Dear Recycle Lady,
A friend just told me that I should not use plastic bowls for my dog’s food and water and that I shouldn’t store his food in plastic containers. Is this true, if so, why?
Concerned for My Dog
Dear Concerned for My Dog,
Your friend is correct. The plastic bowls that you are using for your dog’s food and water can leach harmful chemicals into its kibble. One such chemical is Bisphenol A (BPA), which can cause a bacteria buildup. BPA is a chemical compound used to harden plastics and it has been linked to several health problems in both animals and humans. Consider replacing the plastic bowls for both food and water with a stainless steel or lead-free ceramic bowl that doesn’t contain chemicals and is easy to clean. If you want to continue using plastic bowls, be sure to wash them in warm soapy water after each use to avoid contamination. If you are storing your dog’s food in a large plastic container, consider placing the entire bag in the container. The fats in dog kibble can leach into the plastic container and potentially contaminate the next bag of dog food.
Dear Recycle Lady,
I read that nurdles are dangerous for marine life. What are nurdles?
More New Words
Dear More New Words,
Nurdles are a type of microplastic (less than 5mm) that are the raw material, or building block, for everything plastic. In waterways and beaches, nurdles are often found in a mass of debris or seaweed. Nurdles are so small that it takes roughly 600 of them to make one small plastic water bottle. According to www.fauna-flora.org, nurdles are increasingly finding their way into the natural environment, particularly the ocean, and are threatening a variety of marine life. Nurdles are easily ingested by marine life and wildlife, but since they are plastic, they can’t be digested.Thus, they build up in a fish or animal’s digestive tract, causing it to starve. Single-use plastics, such as straws, bags, and plastic utensils are made from nurdles. We can help reduce the production of nurdles by reducing our use of these items. Take your own bags when shopping, carry a reusable container for water instead of purchasing bottles of water, and use reusableeating utensils or compostable, biodegradable, eco-friendly utensils that are now available. When plastic items are used, recycle those that can be recycled, and dispose of the non-recyclable items in closed trash bags, so they don’t end up on our waterways and roadways. Our buying choices are truly powerful. If we purchase and use fewer plastic items, companies will begin to make fewer plastic items!
Dear Recycle Lady,
Last week you cautioned readers to check plastic film carefully before putting it in a Trex bin and if in doubt as to it being recyclable, throw it out. How does one check plastic film to be sure it is recyclable? Must paper labels be cut off?
Information Needed
Dear Information Needed,
The quickest and easiest test to see if a piece of plastic is recyclable film is to pull it over your thumb or pull it apart with both hands. If the plastic stretches, it is plastic film. If it doesn’t stretch, tears like paper, is thick, stiff, shiny (like floral wrap), or makes a loud crinkly sound when crumpled, then it is not plastic film. Put it in the trash. Any labels, tape, or adhesive strips must be cut off before putting plastic film in the bin and all receipts, food residue or crumbs must be removed. These items are contaminants and can ruin an entire batch of film. Colored plastic film, newspaper bags, cleaner’s bags, produce bags,single usecarry out bags, and plastics stamped with #4 or #2 are allacceptable. As with all recyclables, be sure the film is clean and dry before putting it in one of the Trex bins.
Kudos to the Lewisburg Girl Scouts who have already processed over 600 pound of recyclable plastic film! They are over halfway towards achieving their goal of 1,000 pounds and receiving a beautiful Trex bench. Good work, Scouts.
Good News: The world’s largest wildlife crossing is currently being built across Los Angeles’ 101 freeway! The crossing aims to provide safe passage for wildlife, especially mountain lions. (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.