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How to recycle blister packaging film?

by mary•

How to Recycle Blister Packaging Film?

If you’ve ever grabbed a blister-packaged product—think over-the-counter meds, small electronics, or even that pack of gum from your corner store—you’ve probably wondered what happens to the clear plastic film once you peel the cardboard backing off and toss it in the bin. As a blister packaging film supplier, I get this question all the time. I’ve spent years working with this material, refining how we produce it to be more recyclable, and listening to customers (from small business owners to large retail chains) tell me their frustration with getting blister packaging right when it comes to recycling. The truth is, blister packaging is one of the most commonly used, yet most misunderstood, plastic materials when it comes to recycling. But with the right knowledge, it’s absolutely possible to recycle it properly. Let’s break this down step by step, sharing what I’ve learned from working with this material day in and day out. Blister Packaging Film

First, let’s talk about what blister packaging film actually is, because that’s the foundation of understanding how to recycle it. Most blister film is made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), or more and more these days, RPET (recycled PET). As a supplier, I’ve seen a shift over the last 10 years where we’ve moved from 60% virgin PET film to 40% RPET in our production lines, because we know how important reducing virgin plastic is. PVC was once popular for blister packaging because it’s cheap and flexible, but it’s become less common for recyclers because it can contaminate other plastic streams. PET is the gold standard here—it’s widely accepted in curbside recycling programs, and it’s strong enough to protect products while also being recyclable multiple times. The key point here is: not all blister film is the same, so knowing what type you’re dealing with is the first critical step to recycling it right.

So many people make the mistake of tossing blister packaging film into their curbside bin with other plastics, only to find out later it got rejected. Why? Because most curbside recycling systems are sorted using automated equipment that’s designed for common, rigid plastics like water bottles or milk jugs. Blister film is thin, flexible, and often has small pieces—like leftover product residue or the cardboard backing still attached—that can jam sorting machinery. I’ve had customers tell me they tossed a few blister packs in the bin, only to get a notice from their waste company saying their whole recycling load was rejected. It’s not that curbside recycling is bad at handling blister film—it’s that most programs don’t have the infrastructure to process flexible thin plastics like this yet. That’s why as a supplier, I work closely with local recycling coordinators to share our expertise on what works, and what doesn’t, when it comes to blister film recycling.

Let’s start with the basics: how to prep blister packaging film for recycling. The number one rule here is to remove as much non-plastic material as possible. That means peeling off every last bit of cardboard backing, scraping out any leftover product (like pill blisters, or small electronics components), and wiping off any labels or adhesive. Adhesive from cardboard or labels can gum up recycling equipment, so a quick rinse with warm water and a little dish soap goes a long way. I always tell my customers: if it’s stuck, give it a gentle scrub—any extra effort here saves the recycling center from having to sort out contaminated pieces later. For large businesses that generate a lot of blister film waste, this prep step is even more important because they’re dealing with high volumes; even a small amount of contamination in a 50-pound bin can ruin an entire load.

Next, check your local recycling rules. This is a step I wish more people took the time to do, because recycling is always local. Some cities in the US, for example, like Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, Washington, accept blister film in their curbside recycling programs, while others only accept it at special drop-off centers. Grocery store recycling programs are another great option—many major chains have bins for thin plastic films (including blister film, plastic bags, and wrap) near their entrances. I’ve worked with several grocery chains to place these bins specifically because they’re easily accessible for consumers, and they partner with recycling companies that specialize in processing flexible plastics. The key here is to not assume your local program accepts blister film—check their website, call their customer service line, or ask a staff member at your local store. As a supplier, I also keep an updated list of regions where blister film recycling is available, which I share with all my clients.

What if your local program doesn’t accept blister packaging film? Don’t throw it in the trash just yet. There are other options, especially for businesses that generate large volumes of blister film. I’ve worked with small businesses that collect their used blister film in large, sealed bins, and then partner with specialized plastic recycling companies that process flexible films. These companies use equipment that’s designed to handle thin plastics, removing contaminants and breaking the film down into small pellets that can be used to make new products like garden hoses, plastic lumber, or even new blister packaging film. For consumers, if there’s no local drop-off, some mail-in recycling programs accept blister film—you just package it up and send it to them for processing. I recommend doing a quick online search for “blister packaging film recycling near me” to find these options; there are more than you’d think, especially for businesses that are willing to plan ahead.

Now, let’s talk about common mistakes that people make when recycling blister film, because these mistakes are preventable. The first is mixing blister film with other hard plastics, like water bottles or food containers. As I mentioned earlier, thin flexible film can jam sorting machinery, and it can also get stuck in the equipment, leading to delays or shutdowns. Another mistake is leaving product residue on the film—even a small amount of food or medication can contaminate an entire batch of recycled plastic. I once had a client who tossed hundreds of blister packs with leftover candy inside, and the entire load was rejected because the candy residue left a sticky film on the recycling equipment. The third mistake is mixing PVC blister film with PET film. PVC can’t be recycled with PET, and even a small amount of PVC in a PET batch ruins the whole load. If you’re not sure what type of blister film you have, check the recycling code on the film itself. Most blister film will have a “1” for PET, or a “3” for PVC—if it’s a 3, you’ll need to check if your local program accepts PVC film, or find a specialized recycling center that can handle it.

As a supplier, I also want to talk about how we can make blister packaging more recyclable from the start. That’s why we’ve invested heavily in developing blister film made from 100% post-consumer recycled PET, and we’ve stopped producing PVC film entirely, except for small custom orders. We also design our blister film to be easy to peel away from cardboard backing, and we avoid using adhesives that are hard to remove. When we work with clients, we walk them through how to design their products to be more recyclable—like using larger blister packs that are easier to sort, or avoiding multiple layers of different plastics in the packaging. I believe that the best way to recycle blister film is to make it easier to recycle in the first place, which is why we work closely with every client to understand their needs and our shared goal of reducing plastic waste.

For businesses, there’s an extra step you can take to make recycling blister film part of your sustainability plan: track your waste. I work with several retail and pharmaceutical clients that keep logs of how much blister film they generate each month, where it goes, and what the recycling rate is. This not only helps them meet their sustainability goals, but it also gives us feedback on how we can improve our products. For example, one pharmaceutical client told us that their blister packs were getting rejected because of leftover pill residue, so we worked with them to design a film that’s easier to wipe clean, reducing contamination. That’s the kind of partnership I value as a supplier—working together to solve problems, not just sell a product.

What about the future of blister packaging film recycling? I’m optimistic. More and more recycling programs are investing in equipment that can process flexible plastics, and new technologies are being developed to recycle even mixed plastic films. Last year, we started testing a new process that can recycle blister film into new food-grade packaging, which is a big step forward because previously, most recycled blister film was used for non-food products. As this technology becomes more widespread, recycling blister film will become even easier for everyone. And as more consumers demand sustainable packaging, more businesses are looking for recyclable blister film options, which drives investment in better recycling infrastructure.

Now, let’s wrap this up with a clear, actionable guide for anyone looking to recycle blister packaging film. First, identify the type of blister film (check the recycling code, usually on the bottom of the blister). Second, prep it by removing all cardboard, product residue, and adhesives, then give it a quick rinse. Third, check your local recycling program’s rules to see if they accept it curbside, or find a drop-off location. Fourth, if you’re a business generating large volumes, partner with a specialized plastic recycling company, and work with your blister film supplier to design more recyclable packaging. Finally, avoid common mistakes like mixing it with hard plastics, or not removing residue, which can ruin entire recycling batches.

Blister Packaging Film If you’re a business looking to switch to more recyclable blister packaging film, or if you’re interested in discussing how to implement a blister film recycling program for your company, I’d love to connect. As a blister packaging film supplier, I have the expertise to help you find the right solutions for your needs, from product design to waste management strategies.

References

  1. American Plastics Council. (2022). Recycling of Flexible Plastic Films: Best Practices for Consumers and Businesses.
  2. Association of Plastic Recyclers. (2023). Technical Guidelines for Recycling PET and PVC Blister Packaging.
  3. National Solid Waste Management Association. (2022). Local Recycling Program Acceptance of Flexible Packaging Materials.
  4. Sustainable Packaging Coalition. (2023). Blister Packaging Design for Recyclability: Industry Standards and Recommendations.

Wenzhou Fuya New Material Technology Co., Ltd.
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