Dear Recycle Lady,
What is the Global Organic Textile Standard?
A New Classification
Dear A New Classification,
Global Organic Textile Standard, or GOTS, spells out the environmental and toxicological criteria that organic products must meet to be certified organic. Only textile products that contain a minimum of 70% organic fibers and chemicals that meet certain environmental and toxicological criteria can become GOTS certified. The use of toxic chemicals for processing is prohibited, as is child labor. There are also strong labor provisions. GOTS protects workers, consumers, and the environment. For more information, Google Global organic textile products, Inc.
Dear Recycle Lady,
Today when I pulled the bag out of a box of crackers it looked like it was made of a very shiny foil. Yet the bag didn’t exactly look like aluminum foil. How can I tell if the bag is made of aluminum foil?
Stumped
Dear Stumped,
There is a very simple test to determine if your shiny bag is made of aluminum foil. Crinkle or roll it up into a ball, then release the pressure on it. If the bag is made of aluminum foil, it will remain in the ball that you just made, and it is recyclable, but not locally. If the bag is made of a shiny metallic film, it will pop back or unfold and thus is not recyclable. There are several kinds of shiny paper, some which can be recycled and others that cannot. For example, glossy magazine covers can be recycled but foil-coated papers used for wrapping chocolate bars can’t. The challenge for recycling shiny paper is the cost of sorting and processing. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that the cost per ton of recycling mixed paper is approximately $50 per ton, whereas the cost to recycle shiny paper is over $100 per ton. AI-powered systems are now being used to analyze the composition of shiny paper, predict machine performance, and adjust processing conditions. They are also working toward improving efficiency and reducing waste of shiny paper. Scientists are working on designing new materials to replace the metallic coatings found on shiny papers. Potential alternatives to the metallic coating are silicon-based coatings and recycled metal-infused compounds.
Dear Recycle Lady,
Why is methane considered a pollutant? I read that stronger standards are needed for methane emissions.
Wondering Reader
Dear Wondering Reader,
Methane is a colorless, odorless, transparent, flammable gas that occurs naturally underground and under the seafloor. It is found in the environment in coal, oil, and natural gas deposits. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that enters the atmosphere largely due to human activities. It is produced by the decaying and breaking down of organic materials that occurs for example in landfills. At a low level, methane is non-toxic and doesn’t pose a threat to our health. It is the main component of natural gas and is widely used in homes, businesses and factories all over the world. It is used to fuel water heaters, furnaces, stoves, and clothes dryers. However, according to Wikipedia, methane is responsible for approximately 30% of the rise in global temperatures as it gradually converts into carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Jon Soldstein, EDF methane policy expert, stated that well-designed methane standards are protective of the earth and that the fastest way to slow climate change is cutting methane pollution.
Interesting Information: Sponges stay rooted in place, but they have clever defenses. Many produce chemicals that taste bad or are toxic to predators. Their bodies can contain tiny, needle-like structures called spicules that make them quite uncomfortable to eat. Some species even use a “sneezing” response, forcefully expelling water to blast away potential threats. (fto.com)
Have questions about recycling, or interesting information about recycling? Send questions or requests Recyclelady7@gmail.com. Dear Recycle Lady is sponsored jointly by the Greenbrier Recycling Center and Greenworks Recycling.
