The Town of Branford is bumping up its ability to help residents recycle with a new offering at the Transfer Station: recycling for #2 and #4 plastic film materials including carryout bags, packaging, and bubble wrap. As Branford Solid Waste Supervisor, Daniel McGowan says, “Think beyond the bag.”

“It’s air pillows, bubble wrap, case wrappers, shrink wrap; all the stuff you come upon in your daily life,” said McGowan. “We now have a collection point for that.”

McGowan has been seeking a solution for residents who have been asking for better ways to recycle those plastics that have recycling symbols on them; but can’t be added to the current curbside recycling stream.

“I was getting a lot of residents bringing their bags and wanting to do something,”says McGowan. “They see the #2 or #4 recycle symbol on these items, and they want to recycle them.”

McGowan was instrumental in implementing the program by partnering with WRAP (Wrap Recycling Action Program) and the Polywrap Recycling, LLC (Sheboygan, WI) according a press release from Polywrap Recycling. The company’s RACK’n Pak™ recycle bagging situated at the Transfer Station at 747 East Main St., has signage to show residents which items qualify for recycling.

“We started our trial utilizing RACK’n Pak™ in mid-September. At the middle of November we already have filled 6 bags with recyclable materials”, said McGowan.

The service is available now, with a special gathering of state, local and environmental officials planned at the Transfer station on December 5 to formally announce the service.

“We want to let people know that plastic film is a completely recyclable product in Branford; as long as it’s clean and dry an kept separated,” said McGowan.