Different locations have different regulations, so those posting and not identifying location make comments that are not applicable to all readers.
Black plastic trash bags are not illegal here in CT. In fact our trash haulers require we use them inside the garbage cans. This reduces chances of vermin, especially in hot weather.
We have separate blue recycling cans. The next town does not separate the recyclables, but has a sorting operation at their transfer station (modern word for dump). This facility employs people with limited mental abilities who are suited to repetitive tasks, so it accomplishes multiple goals.
We recycle, glass, metal, cardboard in our blue bin. We have a compost area on our property for food waste. This is later used as fertilizer for our lawns and gardens. Old electronics are taken to our town’s transfer station and are purchased by a recycler who processes them and recovers precious metals from the circuit boards.
We have both garbage disposers in our sink to grind the food waste from dirty dishes, and trash compactors to crush our trash requiring fewer cans to be taken to the street and fewer black bags to be used each week.
Our town even has collection bins outside each public school for fabric waste…meaning ripped clothing, linens, etc. That are not suitable to be donated to charity, but are instead sold by weight and reprocessed. The money from received from this recycling buys additional books for school libraries, beyond the annual budgeted amount