The “Orange Bag” Collection Program

About The Orange Bag Program

Originally launched by Hefty® as the Hefty EnergyBag® program, the initiative evolved to the Hefty ReNew® program — reflecting a positive shift toward true material recovery which was always First Star’s vision.

At First Star Recycling, the program (known simply as the “orange bag” program) offers residential and commercial customers a convenient way to divert hard-to-recycle plastics from the landfill.

When the materials are collected in orange bags at our collection points and by our hauling partners, they are taken to our Omaha processing division — Solutions Plastic Lumber, where they are transformed into durable, high-quality plastic lumber products.

By processing locally, you can be sure these plastics are recycled, not burned or shipped elsewhere, and given new life to materials that would otherwise go to waste.

While as of June 2027, Hefty will no longer be sponsoring the Renew program, at First Star, we will still be accepting orange bags to feed our ReClaim™ plastic lumber manufacturing.

For more information on First Star Recycling’s plastic innovations, you can read about it on the Solutions Plastic website.

Does Your Orange Bag Go to First Star Recycling?

Your orange bags are recovered by First Star Recycling — and become new plastic products — if the are collected as follows:

  • By Omaha’s Wasteline curbside recycling program (serviced by Waste Management).

  • By First Star Recycling at our Omaha facility’s on-site recycling collection

  • At Drop-off recycling sites in Omaha or Lincoln serviced by First Star Recycling.

  • By Haulers in the Omaha metro or Lincoln areas that deliver materials to First Star facilities.

  • Commercial businesses enrolled in First Star’s commercial recycling program. See more here.

The list of participating city’s is available here. Keep in mind, not all orange bags make their way to First Star Recycling and Solutions Plastic. Some haulers deliver to other facilities. If you are unsure if First Star recovers your recyclables and orange bags and would like to verify, please contact us.

  • Below are the simple steps to collect hard-to-recycle plastics in the orange bag and take another step towards a zero waste household!

  • We accept the materials in any brand of orange bag. You will be able to purchase the Hefty ReNew™ brand for a limited time until they discontinue making the bags by June 2027. 

  • Fill the orange bag with plastics that are hard to recycle. If you have any questions about what you can include in the bags, please click here to find the list of acceptable items.

  • Once filled, place the orange bags directly inside the recycling bin at the curb or approved drop-off location.

We are proud to be associated with Keep Omaha Beautiful, our partner in educating the community about waste management, diversion and the circular economy.