Beginning October 15, Gwinnett County will participate in the Hefty® EnergyBag® program to give residents a chance to dispose of hard-to-recycle plastics in a sustainable way.

This new program provides a way to recycle plastics #4 through #7, which includes items like plastic packaging and wraps, plastic dinnerware, foam products, and plastic bags. With the new program, Gwinnett residents are invited to collect these items in Hefty® EnergyBag® orange bags.

Gwinnett residents can drop off their full Hefty® EnergyBag® orange bags at WestRock, located at 384 Maltbie Street in Lawrenceville. Drop-off hours are Monday through Saturday from 7:00am to 2:00pm. Only Hefty® EnergyBag® orange bags will be accepted at this site.

Like plastics placed at the curbside, items placed in an orange bag should be clean and dry, with no food or liquid. Plastics #1 and #2 — which include items like water and soda bottles, milk jugs, juice containers, shampoo bottles, and detergent holders — will continue to be accepted curbside.

The program helps to divert hard-to-recycle plastics from landfills, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, increase efficiency at recycling facilities, and improve the quality of other recycled materials.

“The Hefty® EnergyBag® program takes an important step toward a more circular plastics economy and a more sustainable future,” said Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful Executive Director Schelly Marlatt. “We’re grateful for this chance to reduce the amount of plastics and foam products in our landfills, giving them a new life as they are repurposed into energy resources and other materials.”

Hefty® EnergyBag® orange bags are available for purchase at Kroger stores and online.

For a list of items that can be recycled through the Hefty® EnergyBag® program, visit GCSolidWaste.com, GwinnettCB.org or the Hefty website here.