Keep Suffolk Beautiful began a month-long Plastic Bag Recycling Drive on Nov. 15, joining thousands of local organizers holding recycling events across the country to celebrate America Recycles Day, a national initiative of Keep America Beautiful.

Keep Suffolk Beautiful in partnership with the Suffolk Public Library will set up a recycling bin at both the Morgan Memorial Library and North Suffolk Library.

“Most residents are unaware that plastic bags are not accepted in their curbside recycling container,” said Wayne Jones, spokesman for Keep Suffolk Beautiful. “Plastic bags wrap around the recycling machinery and damage it. However, the average person uses approximately 500 plastic bags per year, so how do you recycle them? Whenever possible, use reusable bags or paper bags. But, if you must use a plastic bag, then return them to stores that have partnerships with plastic bag recycling companies. Next time you use a plastic bag, please think about how you plan to recycle it.”

In addition to collecting plastic bags, you can also recycle batteries, old cell phones, ink cartridges and eye glasses at the Suffolk Public Library.

For more information about recycling, email littercontrol@suffolkva.us or call 514-7604. The Morgan Memorial Library is located at 443 W. Washington St. The North Suffolk Library is located at 2000 Bennetts Creek Park Road.

America Recycles Day is the only nationally recognized day and coast-to-coast community-driven awareness campaign dedicated to promoting and celebrating recycling in the United States.