The Shadow
Dear Recycle Lady,
It’s tax time again, and I am wondering what to do with bank statements, credit card bills, old tax reports and sensitive documents? Need
Safe Disposal
Dear Need Safe Disposal,
The Greenbrier Recycling Center provides safe shredding of personal documents that is free and available for everyone. All confidential documents taken to the Recycling Center are locked in a secure, windowless room. They remain there until such time as the staff is shredding paper. After all documents in the safe room are shredded, they are mixed with other shredded paper so there is no chance anyone could ever put your forms back together again.
Before taking your documents to the Recycling Center, go through all documents and remove paper clips, binders, manila folders, brown envelopes or large mailing envelopes. Staples do not need to be removed. Put all your papers in a bag or box and take them to the aluminum can door at the Recycle Center. Ring the bell and someone will meet you there and take your package to the locked, secure room.
Dear Recycle Lady,
What is sewage sludge?
Another New Word
Dear Another New Word,
When domestic or industrial sewage is sent to a wastewater treatment plant, liquids and solids are separated producing a semisolid, nutrient-rich product called sewage sludge. Sewage sludge, also called a biosolid, is currently being used as a soil conditioner or fertilizer on farmlands throughout the United States. However, the use of sewage sludge is under study by the EPA as it contains toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS. PFAS chemicals are absorbed into soil, crops and groundwater, and thus are a never-ending cycle of contamination. PFAS have been linked to cancer, birth defects and immune system disorders.
Dear Recycle Lady,
Last week’s column defined #7 plastics as being a mixture of all the chemicals that don’t fit in one of the other six categories. However, I read that #7 plastics are sometimes recyclable and sometimes not.
How Can This Be True
Dear How Can This Be True,
What you read is correct. Sometimes #7 plastics are recyclable and sometimes they are not, even though the #7 is in the chasing arrows recycle symbol. Number 7 plastics are a PLA (polylactic acid) plastic and not a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic. PLA plastics, according to www.this-element.com are a bio-based polyester “produced by fermenting sugars from renewable resources like corn starch or sugarcane. The fermentation process creates lactic acid, which is then polymerized to form PLA.” While it is compostable and sometimes recyclable, PLA plastic requires industrial composting facilities and very costly recycling equipment. PLA plastics are often used for compostable utensils, fabrics and packaging. Sturdy, single-use, lightweight items are also made of PLA plastic. The good news is that ongoing research is making PLA plastics more compostable.
Interesting Information: Covering over 63 million square miles, the Pacific Ocean is the world’s largest ocean and home to diverse marine life. Named by explorer Ferdinand Magellan, Pacific means peaceful sea. Although it has its fair share of storms, this vast ocean’s name reflects the calm waters Magellan experienced during his 16th-century voyage.
Have questions about recycling or interesting information about recycling? Send questions or requests to Recyclelady7@gmail.com. Dear Recycle Lady is sponsored jointly by the Greenbrier Recycling Center and Greenworks Recycling.
