This proves once again what a hassle it is to recycle plastic bags and foam takeout ware such as coffee cups and 'clamshells'. There's not much value in recycling these items and in some cases they can cause more harm than good. Plastic bags can be trouble for recycling processors because they can jam up certain machinery and because the flimsy material “blinds the optics” of certain trash-sorting machines. EPS foam foodware is mostly air and often contaminated with food so there are very limited places that will accept it in the United States.
Make every day Earth Day. REFUSE plastics and REDUCE your plastic footprint. REUSE shopping bags, water bottles, etc. RECYCLE as the last step. SUPPORT plastic litter source reductions such as checkout bag bans, foam food ware bans and bottle recycling bills.