Are you recycling correctly? This handy chart will clear up any confusion

If you’re known to blindly toss anything paper or plastic into the recycling bin, you’re probably not alone.

But there are actually pretty specific ways you should recycle, and there are definitely items you shouldn’t be recycling.

Here are the three basic rules to remember when recycling, according to Waste Management experts:

1. Recycle clean bottles, cans, paper and cardboard.
2. Be sure there is no liquid or food in the items you’re recycling.
3. DO NOT toss plastic bags into the recycling bin, and that means no bagged recyclables, either.

But let’s dive in a little deeper. The following are items that are acceptable and unacceptable in your recycling bin.

There are a couple other things worth mentioning.

For example, larger items that don’t belong in the recycling bin include furniture, appliances, tires, pools, electronics, batteries, clothing or auto parts.

And many believe that if an item contains the recycling arrows it is recyclable, but that’s not always the case. Many plastic items cannot be made into new products, therefore, they aren’t necessarily recyclable.

Follow the chart above if you have a question about what’s OK to recycle, or you can click or tap here.

To learn more about recycling do’s and don’t’s, click here.