Recycle Lady
PHOTO CAPTION: The Recycle Center has two bins for recycling aluminum foil, pans and cans. Aluminum foil and aluminum pans both go in the bin on the left. Aluminum cans go in the bin on the right.
PHOTO CREDIT: Lucie Refsland
BODY: Dear Recycle Lady,
I have aluminum cans, aluminum foil and aluminum pans. Can these items all be put in the same recycle bin? — Like Aluminum Better Than Plastic
Dear Like Aluminum Better Than Plastic,
No, these items do not all go in the same bin. As shown in the photo above, there are two separate bins for aluminum items. Aluminum pans and aluminum foil both go in the bin on the left, whereas only aluminum cans go in the bin on the right. When recycling aluminum cat cans, or any aluminum can with a label, be sure to remove the labels before putting them in the bin. When recycling aluminum foil, be sure it is clean. Foil with food residue, such as grease or food particles, can contaminate all other recyclables during the process of recycling.
Dear Recycle Lady,
I have a recycle question for you. Any suggestions for stainless steel? I’m in the process of cleaning out the building where I had my veterinary clinic and I have an old set of stainless-steel x-ray developing tanks. Stainless is pretty expensive to buy, but I don’t know if there are any recycling options for it. Thanks, Retired Vet
Dear Retired Vet,
Yes, the Recycling Center recycles stainless steel, but first you must determine what kind of stainless steel your tanks are. There are two kinds of stainless steel, magnetic and non-magnetic. Holding a magnet close to the tanks will determine what kind of stainless steel you have. If your tanks are non-magnetic stainless-steel the magnet will not stick and the center will pay you for it by the pound. If the magnet does stick, then the tanks are magnetic stainless steel. The center recycles the magnetic stainless steel, but does not pay for it. Either way the tanks need to be taken to the side door of the Recycling Center where someone will meet you and put the tanks in the proper place.
Dear Readers,
For the last several years, the public has been asked to cut the plastic six-pack rings so that animals and birds couldn’t get tangled up in them. Now we need to do the same thing with the strings on face masks. Reports of wildlife and birds getting tangled up in discarded masks are beginning to increase. Please cut the strings on your face masks before properly disposing of them. This small action will prevent injuries to both our wildlife and our birds.
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.
