Keep Suffolk Beautiful will host a Plastic Bag Recycling Drive on Nov. 14, 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 will set up two recycling stations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at both the Morgan Memorial Library, located at 443 W. Washington St, and the North Suffolk Library, located at 2000 Bennetts Creek Park Road.

The events will include free giveaways, storytime for children, a wealth of recycling information and, most importantly, a chance to hand over all your unwanted plastic bags. It’s also an opportunity for the public to speak with members of the Suffolk Clean Community Commission, whose purpose is to promote public interest in the general improvement of the environment. In addition to collecting plastic bags, the event will also accept batteries, old cell phones and ink cartridges.

“Most residents have no clue that plastic bags are not accepted in their curbside recycling container,” said Kathy Russell, chairperson for the Suffolk Clean Community Commission. “What’s the reason? 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.”

“America Recycles Day provides a key moment in time to regain momentum for recycling in America and to help make recycling a daily social norm across the country,” said Brenda Pulley, senior vice president of recycling for Keep America Beautiful. Take the “I Will Recycle” Pledge and invite your friends, family and neighbors to do the same. Let’s get people recycling every day — at home, at work and on the go.”

For more information about recycling in Suffolk, email littercontrol@suffolkva.us or call 514-7604.

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.

In 2014, more than 2,000 America Recycles Day events were registered, engaging more than 2 million estimated participants nationwide. More than 200,000 people have taken the “I Will Recycle” Pledge online and in paper form at ARD events, joining a growing movement of caring citizens committed to increase the recycling rate in America and to learn how to recycle right.