Recycle Lady: Trees, Kitty Litter and Cellophane

Dear Recycle Lady,

What is the difference between plastic wrap and cellophane? They look very much alike. Puzzled

Dear Puzzled,

Both plastic wrap and cellophane are transparent. However, they are two different types of film. According to www.luening-verpackt.de/en/verpackungen-fuer, cellophane is a natural product that is breathable, biodegradable and compostable (in a city composting facility only); while plastic wrap, also called plastic film, is a non-breathable, non-ecological product. Plastic wrap is made from polyethylene, which is made from crude oil and cellophane is made from renewable raw materials such as wood, cotton, hemp, or other plant sources. However, www.Sierraclub.orgcautions that these natural products do not necessarily make cellophane the safest product to use as cellophane is also referred to as a bioplastic material that contains toxic chemicals. Plastic wrap and cellophane are both used to seal food in containers to keep them fresh. However, plastic is more often used as it is cheaper.

Dear Recycle Lady,

Kitty litter come in boxes that have plastic handles. Can these boxes be sent to the Recycling Center without removing the plastic handles? Love My Cats

Dear Love My Cats,

The plastic handles do not need to be removed before recycling the boxes with cardboard. Just be sure the boxes are clean and empty. Did you know kitty litter can be used when your car is stuck in snow? Just throw several handfuls under the tires to improve traction. Kitty litter can also be used on icy sidewalks and steps. One word of caution. Kitty litter will cling to shoes, so place a mat at the entryway to wipe them off.

Dear Recycle Lady,

I keep getting letters requesting donations for planting trees. Why are trees considered so important? Nature Lover

Dear Nature Lover,

Trees are one of our serious protectors against climate change. According to greatergood.com, trees absorb and store about 30% of our carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions and they produce more than 20% of our oxygen. During a down pour of rainwater, trees act as a water filter. They slow down the pouring water before it hits the ground, thus helping to reduce the amount of runoff that could include pesticides and fertilizers. Trees also help to limit soil erosion as soil is stabilized by the trees’ roots, thus trees help prevent the soil from being washed away. The leaves of trees help protect our lungs by removing dangerous pollutants from the air and they provide habitat and shade for birds and wildlife. Trees are like natural air conditioning as their shade lowers the temperature outside our homes and can help cut the costs of air conditioning inside our homes. Old trees form a dynamic system called old-growth forests. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM.gov) defines old-growth forests according to tree size, the accumulations of large dead woody material, the number of canopy layers, the species composition and the ecosystem function. According to fs.usda.gov, “our mature and old-growth forests store massive amounts of carbon, offer biodiversity and wildlife habitat, and provide clean air and water, recreation opportunities and aesthetic beauty.” The BLM and the U.S. Forest Service are charged with inventorying mature and old-growth forests, analyzing reforestation opportunities and ensuring the resilience of America’s forests.

Good News: Crustaceans act as nature’s cleanup crew for our oceans. They eat not only all the algae that is along the ocean floor, but also dead plants and animals, keeping marine ecosystems balanced. The crabs have a taste for variety, but algae are a go-to snack!

Bad News: Over 200 million plastic toilet cleaner bottles end up in U.S. landfills each year. These bottles are typically non-recyclable due to their material and content residue. Thus, they contribute to plastic pollution that can take centuries to break down. Fortunately, several alternative choices are now available.

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.