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The Park Slope Food Coop takes bags, though you have to show up at one of their special recycling days. Here's some info from their site:

Most plastics that NYC does NOT accept can be recycled at the Coop.

Bring clean, dry plastic to the Coop's sidewalk during monthly recycling hours. We close up promptly. So, the final drop offs will be accepted 10 minutes prior to our end time to allow for sorting:

2nd Sat., noon-2 PM
3rd Thur., 7 PM-9 PM
Last Sun., 10 AM-noon.

We accept...

* #1 & # 2 (where mouth is wide or wider than the body, meaning NOT bottles) plastics
* #4 plastics
* #5 plastic tubs, cups & specifically marked lids and caps (discard any with paper labels)
* Plastic film

http://foodcoop.com/go.php?page=readmore&nugget=7&PHPSESSID=55b934378cddd297d9bb028bee0eaee2

Someone said recently that Whole Foods takes them.

If they are plastic grocery bags (or a similar size), you might try your local food bank, especially smaller less-well-funded ones. Places that give away food often need bags to put it in.

Whole Foods usually has bins for recycling plastic bags, though I actually collect them from the neighbors and use them to pick up after my doggies. It's not as pleasant a fate for the bags, but still counts as reuse!

In SF, I know some safeways take them, and in Emeryville, Ikea does too. Where else in SF have you seen plastic bag recycling?

I saw a DIY someplace on the internet, that has you take plastic bags, do some sort of ironing tricks, and it makes a fabric that you can make a wallet, etc, out of. Just google Plastic Bag Craft or Plastic Bag Fabric.

Here's some examples:

http://www.craftzine.com/blog/archive/2007/08/plastic_bag_crafts.html
http://etsylabs.blogspot.com/2007/05/long-overdue-fusing-plastic-bag.html

I know here in WI, I've seen that Wal-Marts collect them too.

In California, I know Ralphs and Vons both have recycling bins for plastic bags. They're usually located in the front.

I wonder about the Food Emporium plastic bag drop. It's located right next to the bottle deposit and I think (because I hate FE) that they probably just throw all those bags in the garbage. FE has no problem using multiple plastic bags for every purchase you make, no matter how small or light weight. Everything goes in a minimum of 2 plastic bags. I just don't see them as "green" conscience.

In NYC, the Whole Foods in Union Square has a small recycling kiosk at the exit. Aside from the usual bottles and cans, they take plastic bags, along with batteries. I'm not sure about the new Bowery store, but I'm pretty sure the Columbus Circle one doesn't have the kiosk.

There is a container to stuff used plastic bags in at the Gourmet Garage on 7th Ave in the West Village too.

Eliza, Amanda and anyone else in Brooklyn,
I have a published iCal of the Coop's recycling schedule -- it's three different days, three times a month, and I find it otherwise impossible to know when -- email me at guidoo at mac dot com if you want to subscribe and I'll send you the link.

It takes place outside the coop, and you don't have to be a member. It's very heartening to see how many people bring their cleaned yogurt containers for recycling!

jillian, that's intriguing . . . thx!

Adding on to SisterRae's comment, a lot of NY dog runs have containers near the entrances where you can put bags, and they get used up very quickly!

give them to your friends with dogs. We are forever running out of bags for our furry friend's walks about the city.

here's my example of the fusing plastic bags...

http://aestheticonion.blogspot.com/2007/08/fused-plastic-lunchbag.html

At the Whole Foods in White Plains, there's a container for them. They also give you 5¢ off your purchase for each bag you bring and reuse. I have a fabric holder for reusing them for kitty litter etc.

I always wanted to use them as trash liners but my trashcan was too big. I like this plastic bag trash can/holder.

http://www.organizedliving.com/product/kitchen/trash cans/door mount-in cabinet/simplehuman cabinet mount trash system.do

I use them for trash, especially in bedroom and bathroom. I also use them for toting shoes so the rest of the stuff in my tote bag doesn't get dirty.

You can also use them as packing material if you're shipping a small breakable object or anything you don't want getting jostled around.

nearly every major supermarket in my area takes them because they are then sold to recyclers for a profit.

All of the supermarkets in my area (eastern Mass.) have plastic bag recycling bins. They usually place them near the bottle/can redemption machines.

I agree with the trashcan line comments. I don't know why anyone would need to recycle them if they use them as liners (and shoe bags, which I do as well).

Recycling plastic shopping bags isn't an issue if you don't cycle them in the first place. Go to a site like reusablebags.com and buy reusable bags. If you want to feel really smug, buy reusable bags made from recycled materials.

Not applicable in this situation but http://environment.newscientist.com/channel/earth/dn12141-giant-microwave-turns-plastic-back-to-oil.html is about a company who made this thing similar to a microwave that can turn plastic and rubber back into diesel oil and combustable gas. Eventually maybe there will be a recycling sent to these type deal.