News & Events

Bags2Bench Tour

Traveling Bench Highlights the Importance of Properly Recycling Plastic Bags and Wraps

 
Though sustainability efforts are common practice on campuses around the country, few efforts show the direct result of what recycling can do. Starting this fall, select St. Louis area college campuses – including Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis University, University of Missouri-St. Louis, St. Louis Community College-Wildwood, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Maryville University, and Ranken Technical College – are coming together in a region-wide educational campaign designed to demonstrate the true impact of recycling plastic bags and wraps. 
 
 
Why the focus on plastic bags and wraps? When not recycled properly, plastic bags and wraps pose a triple-threat at recycling centers:
•They get tangled with other recycled items, diverting good recyclable items to the landfill
•They jam sorting equipment, causing downtime and even complete plant shutdowns
•They create dangerous conditions for workers as they perform unnecessary maintenance 
 
 
The traveling bench tour will raise awareness amongst students and St. Louis area residents about the importance of proper plastic bags and wraps recycling efforts. Plastic bags and wraps should always be recycled at designated recycling points, like the ones located in front of local grocery stores including Schnucks and Dierbergs. To find a complete listing of recycling points, please visit: https://www.plasticfilmrecycling.org
 
The traveling bench tour is sponsored by OneSTL, a collaboration of individuals and organizations from across the St. Louis region working together to create a more sustainable future. Funding for the traveling bench tour and the Recycle Responsibly project is provided by the St. Louis-Jefferson Solid Waste Management District and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. For more information contact Elysia Musumeci at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
 
 

 
Thanks to the St. Louis-Jefferson Solid Waste Management District and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources for funding this project.