The Shadow
Dear Recycle Lady,
I have always used aluminum foil for lining my grill and wrapping meat to be cooked. Now I am hearing that I should reconsider this. Please tell me why this is a not so good idea.
Dedicated Griller
Dear Dedicated Griller,
Aluminum foil has long been used as a food wrap as it helps retain heat and moisture and makes cleanup easier. It is effective, available and inexpensive. However, according to mykitchen.com, there are some growing concerns over its use, especially at high temperatures when aluminum could leach into food, potentially posing health risks. Additionally, aluminum foil requires vast amounts of energy to produce and, while it is recyclable in some areas, it is not recyclable locally. Plus, aluminum foil is not biodegradable and contributes to metal waste and other kinds of waste as most aluminum ends up in the landfill due to food residue. Fortunately, there are now eco-friendly products designed for grilling. Cedar wraps and bamboo wood sheets both offer sustainable and flavorful grilling, but soaking may be required to prevent burning, Silicone mats and sheets are available that are durable, reusable, easy to clean and don’t leach chemicals into food. Ceramic and stone mats are also available and are designed to heat evenly at very high temperatures and are heat-resistant, non-stick, and easy to clean. They are ideal for grilling vegetables, meats, and seafood. These alternatives are a little more expensive than aluminum foil but they are durable, can be used long term, are biodegradable, and reduce waste. For a list of alternatives, benefits and drawbacks of these products go to https://mykitchengallery.com/what-can-i-use-instead-of-aluminum-foil-for-grilling/.
Dear Recycle Lady,
What is upcycling? Is it the same as recycling?
Confused Recycler
Dear Confused Recycler,
Upcycling is a special kind of recycling. When an item is upcycled, it is recycled into a product that has a higher value than the value of the original item or it is used to create an entirely new product. Most recycling is downcycling. Downcycling is recycling items into a lower grade version of the same product. An example of upcycling is making new shoes from recycled plastic bottles, while downcycling is making thinner plastics bottles from recycled plastic bottles. Upcycling supports a circular economy in which goods are used and reused many times instead of being thrown out after one use. A circular economy is more sustainable as it uses what we have instead of creating new products out of new materials. It also reduces landfill wastes and minimizes carbon emissions.
Dear Recycle Lady,
Does the Endangered Species List really make a difference in the comeback of an endangered species or does the species listed become extinct? Concerned
Dear Concerned,
Yes, the Endangered Species Act (US EPA) does make a difference. It provides a program for the conservation of threatened and endangered plants and animals and the habitats in which they are found. In 1978, the American Bald Eagle, our national bird, was placed on the Endangered Species list. Loss of habitat, hunting and the toxicity of DDT had reduced the Bald Eagle population down to some 800 birds by the 1950’s and 1960’s. In 2007, after 35 years of protection, the Bald Eagle was removed from the Endangered Species list when officials counted at least 10,000 mating pairs of Bald Eagles. Now, it is estimated that there are more than 50,000 Bald Eagles living in Alaska and the lower 48 states. Hawaii is the only state that does not have a Bald Eagle population. The really good news is that in 2019, a study by the Center for Biological Diversity found that the Endangered Species Act has saved 99 percent of protected species from extinction.
Bad News: The International Union for Conservation of Nature has classified the world’s largest penguin species, the Emperor Penguins, as endangered. The loss of sea ice due to global warming is the main threat of the Penguins.
Have questions about recycling, or interesting information about recycling? Send questions or requests to recyclelady@gmail.com. Dear Recycle Lady is sponsored jointly by the Greenbrier Recycling Center and Greenworks Recycling.
