Dear Recycle Lady

Dear Recycle Lady,

My inhaler comes in a box, inside an aluminum tray that has an aluminum cover with the instructions glued on it. When I removed the instructions, glue remained on the foil. I know the aluminum tray and foil are recyclable, but must this glue be removed before the foil goes into the aluminum pans / foil bin?

Seeking Information

Dear Seeking Information,

Congratulations on using a product with packaging that is entirely recyclable. Yours is an important question as contamination is a concern with recycling aluminum foil. Any aluminum foil placed in the aluminum pan/foil bin MUST BE CLEAN and free from grease or food residue and yes, this includes removing any glue from aluminum foil before it is recycled. Recycling clean aluminum foil is important as new products made from recycled aluminum foil save more than 90% of the energy necessary for producing virgin aluminum. Aluminum foil made from recycled aluminum is now available.

Dear Recycle Lady,

What is a circular economy?

Going in Circles

Dear Going in Circles,

According to Wikipedia, a circular economy (CE) is a model of production and consumption that involv es sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible. Climate change, biodiversity loss, waste and pollution are challenges to a circular economy. A circular economy seeks to circulate products and materials, and regenerate nature. 

Dear Recycle Lady,

What is the difference between compost and decomposing?

Confused Gardner

Dear Confused Gardner,

Compost is what remains when decayed organic matter, such as vegetable and fruit peelings, coffee grounds, eggshells, leaves and grass clippings are put in a compost pile and, over time, change (decompose) into a natural fertilizer. Composting is a way to put nutrients back into the soil using natural decomposition, the biological process that reduces the organic materials into compost. One word of caution: don’t add meat, bones, fatty foods, or pet wastes to a compost pile. They can attract “critters” to the pile and cause unwanted odor.

Kudos to Del Monte – only 4% of their total packaging by weight remains plastic-based – the rest is made of paper, metal, and glass. By 2030, Del Monte aims to make 100% of its plastic packaging recyclable, reusable, or compostable. Del Monte is also entering regenerative farming, introducing the use of cover crops to prevent erosion and restore nitrogen and other nutrients in the soil between food crops. (Earth911.com)

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.