Dear Recycle Lady,
I heard that there are some mushrooms that eat plastic as their entire diet. Can this possibly be true?
Doubting Thomas
Dear Doubting Thomas,
Yes, a mushroom does exist that eats plastic. According to Wikipedia, the Pestalotiopsis microspore is a species of endophytic fungus that can break down and digest polyurethane, better known as plastic. Originally identified in 1880, its ability to break down plastic and turn it into organic matter wasn’t discovered until 2010 when a group of student researchers were in the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest as part of Yale’s annual Rainforest Expedition and Laboratory. It has the potential to be a candidate for bioremediation projects involving large quantities of plastic. It could also potentially be used to clean up landfills.
Dear Recycle Lady,
Some plastic bags and wraps don’t have a number on them. Can these plastic bags and wraps without numbers be put in the drop-off bin at stores like Kroger or Walmart?
Can’t Find a Number
Dear Can’t Find a Number,
Yes and no. Kroger accepts plastic bags and wraps that are packaging for Kroger products, regardless of whether they have a #1, #2, or a How2Recycle label on them. However, if your plastic bag or wrap is packaging for another product and has none of these labels, it must go in the trash. When in doubt, throw it out. Plastic bags and wraps without labels may have ingredients in them that can contaminate the plastic recycling process. Before placing any plastic bag or wrap in a Kroger, Wal-Mart, or Lowes bin, be sure the bag or wrap is clean and dry. Also, be sure to remove any food or receipts and cut off any paper labels. Plastic labels are okay.
Dear Recycle Lady,
While shopping for eggs, I noticed that eggs come in cardboard cartons, plastic cartons, and some even come in styrofoam cartons. Can any of these egg cartons be recycled?
Egg Head
Dear Egg Head,
In this area, only the cardboard egg cartons are recyclable. They are made from molded paper pulp, so they can be recycled with cardboard. There are other uses for these molded paper pulp egg cartons besides recycling. They are biodegradable and will decompose quickly in your backyard compost bin. Farmers who have chickens and sell eggs will appreciate your passing on any of these egg cartons to them. There are uses for all kinds of eggs cartons, including sorting and storing small items, starting seedlings, or using them for an assortment of craft projects. There are many interesting suggestions on the web. Just Google egg cartons to find a large number of creative and useful projects. In larger cities, plastic egg cartons can be recycled in the grocery store bins. For example, these cartons can be used to make license plate frames, foam utensils or packing peanuts. Please consider these packaging options when you buy your eggs and be kind to our environment.
Kudos to RBS employees and volunteers who cleaned up trash from a makeshift tent city on the banks of the Greenbrier River in Caldwell and thanks also to the Greenbrier County Landfill for their help. We are blessed to live in Greenbrier County where people volunteer to help others and are willing to work to keep our community clean.
Dear Readers,
May your blessings be many, your troubles be few, and nothing but happiness come unto you. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Have questions about recycling, or interesting information about recycling? Send questions or requests to recyclelady@greenbrier-swa.com. Dear Recycle Lady is sponsored jointly by the Greenbrier Recycling Center and Greenworks Recycling.
