Film plastics
Film plastic items are typically thin, pliable sheets or collapsible tubes made of low density polyethylene (LDPE, #4). Another specialty film, called shrink wrap, is designed to stretch and is called linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), likewise a #4. Sometimes tackiness agents are added to LLDPE to make them stick together, however this alone does not hinder their recyclability. Some floating row covers and sun screens or shades are considered films, but typically are spun polyolefin or other custom formulated plastic, and hence may not be recovered in agricultural film recycling programs.
Common LDPE plastic products are bags, mulch, greenhouse covers, hay nets and silage bags. Drip irrigation tubes are also LDPE.
Some plastic (grocery) bags are not LDPE but rather high density polyethylene (HDPE, #2). You can tell if a film is HDPE if it makes excessive noise when shaken vigorously. Some grocery stores and department stores have a recycling program for grocery bags, such as Wegman’s and Walmart for example.
To view or download more photos of film plastic items, see the “Further Information” drop-down menu.