Yes. The answer to the question “Can VCI film be recycled?” is absolutely yes. Most ZERUST®/EXCOR® VCI films are manufactured from polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), which are fully recyclable plastic materials. When properly collected and processed, these films can be fed into standard PE or PP recycling streams and converted into new plastic products.
Recycling VCI film helps companies reduce landfill waste, improve sustainability metrics, and support responsible material management programs. ZERUST® designs many of its VCI packaging films specifically to be compatible with common recycling processes used around the world.
Discover recyclable ZERUST® VCI packaging films
Explore corrosion protection films designed for performance and sustainability, including options compatible with standard PE and PP recycling streams.
Which types of VCI film can you recycle?
To fully understand “Can VCI film be recycled?”, it is important to know which materials qualify for recycling. ZERUST® VCI films made from PE or PP are recyclable through facilities that accept these plastic types. This includes many of the most commonly used VCI bags, sheets, and liners.
Recycling compatibility depends on keeping the material clean and free from excessive contamination. Used VCI film that is dry and free from heavy oils or debris is the easiest to recycle and delivers the best environmental outcome.
How do you prepare used VCI film for recycling?
Customers often ask whether they can recycle used VCI film. You can recycle it successfully when you handle the material correctly.
To improve recycling success, follow these best practices:
- Collect used VCI film separately from general trash
- Keep the material clean and dry
- Remove excess tape, labels, or foreign materials
- Avoid mixing different plastic types
- Store collected film in designated recycling containers
Proper preparation ensures that recycling facilities can process the material efficiently and return it to productive use.
Can you recycle contaminated VCI film?
Customers often ask whether they can recycle VCI film that has been exposed to oils or dirt. You can usually recycle lightly used VCI film, but heavy contamination can limit recycling options.
If the material contains large amounts of oil, grease, or metal residue, you may need to clean it before recycling. When recycling is not practical, you can also safely incinerate PE and PP films in approved waste-to-energy systems.
ZERUST® encourages customers to minimize contamination whenever possible to maximize recycling potential.
What is the ZeCycle program?
To further support sustainability, ZERUST® partnered with RecycleMax® to create the ZeCycle closed-loop recycling program. As a result, this program directly answers the question “Can VCI film be recycled?” by giving businesses a structured and easy-to-use recycling solution.
Through ZeCycle, companies collect used ZERUST® VCI packaging and return it for processing. The recovered material is then transformed into new post-consumer recycled (PCR) VCI film, such as ZERUST® ICT®510-PCR30 film.
ZeCycle helps organizations:
- Reduce plastic waste sent to landfills
- Lower carbon footprints
- Meet corporate sustainability goals
- Support a circular economy
- Turn used packaging into new protective VCI film
This closed-loop system shows how you can responsibly manage industrial packaging from first use to final reuse.
Turn used VCI film into new packaging with ZeCycle
Learn how the ZERUST® ZeCycle program recovers used VCI packaging and transforms it into post-consumer recycled VCI film to support your sustainability goals.
Why recycling VCI film supports sustainability goals
Companies focused on environmental responsibility must understand whether they can recycle VCI film. Recycling VCI packaging delivers measurable benefits:
- Conserves raw materials
- Reduces energy consumption
- Lowers greenhouse gas emissions
- Minimizes disposal costs
- Improves corporate sustainability reporting
By choosing recyclable ZERUST® VCI films and participating in programs like ZeCycle, businesses actively contribute to long-term environmental preservation without sacrificing corrosion protection performance.
What should companies do to start recycling VCI film?
If you are still asking “Can VCI film be recycled?” within your operation, the best next step is to evaluate your current waste stream and recycling options.
ZERUST® corrosion experts can help you:
- Identify which films in your facility are recyclable
- Set up collection and storage systems
- Implement best practices for clean material handling
- Enroll in the ZeCycle closed-loop recycling program
Taking these steps makes recycling simple, practical, and highly effective.
Need help recycling your VCI packaging?
ZERUST® provides guidance and programs to help customers manage used VCI film responsibly. Contact a ZERUST® corrosion specialist to learn how to integrate recycling into your packaging process and support your sustainability objectives.
Need selecting the right product?
ZERUST® corrosion experts can help you choose recyclable packaging, set up collection programs, and implement sustainable VCI solutions for your operation.
ICT®510-C Ferrous VCI Film provides cost-effective and targeted protection against rust damage for ferrous metals, such as steel, iron, and cast iron in shipping, storage, and work-in-progress.
ICT®510-C VCI Multimetal Film provides cost-effective and versatile protection against rust and corrosion damage for ferrous and non-ferrous metals in shipping, storage, and work-in-progress.
ICT®510-C Non-ferrous VCI Film provides cost-effective and versatile protection against corrosion damage for non-ferrous metals such as aluminum, copper, brass, and bronze, in shipping, storage, and work-in-progress.
ICT®510-C VCI Film provides cost-effective and versatile protection against rust and corrosion damage for metal assets in shipping and storage. Additionally, it’s available in ferrous, non-ferrous, and multimetal formulations, as well as various-sized rolls, sheets, tubing, and bags.
ICT®510-C VCI Weapon Bags are specifically designed to protect weapons, including handguns, rifles, as well as accessories, against corrosion, dust, sand, and humidity damage in shipping, storage, and between operations.
ICT® VCI Poly Bags provide convenient and proven protection against corrosion damage for metals in shipping and storage. In addition, they are available in ferrous, non-ferrous, anti-tarnish, and multimetal protection types and various zipper, flat, and gusseted sizes.
