Dear Recycle Lady,
Does aluminum foil need to be flattened before it can be recycled? I always crumple up mine before putting it in the recycle bin.
Foil Recycler
Dear Foil Recycler,
Aluminum is a valuable material. It can be made into new aluminum products in only 60 days. Aluminum can be recycled either flattened or crumbled. It really doesn’t matter. However, crumpling it will prevent it from blowing away, as foil is very light. Before recycling, be sure the foil is dry and clean. Remove any paper that is stuck to the foil. If the paper or other types of materials can’t be separated from the foil, throw it away as foil mixed with other materials is a contaminate. Holes or burns are okay to recycle. One important thing to remember is that aluminum foil is recycled with aluminum pans and not aluminum cans. Interestingly, aluminum foil used to be called tin foil, but aluminum foil and tin foil are the same product. According to earth911, all foil has been made of aluminum since World War II.
Dear Recycle Lady,
Last week you said that TerraCycle recycles oral use items such as toothbrushes. What is Terra Cycle?
Wants to Know
Dear Wants to Know,
According to www.terracycle.com, TerraCycle is an innovative recycling company that has become a global leader in recycling hard-to-recycle materials. They offer a wide range of easy-to-use free recycling programs that are funded by manufacturers and retailers around the world. Primarily run as a volunteer-based recycling platform, TerraCycle collects non-recyclable pre- and post-consumer waste in cooperation with corporate donors or municipalities. They turn collected waste into raw materials for making new products. Their web site says that over 202 million people in 21 countries have helped to collect and recycle nearly 8 billion tons of waste and raise over 44 million dollars for charities around the world. They offer free shipping labels that can be downloaded to send your waste for recycling. Additionally, there is a rewards program available for your school or favorite nonprofit.
Dear Recycle Lady,
You asked for ideas on reusing, repurposing, and recycling. Here’s one. When people run out of biodegradable dog poop bags, they can put an empty plastic shopping bag over their hand to pick up the poop. Then they can turn the bag inside out and tie a knot in it to keep the poop in the bag. Dispose of the bag in the trash. I use the same method to pull small poison ivy plants out by the roots.
Pooper Scooper
Dear Pooper Scooper,
Thanks for a good suggestion. I especially liked the fact that you are using biodegradable dog poop bags. They are my preference also and there are several brands of biodegradable dog bags available online. When biodegradable bags are not available, single-use shopping bags are a good alternative. Another alternative would be to use the newspaper sleeves in which newspapers are delivered. They can be used in the same way as all the other bags.
RECYCLE WORKSHOP – Friday, Aug. 27, any time from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Information, discussion, and demonstrations on recycling at the Greenbrier Recycling Center, Monroe Avenue, Ronceverte. Come join us. We would love to see you!
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.