Can Plastic & Stretch Wrap for Commercial & Industrial Applications Be Recycled?

Plastic wrap is used in nearly every commercial and industrial operation. But once it’s served its purpose, what happens next? Can plastic wrap be recycled? And can stretch wrap be recycled efficiently in high-volume operations? In this post, we’ll discuss how the stretch wrap recycling process works and how companies like MMP Corp are helping reduce plastic waste with sustainable stretch film options.

Can Plastic Wrap Be Recycled?

Yes, but it depends on the type of plastic wrap and how it’s used. Industrial plastic wrap, which is typically made from low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and marked as plastic #4, is technically recyclable. This includes many of the hand and machine stretch films used to wrap pallets and protect goods during transport.

However, plastic wrap contaminated with food residue, adhesives, or mixed materials like labels can complicate the recycling process. Consumer-grade wrap, like cling film for food packaging, often ends up in general waste due to high contamination levels and limited recycling infrastructure. On the other hand, commercial stretch wrap that’s been kept clean and separate from other waste has a much higher chance of being recycled successfully.

Can Stretch Wrap Be Recycled?

Clean, uncontaminated stretch wrap made from LDPE can be collected, processed, and turned into new materials. In fact, many warehouses already have programs to separate used film for recycling. The key factor in recycling stretch wrap is to integrate the process of segregating and storing used film in a way that prevents contamination in your operations. Doing so makes it possible for recyclers to turn used film into a new product, including stretch wrap.

How Is Plastic Wrap Recycled?

The recycling process involves several steps:

• Collection and sorting: Clean used plastic wrap is separated from other waste.

• Cleaning: The wrap is washed to remove dirt, adhesives, or residues.

• Pelletizing: The plastic is shredded and melted down into pellets.

• Remanufacturing: These pellets are then used to produce new products, such as garbage bags, composite lumber, decking, or stretch film rolls.

What are the Main Types of Recycled Resin?

Recyclers often use two main types of recycled resin:

Post-Industrial Recycled (PIR) Resin: Made from production scraps from the plastic manufacturing process, like edge trims, production offcuts, or defective rolls, which are reprocessed internally and reintegrated into new film rolls. This closed-loop system minimizes resource loss and helps maintain product consistency. PIR is clean and ideal for high-performance applications.

Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) Resin: Sourced from consumer-used plastic that’s been cleaned, sorted, and reprocessed into usable material. PCR is blended into select film lines to reduce the use of virgin plastic and supports circular economy goals, helping reduce landfill waste.

MMP Corp integrated PIR and PCR into its sustainable film offerings, allowing businesses to simultaneously meet performance and environmental goals.

Challenges in Recycling Plastic Wrap

Even though it’s technically recyclable, plastic wrap presents a few challenges, including:

• Logistics: In busy warehouses, separating film from general waste can be time-consuming without a plan in place.

• Contamination: Dirt, oils, adhesives, and mixed materials lower the recyclability of plastic film.

• Infrastructure: Not all regions have the recycling facilities needed to process soft plastics like LDPE stretch wrap.

Despite these barriers, more companies are investing in stretch wrap recycling as part of their environmental initiatives, and suppliers like MMP Corp are helping lead the way.

Choose MMP Corp for Sustainable Plastic Wrap

MMP Corp is a leader in plastic film innovation, offering high-quality stretch films designed for performance and sustainability. We offer plastic wrap products made with post-industrial and post-consumer recycled resins, helping clients reduce their environmental impact. 

MMP Corp’s research and quality control teams carefully monitor resin integration to ensure that films containing recycled content meet the same high standards of strength, stretchability, and puncture resistance as those made with virgin materials. Customization options are available in various gauges and widths to address various industrial applications. 

Sourcing recycled-content film from MMP Corp supports ESG goals, helping companies align with internal environmental targets and reporting frameworks. MMP Corp’s M stretch sustainable plastic wrap for industrial and consumer use is available in different varieties to suit every application. Explore our range of eco-conscious high-performance stretch films. Contact us today.

Reference:

• LDPE Recycling. Retrieved on 24 July 2025 from https://www.businesswaste.co.uk/your-waste/plastic-recycling/ldpe-recycling/