NEW YORK STATE — Most New Yorkers (83 percent) believe that recycling is important. And while residents are recycling many items “right,” (such as metal cans and milk jugs), there are certain items that are commonly tossed in the recycling bin that don’t belong. Below are the top five items that are most confusing to New York State residents.

5. Plastic pouches 

Many plastic food and beverage pouches (such as those used for yogurt, juice, applesauce and baby food) are not widely recyclable. This is because they are too soiled with food and difficult to sort from other recyclables due to their flexible nature. Likewise, instant soup and instant rice bags are often made from layers of mixed plastic and aluminum materials, which makes them difficult to recycle. It is best to avoid them or toss them in the garbage.

4. Receipts 

Even though they are made of paper, receipts do not belong in your recycling bin. This is because most receipts are made with thermal paper containing chemical compounds that affect their ability to be made into new products. The best way to dispose of receipts is in the trash, but if you’re able to, next time skip the slip and if possible, ask for a digital receipt.

3. Batteries, electronics, cell phones

Although recyclable, batteries, electronics and cell phones do not belong in the regular recycling bin. They can cause dangerous fires in trucks and facilities so recycling these items requires specialized equipment. 

To recycle batteries, electronics, and cell phones “right,” use the drop-off site locator tools below:

www.recyclerightny.org/electronics-recycling-tool

www.call2recycle.org

Additionally, service suppliers offering cell phones for sale are required to provide free recycling of cell phones. 

2. Plastic bags 

Plastic bags are recyclable, but they DO NOT belong in your regular recycling bin. Why not? They are “tanglers”: things that can wrap around equipment at a recycling processing facility, putting both the workers and machinery at risk. Other tanglers include clothing, ropes, strands of lights, hoses, wires, chains, blinds, cords and metal hangers.

1. Ceramics and drinking glasses 

Did you know that certain forms of glass are not widely accepted in regular recycling programs? Because of the varying makeup of different types of glass, items such as wine glasses, assorted drinking cups, mirrors, light bulbs and ceramics (whether broken or whole) cannot be recycled. Check your local recycling guidelines to see which types of glass items are accepted in your local program.