Recycling benefits the environment, but not all items are recyclable. Every day people turn in trash items that will eventually be removed because of the risk to the recycling machines and workers. Learn about some of the items you shouldn’t try to recycle before your next trash pickup.

4 Non-Recyclable Items

1. Plastic Bags

The plastic bags you get from your local grocery store don’t belong in the recycle bin. The flimsy material will end up clogging reprocessing machinery, forcing workers to remove the messy plastic strands. Check with your neighborhood store to see if they participate in the Store Drop-Off program instead.

2. Hangers

While hanger materials may be recyclable, their wires tangle up inside machines and must be removed by hand. Try recycling hangers in your home for drain unclogging and unlocking the car.

3. Batteries

Batteries, including lithium-ion ones found in some phones, should never be put out in the recycle bin. Filled with caustic and flammable materials, batteries that end up in landfills are hazardous to the facility and the environment. Electronics with non-removable batteries likewise shouldn’t go in the trash. Check with your local recycling facility for a more appropriate place to salvage batteries.

4. Bottle Caps

Remove caps before tossing your plastic bottles in the recycle bin. Since bottle caps are made from a non-recyclable type of plastic, they get discarded from facilities. Save the recyclers some time by removing the cap and wrapper before crushing the bottle.

Turn to Honolulu Disposal Service for recycling and trash services. With over 50 years of experience, Hawaii’s oldest refuse business offers waste removal and roll off dumpster service. Visit their website or call them at (808) 845-7581 to find out more about the recyclables they accept. You can also find more recycling tips on their Facebook page.