Binghamton residents are being reminded not to throw plastic shopping bags in the recycle bin.

Kathy Whyte/ WNBF News
Kathy Whyte/ WNBF News
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City sanitation crews will not collect recycling that contains plastic bags that gum up the machines at the sorting facilities.

While plastic shopping bags have never been considered recyclable material, residents continue to put them out with items that can be re-used.

Workers will start slapping bright green"Warning of Violation" stickers on offending bins to warn residents that the bags are NOT recyclable and have to be put in the trash.  Those recycling containers will not be collected until the material is re-sorted to include only acceptable recyclables.

Binghamton officials say most local grocery stores accept plastic bags for recycling.

New York State has a new law that bans the use of plastic bags by most retailers starting in March of next year.

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