Be a Zero Hero: Recycle That Plastic

It’s true that heroes don’t typically know they’re heroes. But it’s also true that you can set an example for others and change the world with actions that might seem small and insignificant. By recycling your plastic bags and packaging, you’ll contribute to a world with fewer plastics and less waste. You'll be a Zero Hero, and we think that's worthy of wearing a cape!

How Can YOU Be a Zero Hero?

A Zero Hero is someone who steps up for change when it comes to reducing waste. Even small changes that require little effort can make you a Zero Hero!

Here’s one way to become a Zero Hero: In addition to your local curbside or container recycling for items like aluminum cans, plastic water bottles, cardboard and paper, set up a separate recycling bin for plastic packaging in your home. Collect these once-discarded items over time and, when the bin is full, place it in the drop-off bin at one of our stores on your next shopping trip. You can also now recycle flexible plastic packaging from our store brands through our TerraCycle program – it’s FREE and easy! And be sure to check out many more ways to become a Zero Hero.

Where Can You Recycle Everyday Plastic Items?

Wondering where and how to recycle plastic bags and other plastic packaging? You can do so in special Zero Hunger | Zero Waste bins at the front of our stores! Recycle bubble wrap, plastic overwrap from paper towels, cereal box liners, bread bags, dry cleaning bags, produce bags, newspaper sleeves, plastic shipping envelopes, clean sandwich bags and plastic grocery bags.

How Does The Kroger Co. Recycle the Plastic?

Once you drop off plastic bags and packaging in our bins, our stores collect this single-use plastic packaging and combine it with other plastic packaging used in-store. Everything is then sent to be made into composite decking. Over the past three years, the Zero Hunger | Zero Waste program has recycled more than 140 million pounds of plastic. That’s a lot of decking (and a lot of plastic kept from going in the ocean!). You can even get one step ahead by making the switch from single-use plastics to reusable ones, like water bottles and reusable sandwich bags. Thinking it might be tough to remember reusable bags? Become a Zero Hero now and make using them a habit by keeping them in your car.

How Do You Make Sure Items Get Recycled?

Here are some rules of thumb to successful recycling.

Not every item with recycling arrows can be recycled. Number 1 and 2 plastics are most commonly recyclable in curbside programs. Don’t recycle anything smaller than a credit card, including items like straws, bottlecaps, and plastic cutlery. Some plastics, including films, overwraps and grocery bags, can be recycled right in the bins at the front of our stores!

With all materials, check with your local recycling program about what materials are accepted and how to prepare them for recycling. When you recycle these items, make sure they are empty, clean, and dry. Flatten cardboard so that it fits better in your recycling bin or can be bundled together.

There are also many creative alternatives to disposal, like turning coffee pods into seed containers for herbs or repurposing plastic cutlery into kids’ arts and crafts!

What is TerraCycle & How Does it Work?

We’ve partnered with TerraCycle so you can recycle the plastic packaging used for our store brands via mail-in recycling. Our Brands include Kroger®, Simple Truth®, Private Selection® and more! Plus, this recycling program is FREE, easy and you can earn points to be redeemed as donations to charitable organizations. First, simply sign up here. Then, collect Our Brands flexible plastic packaging, including chip bags, shredded cheese bags, frozen food bags, pouches, Deli meat and cheese bags, grain and meat bags, and plastic pet food packaging. Finally, place the packaging in a box, sign in to your TerraCycle account, print your shipping label and ship the box.

How Do TerraCycle & The Kroger Co. Recycle Our Brands Plastic Packaging?

Once collected, the flexible plastic packaging is cleaned and melted into hard plastic that can be remolded to make new recycled products, such as park benches and picnic tables.

Learn more about our commitment to help create communities free from hunger and waste!