You have written about honeybees and other pollinators, but I haven’t seen any mention of moths. Aren’t they also a pollinator?
Fan of Pollinators
Dear Fan of Pollinators,
Thanks for your question. Moths are definitely pollinators. In fact, research by the University of Sheffield in the UK has shown that moths carry more pollen and visit more plants than experts thought. New research suggests that moths may be responsible for as much as one-third of the pollination of flowering plants found in towns and cities. In return, the plants may be a source of food for the moths as some of them feed on the flowers. Moths, and all the other pollinators, are helping to create a healthier environment.
Dear Recycle Lady,
How much water does it take to produce one plastic bottle of water?
Curious
Dear Curious,
It takes more water to produce a bottle of water than the amount of drinkable water that is in a bottle of water. According to bottledwater.org, it takes 1.41 liters of water and 0.21 mega joules (kilograms of energy) to produce 1 liter of finished bottled water. Then, according, to npr.org, it takes up to six or seven times the cost of the water in the bottle to product the plastic bottle. All considered, that is one expensive bottle of water!
Dear Readers,
Happy World Oceans Day! June 8 will be the United Nations’ World Oceans Day with the theme this year of “Planet Ocean: Tides are Changing.” In 1992, the 193 nations of the UN held the first day of celebration for oceans. Although they cover more than 70% of the Earth’s surface, oceans have received only a small fraction of the world’s attention and resources; even though they are the world’s largest ecosystem and home to millions of species of plants and animals. Sea cucumbers, a tiny team of the ocean’s little “clean-up crew” vacuum up sediment and thus play an important role in the ocean cleanup. They digest organic matter and recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem. Sea otters also play a crucial role in keeping marine ecosystems healthy. By eating sea urchins, Sea Otters prevent overgrazing of kelp forests, which are underwater habitats that support biodiversity and help absorb carbon dioxide. Their recent comeback in some regions is a great example of how protecting one species can have a ripple effect on the entire ecosystem. Cleaning up the oceans of all the trash that is in them is critical.Early in 2026, Ocean Cleanup, a nonprofit, environmental engineering organization based in the Netherlands, hit a huge milestone. They removed over 55 million pounds of plastic waste from our oceans and rivers. That’s a record-breaking cleanup and a huge win for our oceans and all the creatures that call them home.
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.
