Ziploc Bags Recycle With Plastic Bags Must Be Clean and Dry Food contaminates the recycling process, so rinse and dry your Ziploc bags before recycling. Ways to Reduce Use Reusable Containers Reduce your footprint by reusing storage containers—especially ones made out of glass or aluminum—rather than grabbing a new plastic bag every time. Ways to Reuse Use More Than Once Check out this guide to Easy Ways to Wash, Dry and Store Used Plastic Bags.