Dear Recycle Lady,
Last week I was at the Recycling Center and one of the employees kindly told me about TerraCycle’s Colgate Oral B Recycling Program that recycles all brands and kinds of new or used toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes, and floss containers. What is TerraCycle and what products do they recycle? Avid Recycler
Dear Avid Recycler,
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 both easy-to-use free recycling programs funded by manufacturers and retailers around the world, as well as a wide range of recyclables that are sent to TerraCyle in a pre-purchased box. Primarily run as a volunteer-based recycling platform, TerraCycle collects non-recyclable pre- and post-consumer wastes in cooperation with corporate donors or municipalities. They turn the collected recyclables 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 recyclable waste. They offer both free shipping labels and pre-paid labels that can be downloaded on your computer to send your recyclables for recycling. Additionally, there is a rewards program available for your school or favorite non-profit.
Dear Recycle Lady,
What is Greenwashing? Want to Know
Dear Want to Know,
Greenwashing is a form of unethical marketing by companies to convince consumers that the company, its products, or its services are eco-friendly. Terms such “natural,” “sustainable,” and “made from real ingredients” are used to attract customers who want to make responsible choices. Earth911 describe greenwashing as “when companies exaggerate, mislead, or outright lie about their credentials.” Greenwashing perpetuates a cycle of unsustainable consumption and hampers progress toward environmental sustainability. In the last few years, countries around the world have been implementing anti-greenwashing legislation and more companies are being fined for misleading consumers. According to Earth.com, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Nestle made commitments to “cut back on waste” yet it turned out that the three companies led the world in plastic pollution. According to earth911, Volkswagen paid $34.60 billion in fines and settlements for misleading their customers using software in their cars that recorded lower greenhouse gas emissions when, in reality, they had 40 times the amount of nitrogen oxide pollution permitted by U.S. law. Toyota was found guilty of greenwashing when it failed to report defects in their emissions and the recall process. Kohl’s and Walmart paid a total of $5.5 million after the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) found them guilty of advertising products as being made with bamboo when they were made from other materials including rayon that has a negative impact on the environment due to its semi-synthetic material. Keurig paid a $2.2 million fine for misleading claims about the recyclability of its coffee pods. For a complete listing of companies that have paid fines for greenwashing see www.earth911.com/how-and-buy/which-companies-have-paid-the-biggest-greenwashing-fines.
Dear Recycle Lady,
I am reorganizing my desk and I now have a multitude of manila folders. Can these folders be recycled with cardboard? Organizer
Dear Organizer,
Yes, your manila folders can be recycled. If you take them to the Recycling Center, put them in the cardboard bin. To prepare them for curbside pickup, tie a cord or string securely around the top and bottom of the folders and then around the sides of your folders. Another alternative is to put your folders in a plastic bag, tie the top of the bag, and put it out for curbside pickup. Have you considered reusing your folders? New adhesive labels are now available for relabeling your used folders. If you are replacing your folders, consider purchasing recycled folders that are now available.
Have questions about recycling, or interesting information about recycling? Send questions or requests Recyclelady7@gmail.com. Dear Recycle Lady is sponsored jointly by the Greenbrier Recycling Center and Greenworks Recycling.
