Hefty® EnergyBag® Program

The Hefty® EnergyBag® program provides participating residents a new way to collect plastics that are not accepted as loose items in the blue recycle cart – like plastic bags, plastic films and dairy tubs – and converts them into a valuable energy resource rather than sending them to the landfill. Remember no metal, paper, or #1 plastics are accepted in the EnergyBag.

To participate in the Hefty EnergyBag program, please purchase the Hefty EnergyBags at any Albertsons, Boise Co-op, or Target location in Boise. When you fill your EnergyBags, please tie them tightly closed, and place them inside your blue recycling cart.

Materials collected in the Hefty® EnergyBag™ orange bags will be sent to facilities to convert these hard to recycle plastics into a valuable energy resource.

Program Updates

To date, Boise has collected over 800 tons of full Hefty EnergyBags.

A comprehensive Life Cycle Analysis was performed to better understand the environmental favorability of using the collected EnergyBag materials in a variety of ways compared to sending the same material to the landfill. From this analysis, we learned that utilizing the EnergyBag materials as an energy source that replaces coal at cement manufacturing facilities has a significant environmental benefit over the other options explored. With this knowledge, the EnergyBag partners determined the EnergyBags will continue to be used as a coal offset at cement manufacturing facilities and as a material resource for pyrolysis technologies like Renewlogy.

As the Hefty EnergyBag program continues to evolve in the City of Boise, the EnergyBag partners will seek to support emerging technologies that keep plastics out of the landfill.

Plastics Sorting | Video & Guides

We understand that sorting your plastics can be confusing. Below, you'll find a video guiding you through how to sort your plastics, as well as downloadable guides to keep at home and our Digital Collection Guide.

SEE DIGITAL sorting GUIDE

Home Reference Guide

This is a basic guide is designed for residents who prefer to quickly check where items go and will show you where to put common paper, plastic, metal and other items.

DOWNLOAD GUIDE

GUIA DE REFERENCIA (SPANISH VERSION)

Detailed Plastics Guide

This is a more advanced guide designed for residents who prefer to go in depth with different plastic types and put more plastic items into the recycle cart and Hefty® EnergyBag® orange bag.

DOWNLOAD GUIDE

TU GUIA MANEJAR PLASTICOS (SPANISH VERSION)

Need More Bags?

Bags are now available for sale at all Albertsons, Target and Boise Co-op locations for purchase.

Learn More About Hefty® EnergyBag® Program

Boise is one of a handful of communities across the U.S. participating in this recovery program. Although more than 98 percent of households participate in the curbside recycling program, many plastics would have otherwise been thrown in the trash cart. With the help of community partner, Happy Family Brands, the City of Boise can now expand the types and amount of plastic that is collected and diverted from the landfill to be beneficially used.

Send a Message to Curb It

Please complete the form below and a member of our Curb It team will follow up with you.

Please note: If you have a question about your bill, please contact Utility Billing Services.