute, plastic, or a combination of materials. Please place all types in the trash if they are no longer usable. Consider DonationIf the bag is still in good condition, please donate. Visit Athens’ Material Reuse page for ideas. Alternative Ways to Recycle ChicoBag Repurposing Program Send back old, reusable shopping bags (any material, any brand) to ChicoBag’s Zero Waste Program. Mail them to: ChicoBag Company C/O Zero Waste Program 747 Fortress Street Chico, CA 95973 Did You Know? Coastal Land Litter Conventional plastic bags are among the top 10 items found most frequently during coastal cleanups. Plastic bags can take up to 1,000 years to break down, though because they are plastic, they will never degrade completely.