Candy Wrappers - Stockton Recycles

Not Just One Material

A lot of times, candy wrappers are made with different materials, such as a mix of plastic and aluminum or paper and aluminum. Recycling plants are not able to separate these mixed materials to use them again, so they need to go in the garbage.

100% Aluminum Wrappers OK

If the wrapper is 100% aluminum foil, it’s OK to recycle. Both the inside and outside will look metallic and feel like metal foil, not plastic or paper. These are most commonly found on single chocolates or bars of chocolate (not candy bars). If any part of the wrapper looks or feels like paper or plastic, toss it in the garbage. If you aren’t sure, toss it in the garbage.

Alternative Ways to Recycle

SWEDISH FISH Recycling Program

You can send in any kind of SWEDISH FISH packaging to the SWEDISH FISH Recycling Program, which is a free recycling program through TerraCycle. Find out how to mail in these snack bags.

Did You Know?

The Truth About Candy Wrappers

Candy wrappers are made from a mix of materials, which makes it hard and expensive for facilities to turn them into useful materials, especially because they are not generated in high volumes like plastic bottles or aluminum cans. When possible, try to buy candy packaged in recyclable materials, or better yet, from the bulk bin.