Dear Recycle Lady

Dear Recycle Lady,

Are we really to throw regular flashlight batteries in the landfill now? Hearing aid batteries?

Regret Batteries Don’t Recycle

Dear Regret Batteries Don’t Recycle,

Unfortunately, we are currently unable to recycle flashlight batteries, except for rechargeable ones. Thus, there is no alternative other than to throw them in the trash. However, according to my research, there is recycling available for alkaline and hearing aid batteries by Terracycle. We are now investigating the possibility of collecting these batteries at the Recycling Center. So, if you can hold on to your old batteries for awhile, recycling may be possible. Terracycle is the company that recycles oral products such as toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes and floss containers. All these items can be deposited in the recycling tube at the Recycling Center. It is on the left-hand side of the aluminum pans/foil bin. We have almost collected enough oral products to ship a package. When we are ready, Terracycle sends us a prepaid shipping label, so there is no cost for us.

Dear Recycle Lady,

How do I recycle shiny cardboard boxes?

Wondering

Dear Wondering,

Shiny cardboard boxes, such as toothpaste boxes, makeup boxes, and gift boxes, all can be recycled with other cardboards. The only cardboards that can’t be recycled are cardboards that have grease on them, for example pizza boxes, and waxed cardboards, such as juice or milk cartons. Waxed cardboard can be identified by scraping some of the wax off. Be sure to remove all materials inside the cardboard boxes before putting them in the recycling bin. Packaging, such as peanuts, Styrofoam bars and “popping” plastics that come inside cardboard shipping boxes can be dropped off at PostNet on 219 North. They reuse these items for packing and shipping packages by FedEx or UPS.

Dear Recycle Lady,

Where do I recycle my church bulletins? The front covered is colored ink while the back cover and the two inside pages are black and white. 

Church Goer

Dear Church Goer,

Your church bulletins can be recycled with office paper. The colored ink is printed on white paper, so it does not prevent recycling with white paper. Thanks for recycling your church’s bulletins. Hopefully, other churches will recycle their bulletins also.

A reminder – When the fall season is over and your pumpkins are ready for disposal, take them out in a field, smash them and give the deer a delicious treat. 

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.