Dear Recycle Lady,
I know that Scotch tape on plastic film has to be cut off before recycling the film. What about paper that has Scotch tape on it? Must it be removed before recycling the paper? Curious
Dear Curious,
Yes, any plastic tape, often referred to as Scotch tape, that is stuck on paper, cardboard or plastic must be removed before being put it in the appropriate recycling bin. In fact, Scotch tape should be removed from any item to be recycled, as there are chemicals in the adhesive on the Scotch tape that prevent it from being recycled.
There are other kinds of tape in use today. Some of these tapes are recyclable, such as the paper tape on cardboard shipping boxes, and some are not.
The much-used Duct Tape is not recyclable due to its strong adhesive and polyethylene waterproof backing. Interestingly, Masking Tape is already a recycled product as it is made of recycled paper pulp. It is not biodegradable nor compostable due to the glue on the back of the tape, and it is not recyclable.
Did you know that adhesives date back to 4,000 B.C.E., when tree sap was used to mend earthenware pots? Later, the Egyptians, Romans and Greeks created an adhesive made with animal blood, bones, hides and egg whites. Surgical tape was created in 1845. It was made using gauze, cloth-backed tape and covered with crinoline, a fabric used to make underskirts and dress linings. Painter’s tape was invented in 1925 when painters struggled to paint straight lines. At that time, 3M only made sandpaper, but with the invention of painter’s tape, Scotch tape was born, and 3M added it to its line of tapes. Duct Tape was created in 1942 and was used by the U.S. Military to fix equipment, uniforms and even wounds. Cellulose tape is a biodegradable transparent adhesive tape.
Today, there are many eco-friendly, sustainable tapes available that are made from biodegradable ingredients. For a complete list of new tapes, go to www.treehugger.com/best-eco-friendly-tapes-5191708.
According to Treehugger, the Life Without Plastic Kraft Gummed Paper Tape is the best overall nonplastic tape. It is made with a natural latex glue adhesive and paper that becomes sticky when wet. Made from paper, it is 100% recyclable and compostable. The Website also lists a decorative gift-wrapping recycled paper tape, Washi tape, that is made with a nontoxic natural rubber adhesive, as well as several other eco-friendly adhesive alternatives to the conventional tapes made from plastic.
Dear Recycle Lady,
I heard that the Recycling Center is accepting toothbrushes for recycling. Are any other oral products accepted besides toothbrushes? New Recycler
Dear New Recycler,
All brands, sizes and shapes of new or used manual toothbrushes are accepted. Electric and battery-operated toothbrushes are not acceptable. Used or empty toothpaste tubes and caps, floss containers, toothpaste cartons and toothbrush outer packaging are accepted. Place all these items in the tube located on the left-hand side of the aluminum cans bin.
Items dropped into this tube go into a shipping box below. When the box is full, it is sent to TerraCycle free of charge, as postage is paid by Colgate. This free recycling of oral products and packaging is sponsored by Colgate Oral Care in conjunction with TerraCycle.
To date, the Recycling Center has sent five 25-pound boxes of used oral products to TerraCycle for recycling. Kudos to Colgate Oral Care for caring for the environment and funding this project.
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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.
