Dear Recycle Lady,
A couple weeks ago, you wrote that white tissue paper was not recyclable, but that it could be composted. What about colored tissue paper? Can it be composted? Hopeful
Dear Hopeful,
Colored tissue paper is not recyclable either, but it definitely is compostable. Made of organic materials that add valuable nutrients to your compost, colored tissue paper helps create a fertile soil that plants love and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers. Colored tissue paper also has natural moisture properties that help maintain dampness, and it absorbs any excess liquid that may be in. Before adding either white or colored tissue paper to your compost pile be sure to tear it into small pieces.
Dear Recycle Lady,
I have some shredded materials that are slicks. Can I put them in the shredded paper bin as I do with shredded white paper, or must shredded white paper and slicks be separated? Shredder
Dear Shredder,
Only materials that qualify as office paper can be shredded, bagged and placed in the shredded paper bin at the Recycle Center. Fluorescent colored paper, black, red or chartreuse colored paper, slicks, and magazines are not acceptable with office paper and can’t be mixed with it. Thus, your shredded slick materials are not acceptable with shredded office paper and must be recycled with magazines. Place the shredded slicks in a box or bag and when you come to the Recycle Center, dump them into the magazine bin. The plastic bag can then be placed in one of the Trex collection containers, and the box goes in with cardboard.
Dear Recycle Lady,
What is a green burial? New to Me
Dear New to Me,
Green burials are eco-friendly burials that have a minimal impact on the environment. Cultures around the world practiced some form of green or natural burials that date back thousands of years. They were considered to be a way of returning the body to the earth and nourishing the soil. The body is wrapped in a shroud or a blanket and buried in a biodegradable coffin. There is no burial vault, and no embalming chemicals are used. Further information and a state listing of cemeteries and funeral professionals who provide these services can be found at www.GreenBurialCouncil.org.
Direct burials are similar to green burials but are not as eco-friendly. In a direct burial there is an immediate burial of the body in a simple wooden container without embalming or viewing. Green burials or direct burials can both be followed with a graveside service or memorial service at your place of worship.
Big Kudos to Emily Shirey, her Girl Scout Troops and Greenbrier County 4-Her’s who have placed eight Trex benches in the area by sorting 1,000 pounds of plastic film for each bench and sending it to Trex Company, a producer of composite decking and furniture. Girl Scout Troop 31919 at Lewisburg Elementary has placed two benches at the school, White Sulphur Elementary Scout Troop 51150 has placed one in the WSS Park and one at the Williamsburg Community Center. Greenbrier County 4-Hers placed one at the Greenbrier County Youth Camp, one at the Master Gardener’s garden at the Fairgrounds, and one at the Recycle Center in Ronceverte.
Each of the benches was earned by sorting and bagging 1,000 pounds of plastic film to be sent to Trex. Many thanks to the local citizens who have supplied the plastic bags and plastic film by putting it in the Trex boxes at Amy’s Food, the Lewisburg Methodist Church, St. James Episcopal Church, and the Recycle Center in Ronceverte. These benches aren’t possible without your help so please continue to put clean, dry plastic film in these boxes. Frozen food bags, meat bags or dirty bags are not usable.
Have questions about recycling or interesting information about recycling? Send questions or requests to Recyclelady7@gmail.com. Dear Recycle Lady is sponsored jointly by the Greenbrier Recycling Center and Greenworks Recycling.
