Reusable Shopping Bags Alternative ways to recycle Put in Garbage Recycle Only Polypropylene (#5 Plastic) Bags Reusable shopping bags can be made from hemp, polypropylene, jute, canvas or cotton. Only the ones made from polypropylene (#5 plastic) can be recycled. Compost Canvas, Jute & Hemp Place canvas, cotton, jute or hemp bags in with composting since they’re made from biodegradable plant fiber. Alternative Ways to Recycle ChicoBag Repurposing Program Send back old, reusable shopping bags (any material, any brand) to ChicoBag’s Zero Waste Program. Mail them to: ChicoBag Company C/O Zero Waste Program 747 Fortress Street Chico, CA 95973 Did You Know? Coastal Land Litter Conventional plastic bags are among the top 12 items found most frequently during coastal cleanups. Plastic bags can take up to 1,000 years to break down, though because they are plastic, they will never degrade completely.