Recycling Pallet Stretch Wrap

MMP Corporation
Jul 31, 2025
3 min read

Pallet stretch wrap is recycled into LLDPE pellets

Many companies are becoming environmentally aware and are taking an active approach to recycling and reusing the materials from their operations. For shipping and warehousing companies, this includes the recycling of stretch pallet wrap. This material has been a significant part of warehousing and shipping operations since the late 70’s.

However, recycling stretch wrap involves a process, with the most significant problem being the contamination of the material. We'll offer a comprehensive explanation of the process involved in recycling stretch pallet wrap.

What is Plastic Stretch Pallet Wrap Made From?

Pallet wrap used worldwide is generally made from linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE). This type of plastic is marked with recycling code #4 and is entirely recyclable. However, its physical properties of being a thin and stretchy material make it more challenging to handle, transport and process than rigid plastics. The most commonly recycled plastic in the world is polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Many recycling operations are set up to recycle PET, meaning a warehousing company must locate a recycler that handles LLDPE and recycles it separately, using a different process.

Ensure Waste Pallet Wrap is Clean and Dry

Another significant problem in recycling plastic stretch film is contamination. One of the primary purposes of plastic wrap is to act as a barrier against moisture and dirt, yet the wrap has to be reasonably clean to be recycled efficiently. Moisture can be dried out without too much trouble.

However, dirt, grease and other impurities can be another problem. Your local commercial recycling company can reject the contaminated wrap. The best bet, if you want to start recycling your pallet wrap, is to meet with the recycler and view both acceptable and unacceptable stretch wrap samples. You can take photos of the samples and post them near your recycling bin for your employees to refer to. This will help eliminate the time-consuming problem of pallet wrap continually being rejected by the recycler.

Thin wraps can also be problematic as they jam the recycler's machinery. Most pallet stretch wrap is between 8 and 30 microns thick. However, pre-stretched pallet wrap is thinner than regular pallet wrap. You should check with your recycler to find out the acceptable thicknesses of LLDPE before sending your material for recycling.

Segregate Pallet Wrap from Other Plastic Waste

As mentioned above, one of the challenges of recycling LLDPE is that it differs from the composition of most of the world's recycled plastic. This means it has to be separated and collected in a different storage area from other plastic recyclables at your warehouse or shipping depot.

Many companies that recycle a lot of LLDPE have invested in a machine specifically designed to bale stretch wrap into easily manageable bales that save warehouse space.

Consider the Convenience of Commercial Recyclers

Large warehouse and shipping companies that generate a lot of LLDPE waste will undoubtedly use a commercial recycler that can schedule regular pickups at your location.

The recycler collects the material and reduces it to a substrate, which is then sent to a compounder. The compounder further sorts, cleans and dries the material.

Next, the compounder turns the material into LLDPE pellets, which are converted into post-industrial recycled (PIR) plastic stretch film. The specific composition and characteristics of LLDPE mean it will most likely always be used to produce stretch film instead of other plastic products.

A worker collects pallet stretch wrap for recycling

Benefits of Reducing Your Company's Environmental Impact

If your company heavily utilizes pallet wrap, introducing a recycling program for the company's LLDPE waste can save valuable worker hours, free up warehouse space, and provide your company with a positive, eco-friendly image.

With the growing adoption of company recycling policies within the warehousing and shipping industry, companies that cycle through stretch pallet wrap may soon be using the same material as new rolls of pallet wrap. This will signify establishing a perfect recycling circle and a success for the environment.

Use M Wrap from MMP Corporation

MMP Corporation is introducing our new post-consumer recycled (PCR) film as a significant step in reducing the amount of plastic waste in the world. Learn more about MMP Corporation's eco-friendly packaging solutions and complete product line of industrial and consumer stretch film wrap products by contacting us.

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