Dear Recycle Lady,
What is the difference between a landfill and a dump? I always thought they were the same thing.
Dump or Landfill
Dear Dump or Landfill,
A landfill and a dump are definitely not the same thing. A landfill must meet certain state and federal requirements for isolating waste from the environment. It also must meet requirements for long-term management and restoration of the waste site. Any waste site that does not meet these criteria is a dump. In West Virginia, it is illegal to create an open dump, burn waste or bury waste on your property. The Greenbrier County Solid Waste Authority oversees the Greenbrier County Landfill and meets all the criteria for landfill management. Locally, waste is picked up by Greenbrier Valley Solid Waste or Lusk Waste and taken to the Greenbrier County Landfill for proper disposal.
Please note, the Greenbrier COUNTY Solid Waste Authority and the Greenbrier VALLEY Solid Waste are two distinct organizations. The Greenbrier COUNTY Solid Waste Authority is a branch of WV state government that oversees landfills and recycling. Greenbrier VALLEY Solid Waste is a privately owned garbage service and trash pickup business. Need trash pickup or a dumpster? Call Greenbrier VALLEY Solid Waste (304-645-1470). Have questions about the landfill or recycling? Call the Greenbrier COUNTY Solid Waste AUTHORITY (304-645-2489).
Dear Recycle Lady,
What is upcycling? Is it the same as recycling?
What’s The Difference
Dear What’s The Difference,
Upcycling is a special kind of recycling. When an item is upcycled, it is recycled into a product that has a higher value than the value of the original recycled item, or the original recycled item is used to create something entirely new. Most recycling is downcycling when a lower grade version of the recycled item is made. An example of upcycling is making new shoes from recycled plastic bottles, while an example of downcycling is making lower quality plastic bottles from the recycled plastic bottles. Upcycling supports a circular economy in which goods are used and reused many times instead of getting thrown out after one use. A circular economy is more sustainable as it uses what we have instead of creating new products out of new materials. It also reduces landfill wastes and minimizes carbon emissions.
Dear Recycle Lady,
I have gone to the landfill to take household trash and to the Recycling Center in Ronceverte to take items for recycling. Can items for recycling be taken to the landfill? Do you accept eligible recyclables sorted or mixed? If sorted, how do you categorize and sort by type?
Returning to Recycling
Dear Returning to Recycling,
Recycling is now available at both the Recycle Center in Ronceverte on Monroe Avenue and at the landfill. Regardless of the location, items for recycling must be separated and placed in the proper bins. We do not accept mixed bags. Both locations have the following 11 bins for your convenience: aluminum cans, steel cans, #1 plastics, #2 clear plastics, #2 colored plastics, newspapers, office paper, magazines, cardboard, shredded paper, and toothbrushes.
Interesting Info: Coral reefs, mangroves, seagrasses, and saltmarshes absorb up to 97% of wave energy, neutralizing its force and helping protect coastlines from storms. Preserving these natural coastal defenders is crucial. Thanks to the support of Free the Ocean Plastic Plus members and Greater Good Charities, a team recently helped restore Tampa Bay’s struggling shorelines, removing harmful debris like fishing lines and crab traps while rebuilding vital habitat. (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.
