Dear Recycle Lady,
I have been recycling all my office paper, magazines and newspapers. Are there any types of paper that cannot be recycled?
Paper Recycler
Dear Paper Recycler,
Yes, there are several types of paper that can’t be recycled. Freezer paper and wax paper are neither recyclable nor compostable as they are coated with either vegetable wax or petroleum-based paraffin. Used parchment paper isn’t recyclable either as it may be stained with food or cooking oils.
The short fibers that make up tissue paper prevent it from being recyclable. However, it is compostable and breaks down quickly in your compost bin. Napkins and paper towels are not recyclable either as they are a very low grade of paper.
They are both made from paper that may have been recycled five to seven times, thus the fibers are very small and short. However, both napkins and paper towels can be composted and are considered brown material, as long as they haven’t been used to wipe up oil, butter, milk or lard.
Gift wrapping paper, paper coated with plastic, and sticky paper are not recyclable, and neither are thermal receipts. Thermal receipts contain chemicals that are harmful to the environment and to humans, thus they are neither recyclable nor compostable. Paper cups and plates are not recyclable as they may have food or grease on them, both of which are contaminants.
Any kind of paper, whether white, colored, magazine, newspaper, or cardboard, can’t be recycled if it is not clean and dry. Grease and food must never be on paper products to be recycled as grease and food will not mix with the water needed to break down the paper into fibers. If greasy or food-laden paper is put in with clean paper, the entire batch is contaminated and cannot be recycled. Thus, it all goes to the landfill.
Dear Recycle Lady,
What do I do with clothes that are wearable, but I no longer want to wear?
Let’s Avoid Waste
Dear Let’s Avoid Waste,
There are many online sites for buying, selling, or donating used clothing. These online options offer choices that are not available locally. Just google used clothing websites to see the many opportunities. There are several ways used clothing can be donated locally: The Americana Shop on the corner of Foster and Court streets in Lewisburg, Goodwill located in the Red Oaks Shopping Center at the opposite end of the shopping center from Kroger, off 219 South in Fairlea, The Caldwell Thrift Store in Caldwell on the corner of Route US 60 and WV 63, and Greenbrier Better Living located on Route 219 in Ronceverte.
As you get out your fall clothes and find ones you no longer want, consider the possibilities and choose the one that suits best. Then, sit back and enjoy all those organized closets and drawers and celebrate a job well done.
Dear Recycle Lady,
When I removed the white cap from a plastic bottle, a small white plastic band remained on the bottle that I am unable to remove. Can plastic bottles be recycled with the bands still on the top of the bottles? Also, why can’t bottles be recycled with the top on? The tops of some bottles say to leave the top on for recycling.
Top or No Top
Dear Top or no Top,
Yes, plastic bottles are recycled with the white plastic band still on the bottle. However, be sure to remove the cap before recycling. Since bottles and caps are made of two different kinds of plastics, they can’t be recycled together as they have different melting points when processed.
Large cities can recycle bottles with the caps on, but it takes specialized equipment with a pressurized system to remove the caps. Our local Recycling Center doesn’t have this equipment, so all caps must be removed. Bottles to be shipped out of the Recycling Center are crushed and baled and if a top is still on a bottle, it becomes a “projectile” and is a danger to our staff.
Dear Readers,
It has come to my attention that I omitted the word “each” following “25 pounds of oral products recycled.” It should have six boxes of 25 pounds EACH for a grand total of 150 pounds of toothbrushes, etc.!
Have questions about recycling, or interesting information about recycling? Send questions or requests to [email protected]. Dear Recycle Lady is sponsored jointly by the Greenbrier Recycling Center and Greenworks Recycling.
