Dear Recycle Lady

Dear Recycle Lady,

Several of my steel trash cans are rusty. Can they be recycled?

Recycler

Dear Recycler,

Yes, slightly rusty steel trash cans can be recycled. As always, anything recycled should be reasonably clean. Many new products are now being made from recycled metal. Household items, such as lamps, tables and sinks can all be made from recycled metal. Both bike and car parts have recycled metal in them. New cans, made from recycled metal, take 95% less energy than making a new can from virgin materials.  

It’s surprising how far large objects, like trash cans, can go when not stored properly. For example, a big, blue trash can that was used as a recycle bin in Myrtle Beach, SC, was swept away in the ocean and later found on the shore in western Ireland. It had traveled approximately 3,500 miles and the sticker identifying it as a recycle bin from Myrtle Beach was still on it. An amazing journey!

Dear Recycle Lady,

What are neonicotinoids? I think they are linked to the dying of bees.  Please explain. 

Want to Know

Dear Want to Know,

Neonicotinoids are a new class on insecticides that are chemically related to nicotine. The name literally means “new nicotine-like insecticides.” Shelland Bayer, in the 1980s and1990s respectfully, worked extensively on their development. According to https://entomology.umd.edu, neonicotinoids are the most commonly used insecticides in the world and are toxic to bees, birds and other pollinators. Neonicotinoids are dusted on plants thus they are spread by air. They are also used to coat seeds before planting so they seep into ground water. In 2018, the European Union (EU) banned the use of neonicotinoids, except within closed greenhouses. France banned them in 2019. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has banned 12 neonicotinoids pesticides that are toxic to bees, however, there are still 47 neonicotinoid-based products on the market. According to Business Insider these 47 products must be registered with the EPA by 2022. 

Dear Recycle Lady,

Why must plastic bottles, steel cans, aluminum cans, cardboard and other recyclables be clean before they are recycled? Isn’t there equipment that cleans everything before baling?

To Wash or Toss

Dear To Wash or Toss,

Cleaning items before recycling them is essential, for one BIG reason: contamination. The Recycling Center does not have the equipment to clean recyclables, so must depend on the recyclers to bring items clean.  One contaminated item is all it takes to contaminate an entire load of acceptable recyclables. Companies that reuse recyclables to make new products have been known to toss an entire load of recycling into the trash when finding a single contaminated piece. In 2018, 800,000 tons of recyclables were rejected by the largest user of recyclables because they were contaminated. They all ended up in a landfill and of no value to anyone.

Kudos to the Big Draft Brewing in White Sulphur Springs for serving a complete meal using china plates, glasses, silverware, and cloth napkins. Even the salad dressing was served in a small metal container, not a plastic one. A delicious meal, using reusable items, in a most enjoyable atmosphere! 

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.