Do We Really Have to Rinse Out Snack Bags? That Sounds Like a Hassle! (1)
Summary Snack bags are nearly impossible to recycle due to their fused plastic-aluminum layers. Even if rinsed, most facilities can’t process them, with recycling rates under 10%. While rinsing may reduce contamination, it doesn’t make them truly recyclable. So, if recycling isn’t the answer, what’s the alternative? The search continues in the next post. I was standing in my kitchen, holding an empty bag of chips, staring at the oily crumbs left inside. I hesitated. Do I need to rinse this out before throwing it away? I had heard it before—"Snack bags are hard to recycle, but if you wash them first, they have a better chance of being processed properly." It sounded logical. After all, food residue can contaminate recycling batches, right? But then I paused. Wait… does rinsing actually help? Or is it just something we do to feel better about throwing things away? So, I decided to find out. Why Are Snack Bags So Hard to Recycle? Unlike simple plastic bottles, which can be mel...