How do grocery stores recycle plastic bags?

So lots of grocery stores now provide bins where shoppers can drop off old plastic bags for “recycling.” Does anyone know exactly how the stores recycle the bags? Do they actually reuse them as bags? Or are they somehow reprocessed for their raw materials, as with bottles, cans, etc.?

The bags are reprocessed and converted to a variety of marketable commodities. Some of the film is recycled into more polyethylene film, some is made into plastic pellets, some is made into a post-consumer resin for use in pipe and other post-conumer plastic products, and alot of it is recycled into plastic composite lumber products (ie. Trex).

Plastic bags are actually becoming a quite popular feedstock because of the low cost to transport the low-mass material, and its exceptional strength.

De La Soul – Shopping Bags

Earth Axxessories Shopper – Tote $29.6 Earth Axxessories Shopper – White

Overland Equipment Special Edition Everyday Shopper $14.4 Compact, lightweight shopping tote that fits into its own little pouch and comfortably inside all Overland Equipment bags or any traveler

JPK Paris Shopper – Tote $105.6 JPK Paris Shopper – Zebra – Black

Rioni Utopia Shoulder Shopper – Tote $128 Rioni-Apricot Shoulder Shopper

Anuschka Large Shopper: Collage – Collage $242 Anuschka-Large Shopper

Anuschka Large Convertible & Expandable Shopper $353 Anuschka-Large Convertible & Expandable Shopper

Fossil Key-Per Shopper – Tote $69.99 Fossil Key-Per Shopper – Orange

R&Em Whipstitch Clo Shopper – Tote $67.99 R&Em Whipstitch Clo Shopper – Black

Furla Amazzone Medium Shopper – Tote $234.99 Furla Amazzone Medium Shopper – Onyx

Fossil Jules Ladybug Shopper – Tote $94.99 Fossil Jules Ladybug Shopper – Camel

Piel Ladies Shopper Bag – Chocolate $112.79 Piel-Genuine Leather Shopper Bag

Piel Ladies Shopper Bag – Red $112.79 Piel-Genuine Leather Shopper Bag

Piel Ladies Shopper Bag – Black $112.79 Piel-Genuine Leather Shopper Bag

Fossil Jules Leather Shopper – Camel $158 Fossil Jules Leather Shopper – Camel

Anuschka Large Shopper: Abstract Classic – Abstract $242 Anuschka-Large Shopper

Anuschka Medium Shopper – Flying Jewels – Flying Jewels $411 Anuschka-Medium Shopper

Furla Brooklyn Medium Shopper – Tote $239.99 Furla Brooklyn Medium Shopper – Timo-Onyx-Anice

Furla Royal Medium Shopper – Tote $289.99 Furla Royal Medium Shopper – Onyx-Latte-Onyx

Three Jewel Shopper Bag – Shoulder Bag $19.99 Three Jewel Shopper Bag – Oranges

Three Picnic Shopper Bag – Shoulder Bag $23.99 Three Picnic Shopper Bag – Purples

Jessica Simpson Luggage Spoonful of Sugar Solid Shopper $63.99 Jessica Simpson Luggage-Shopper Tote

Anuschka Large Multi-Pocket Shopper- Dancing Peacock - $278 Anuschka-LARGE MULTI-POCKET SHOPPER

Walkin Bags Expandable Travel Bag – Black $20 Walkin Bags-Here is our stylish solution whenever you need extra expandable bag while in travel. This durable, lightweight, foldable expandable bag is ideal for last minute shopper, bringing home souvenirs or transferring heavier items from your checked luggage to meet airline weight restrictions. Comes in its built-in zip pouch and easily packable.

Anuschka Large Shopper-Tribal Lily – Tribal Lily $242 Anuschka Large Shopper-Tribal Lily – Tribal Lily

Three Three Team Shopper Bag – Shoulder Bag $23.99 Three Three Team Shopper Bag – Tans

Kathy Van Zeeland Travelware 18 Classic Shopper $47.99 Kathy Van Zeeland Travelware 18″ Classic Shopper

Derek Alexander Triple Compartment North South Shopper $179.2 Derek Alexander Triple Compartment North South Shopper

Wabags Danielle Vintage Shopper Tote – Tote $76 Wabags Danielle Vintage Shopper Tote – Pink

Make Love Not Trash Shoulder Shopper – Tote $65 Make Love Not Trash-MLNT Amazon shoulder shopper

LAUREN by Ralph Lauren Asher Tumbled Shopper – Tote $222.4 LAUREN by Ralph Lauren Asher Tumbled Shopper – Lauren

R&Em Bubble Lamb Clo Shopper – Tote $63.99 R&Em Bubble Lamb Clo Shopper – Chalk

Nine West Handbags Fair and Square Shopper – Tote $63.2 Nine West Handbags-Fair and Square Shopper

B. Makowsky Amelia Pleated Flap Pocket Shopper $238.4 B. Makowsky Amelia Pleated Flap Pocket Shopper

GUESS Travel Panar 17 Shopper Tote – Red $63.99 GUESS Travel Panar 17″ Shopper Tote – Red

GUESS Travel Panar 17 Shopper Tote – Black $63.99 GUESS Travel Panar 17″ Shopper Tote – Black

Sydney Love Stepping Out Shopper – Shoulder Bag $44 Sydney Love Stepping Out Shopper – Shoes

Tignanello On My Tab Pebble Leather Shopper – Honey $95.99 Tignanello On My Tab Pebble Leather Shopper – Honey

ANNA by Anuschka ANNA by Anuschka Large Shopper $137.6 ANNA by Anuschka ANNA by Anuschka Large Shopper

Nine West Handbags 9 Jacquard Shopper – Tote $60 Nine West Handbags 9 Jacquard Shopper – Driftwood

Fossil Key-Per Nylon Shopper – Tote $118 Fossil Key-Per Nylon Shopper – True Navy

Anuschka Large Shopper-Premium Peacock Flower – Premium $465 Anuschka Large Shopper-Premium Peacock Flower – Premium

JPK Paris Emma Lined Shopper – Fuschia $158.4 JPK Paris Emma Lined Shopper – Fuschia

JPK Paris Emma Lined Shopper – Bubble Gum $158.4 JPK Paris Emma Lined Shopper – Bubble Gum

JPK Paris Emma Lined Shopper – Petrol $158.4 JPK Paris Emma Lined Shopper – Petrol

JPK Paris Emma Lined Shopper – White $158.4 JPK Paris Emma Lined Shopper – White

JPK Paris Emma Lined Shopper – Black $158.4 JPK Paris Emma Lined Shopper – Black

Clava Vachetta Small Shopper – Tuscan Black $112 Clava Vachetta Small Shopper – Tuscan Black

Clava Vachetta Small Shopper – Tuscan Tan $112 Clava Vachetta Small Shopper – Tuscan Tan

Clava Vachetta Small Shopper – Tuscan Cafe $112 Clava Vachetta Small Shopper – Tuscan Cafe

Tignanello Simply Stitched Smooth Leather Shopper $115.99 Tignanello-Simply Stitched Smooth Leather Shopper.

Nine West Handbags On Board Shopper – Tote $79.2 Nine West Handbags On Board Shopper – Yellow/Beach

Derek Alexander Open Top Shopper With Braided Strap $152 Derek Alexander Open Top Shopper With Braided Strap

Fossil Jules Key Icon Shopper – Tote $128 Fossil Jules Key Icon Shopper – Embellished

Furla Divide It Textured Leather Medium Shopper – Tote $298 Furla Divide It Textured Leather Medium Shopper – Latte

LAUREN by Ralph Lauren Gardenia Large Shopper – Tote $158.4 LAUREN by Ralph Lauren Gardenia Large Shopper – Floral

Make Love Not Trash MLNT Shopper – Tote $150 Make Love Not Trash-MLNT Black Shopper bag

Anuschka Large Shopper- Tiger in Love – Tiger in Love $465 Anuschka Large Shopper- Tiger in Love – Tiger in Love

Anuschka Double Entry Shopper – Wild Mustang – Wild $332 Anuschka Double Entry Shopper – Wild Mustang – Wild

Anuschka Medium Shopper – Wild Hibiscus Antique – Wild $411 Anuschka Medium Shopper – Wild Hibiscus Antique – Wild

Anuschka Medium Shopper – Wild Mustang – Wild Mustang $411 Anuschka Medium Shopper – Wild Mustang – Wild Mustang