A recycling drive planned for next Saturday will include a different kind of recycling along with the usual paper and plastic.

Participants are asked to bring nonperishable food — perhaps recycled impulse buys from the grocery store or even new purchases — to the recycling drive as part of a partnership with the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore.

“This year, we’re excited to be partnering with the food bank,” said Wayne Jones, litter control coordinator for the city. “This time of year, after the holidays, the food bank suffers.”

Jones said Norfolk partnered with the foodbank on a similar drive and had success.

“Norfolk partnered with them and found it to be very successful,” Jones said. “We learned from our neighbors that it worked.”

The food drive will take place along with the recycling drive that the city ordinarily holds in the spring. It will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 16 at Lowe’s, 1216 N. Main St.

Materials that can be recycled include tires — for automobiles and light trucks, no greater than 22 inches inside diameter with no rims — electronics, paper, household glass and plastic bottles Nos. 1 and 2, batteries, steel, tin and aluminum cans, cardboard, furniture, flat screen televisions, cellphones, gently used clothing, computers, cordless tools, plastic bags and CFL light bulbs, as well as mower and car batteries. Bring sensitive documents, no more than three brown bags, for shredding.

The recycling drive is for Suffolk residents only.

Jones said the tires and document shredding have become popular parts of the event.

“The tires are very popular,” he said. Last year, between two events, the city collected more than 27 tons of tires — roughly 2,500 of them.

“We’re trying to keep them out of our waterways,” he said.

Document shredding also is important as people look for ways to avoid identity theft, he noted.

The recycling drive is a part of the Great American Cleanup, which will also feature activities like community cleanups and placing fishing line receptacles at the new Sleepy Hole kayak launch and at Lone Star Lakes.

“Suffolk is a part of the Chesapeake Bay watershed,” said Kathy Russell, chair of the Suffolk Clean Community Commission. “Please remember, when it rains our litter is washed into the nearest ditch, creek, river, and on to the Chesapeake Bay and out to the ocean. Please help protect our waterways.”

At the drive, the foodbank will collect lean canned protein, canned fruits and vegetables, cereal, pasta, oatmeal, rice, crackers, soups, stews, boxed meals, canned pasta, formula, baby food, diapers, wipes and donated funds. Please donate non-breakable containers with nutritional labels intact. Items are OK to donate up to six months past the printed date. Items that are low in fat, sodium and sugar are preferred.

The next recycling drive will take place in September. Suffolk residents can sign up to receive notifications about all recycling drives by emailing littercontrol@suffolkva.us.

Call 514-7604 for more information.