The City of Fairfax is reminding residents that paper bags belong in the recycling cart, but plastic bags never do.
Plastic bags clog the machinery used to process recyclable materials, resulting in operational problems, facility shutdowns, and safety hazards to employees, the city said.
Residents should recycle right by taking plastic bags back to local retailers to be recycled or placing them in the trash. Retailers with take-back programs can be found at nextrex.com.
More information on recycling programs is available by emailing RefuseRecycling@fairfaxva.gov or calling 703-385-7837.