Dear Recycle Lady,
Is anything being done to solve the food waste problem you mentioned a few weeks ago? can do better
dear we can do better,
Fortunately, there are several groups and organizations working on solving this problem. A U.S. start-up is working to make it easier to buy ill-shaped or “ugly foods” — produce that grocery stores don’t buy. For local information, visit the Google Misfits Market. Another company, www.greatergood.com/silk-coating/, has developed an invisible plant-based coating that makes fruit last longer. California and Vermont now require supermarkets, small grocery stores, and convenience stores to donate unsold edible food instead of throwing it in the trash. Inedible food should be composted. In London, a new ‘best before’ label for fruits and vegetables was created to replace the ‘date’ label to help consumers better understand what they can eat. According to Digital Trends, a trash can in Seoul, South Korea, automatically weighs food waste that goes into the trash, and Koreans pay for what they throw away. This became a necessary step as the country was running out of landfill space. Additionally, almost all organic waste in South Korea is turned into compost, animal feed, or biogas. ReFed, a nonprofit focused on reducing food waste, estimates that at least 70% of US restaurant food waste is paid for but not eaten. The New York Times reported that apps in Asia, Europe and the US are offering discounts on restaurant food waste.
Dear Recycle Lady,
Why do recycling centers only accept bottles and jugs? Do laundry detergent bottles need to be rinsed before recycling? I want to recycle more plastic
Dear I want to recycle more plastic,
A big reason recycling centers only accept #1 and #2 bottles and jugs is because buyers only buy bottles and jugs. Other collected plastics are sent to landfills as there is currently no market for them. Yes, laundry detergent bottles should be rinsed before being placed in the recycling bin. (Readers, do you have any ideas for the use of soapy water for rinsing?) According to www.treehugger.com, of his 1 billion laundry jugs used each year in the United States, He is only 30%. Therefore, over 700 million plastic laundry jugs end up in landfills, rivers and oceans each year. Luckily, some alternative, more eco-friendly types of detergents and packaging are becoming available. powder laundry detergent can be made with grated soap, a cup of borax, and a cup of laundry soda.
Dear Recycle Lady,
All the flowers in the hanging basket have died. What should I do with hanging baskets and vases? Can they be recycled? gardener
dear gardener,
Used hanging baskets and vases cannot be recycled at the recycling center. Not a bottle or a jug! However, it can be reused, so please check with your local nursery or plant dealer. Baskets and pots can be reused to prepare hanging baskets and flowers to sell next spring, so donations are likely to be appreciated. Be sure to remove any soil in baskets or pots before donating. Potting soil is expensive, but it’s a great addition to existing flowerbeds, compost bins, and compost piles.
Interesting info: More than 2,500 years ago, seashells were used to brush teeth when the ancient Greeks crushed oyster shells into toothpaste as an abrasive. It’s the same reason today’s toothpaste brands add calcium carbonate.
Have a recycling question or interesting information about recycling? Send your questions and requests to recyclelady@greenbrier-swa.com. Dear Recycle Lady is co-sponsored by Greenbrier Recycling Center and Greenworks Recycling.
