Dear Recycle Lady

Dear Recycle Lady,
I have a large metal flashlight that no longer works. Can it be recycled with metal cans?
In the Dark

Dear In the Dark,
Your metal flashlight can be recycled, but not with metal cans. It recycles with scrap metal. Be sure to take the batteries out first. Have you considered dedicating a container for the collection of small metal items such as your flashlight? Other items that could be added to this container are metal lids that come on jars, canning lids, and old doorknobs. When you have accumulated several items, and are headed to the Recycling Center, take these items with you. Ring the bell on the aluminum can door and one of the employees will come help you. All those metal hangers that seem to accumulate in the back of your closet can be taken to the Greenbrier Valley Cleaners in Fairlea on Route 219 across from Greenbrier Motors.

Dear Recycle Lady,
Here is a link to the article “15 Surprising Uses for Eggshells.” I already use eggshells as fertilizer and to kill slugs. I’d like to try some of the uses given in the article, foodstoragemoms.com/15-surprising-uses-for-eggshells
Eggshells are Valuable

Dear Eggshells are Valuable,
Thanks for the great information on the many uses for eggshells. They can not only be used to fertilize your garden and nourish your tomato plants; they can also be added to your compost pile. I particularly liked the information about adding them to bird feed as birds need all the help they can get. The extra calcium will strength the shells of their eggs, just as it strengthens the shells of chicken eggs. To prepare the shells for the birds, crush the dried-out shells, place them on a baking sheet and put them in a 275o oven for about 10 minutes. Crush them again and add small amounts to the bird seed. Baking your eggshells prior to using them in your garden will also help the nutrients be absorbed by your plants faster. If the eggshells are not baked first, it will be several months before your plants will benefit from them. Baking them also sanitizes the eggshells, as will heating them in the microwave for 3 minutes.

Dear Recycle Lady,
When shopping for Easter goodies, I found green Easter grass that is compostable. I put it in my granddaughter’s Easter basket, and it looked like any other Easter grass.
The Easter Bunny

Dear Easter Bunny,
Great find. Hopefully, by next year all Easter grass will be compostable. I’m happy to say, that with the growing awareness of how harmful plastic is to the environment, there are beginning to be quite a few alternatives available to replace plastic items.
Good News: In submerged “biospheres” off the coast of Italy, scuba divers are gardening! In an installation known as Nemo’s Garden, they’re growing basil, tomatoes, beans, herbs, and flowers, testing the viability of underwater greenhouses. (fto.com)
Next Saturday is Earth Day. Come celebrate with us at the Greenbrier Recycling Center on Friday, Apr. 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be tours of the center and explanations or demonstrations of all the equipment. Free hot dogs (with chili and all the extras!), chips and drinks will be available. I will be there to answer questions and join in on discussions as to how to improve and accomplish our recycle objectives. See you there next Friday!
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.