The Shadow
Dear Recycle Lady,
I hear it’s better for the environment to leave my leaves in my yard instead of raking them up and bagging them. Do you agree with this?
Lawn Mower
Dear Lawn Mower,
I do agree with this. Leaves left in your yard will be fertilizer for your grass and perhaps give small animals, critters and creatures some shelter during the winter. According to David Mizejewski, a naturalist at Natural Wildlife Federation, leaves fall around the root zone of plants that otherwise compete with the trees and shrubs for nutrients.
Instead of raking the leaves, mow them with the mower on the highest setting, which breaks the leaves up into smaller pieces and adds nutrients to the soil. Since the leaves are now smaller, they will compost quicker, and the process of returning the nutrients to the soil occurs more rapidly. Leaves raked into plant beds along the edge of your yard will also provide for wildlife habitat. Everything from earthworms, beneficial insects, toads, box turtles and chipmunks can live in this layer of leaves during the winter.
Bagging your leaves is not a good idea. According to the EPA, landfills in 2018 received nearly 11 million tons of yard clippings, which break down and form methane, a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. Blowing your leaves into the street is also not recommended, as leaves can stop up drains and affect local water. If there is foreign debris in your leaves, it can clog grates and prevent water from moving along the street.
Dear Recycle Lady,
I have been collecting rubber bands from delivered newspapers for quite a while. Is there anyone who can use these? Collector
Dear Collector,
Good thinking about how to “reuse.” I spoke with the WV Daily News, and they thought reusing the rubber bands was a great idea. Besides office use, the newspaper carriers can reuse them to prepare newspapers for delivery. Accumulate bands of all sizes in a bag or box, then take them to the Daily News Office on Court Street or put them in their after-hours mail slot.
Did you know that rubber bands are not actually made of rubber? According to Public Lab, rubber bands are generally made of a mixture of natural and synthetic materials, including a form of plastic that makes them more durable.
Dear Recycle Lady,
I have been recycling all my office paper, magazines and newspapers. Are there any types of paper that cannot be recycled?
Paper Recycler
Dear Paper Recycler,
There are several types of paper that can’t be recycled. Freezer paper and wax paper are neither recyclable nor compostable as they are coated with either vegetable wax or petroleum-based paraffin. Used parchment paper isn’t recyclable either, as it may be stained with food or cooking oils. The short fibers that make up tissue paper prevent it from being recyclable. However, it is compostable and breaks down quickly in your compost bin. Napkins and paper towels are not recyclable either, as they are a very low-grade of paper. They are both made from paper that may have been recycled five to seven times; thus, the fibers are very small and very short. However, both napkins and paper towels can be composted and are considered brown material, as long as they haven’t been used to wipe up oil, butter, milk or lard. Gift wrapping paper, paper coated with plastic, and sticky paper are not recyclable, and neither are thermal receipts. Thermal receipts contain chemicals that are harmful to the environment and to humans; thus, they are neither recyclable nor compostable. Paper cups and plates are not recyclable as they may have food or grease on them, both of which are contaminants.
Any kind of paper, whether white, colored, magazine, newspaper or cardboard, can’t be recycled if it is not clean and dry. Grease and food must never be on paper products to be recycled, as grease and food will not mix with the water needed to break down the paper into fibers. If greasy or food-laden paper is put in with clean paper, the entire batch is contaminated and cannot be recycled. Thus, it all goes to the landfill.
REDUCE, REUSE, RETHINK, RECYCLE
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.
