Northeast News
April 17, 2012

To celebrate Earth Day, the City of Kansas City, Mo., will co-host a ”Plastic Bag-Free Day” event on Friday, April 20, at a variety of city facilities. The Environmental Protection Agency – Region 7 and Batliner Recycling will also participate in this event.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, plastic bags present a major threat to the environment. Three of the top five marine debris items collected through the National Marine Debris Monitoring Program include plastic bottles, plastic bags and aluminum cans. All three items can easily be recycled.

On Friday, the city will be tackling the issue of plastic bags and is inviting residents to bring their plastic bags from 8 a.m. to noon to one of four designated facilities to exchange the bags for a reusable shopping bag, while supplies last. An outdoor “drop-off” area will be available at each participating location.

Participating locations include:
Water Department – 4800 E. 63rd St.
Health Department – 2400 Troost Ave.
City Hall – 414 E. 12th St.
Aviation Department – 601 Brasilia Ave.

In addition, residents may also recycle their plastic bags at the city’s three recycling centers on April 20 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., in exchange for a free, reusable shopping bag, while supplies last.

The recycling center locations include:
Three Trails Recycling Center – 9051 Hillcrest Road
Environmental Campus Recycling Center – 4707 Deramus Ave.
Metro North Recycling Center – 400 N.W. Barry Road

Collected plastic bags will be taken to Batliner Recycling to be baled and shipped to several different plastics recyclers. They will then be processed and turned into pellets/resin for composite lumber, new grocery bags, containers or trash liners.

Most large retail or grocery stores, such as Price Chopper, Hy-Vee, Wal-Mart and Target, provide bins for customers to recycle used plastic bags. In addition, many stores offer small discounts to customers who use reusable grocery bags. Residents are encouraged to call their local retail or grocery store to find out if they offer any such incentives.