urbanbuzz / Shutterstock.com Potato Chip & Snack Bags Trash urbanbuzz / Shutterstock.com Chip & snack bags should be placed in the trash because they are a mixed material usually comprised of plastic and aluminum foil. Do Not Recycle The shiny lining in chip bags is often aluminum or mixed plastic. Since recycling plants cannot separate the layers, these mixed-material bags cannot be recycled. Toss them in the garbage.