Get your complete guide to the Hefty Renew soft plastic recycling program
Most Omaha haulers don't take soft plastics to a facility that can actually process them. But if you're on the right service, there's a way to get every chip bag, snack wrapper, and foam cup out of the landfill — for good.
This free guide covers exactly what to do, what goes in the orange bag, and what doesn't.
What's inside
The Omaha-specific version of this guide — because what you'll find on Hefty's website doesn't always apply here.
The full list of what goes in the orange bag (including some items Hefty's own website says aren't accepted — but are, in Omaha)
What kills the program — and the contamination mistakes people make most
A plain-English explanation of why soft plastics can't just go in your regular recycling cart
The hauler caveat: why this only works with specific waste services — and what to do if yours doesn't qualify
What the bags actually become (hint: it's made right here in Omaha)
Step-by-step setup for businesses and property managers who want to run it at scale
Why Omaha is different
Most cities that run this program send the orange bags to out-of-state facilities. Some even burn the material for energy — which is better than landfill, but not what most people picture when they hear "recycling."
In Omaha, the bags go to First Star Recycling. They shred and compress the material on-site, then turn it into plastic lumber — decking, raised garden beds, trailer flooring, turf installation boards. Products that are sold locally and used around the region.
Your chip bag could end up in someone's backyard in Omaha. That's what true recycling looks like.
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