I was asked this question and started another topic to answer...
RM--sorry in advance as this is totally off topic, but too specific of a question to start anew. What about recycling plastic? I recycle everything, but I have a friend that tells me that it is a waste of time to recycle plastic because it takes more energy to recycle it than you save. I know that technically, I shouldn't use plastic, and I do try to reduce, but in this disposable, plastic world, it is impossible not to rely on it somewhat. Also, what about paper vs. plastic grocery bags? That one keeps me awake at night.
I think you should start your own Q&A--ask RecycleMichael about all your environmental concerns. For those of us that want to good, it is soooo frustrating sometimes
Plastic is especially important to recycle in Tulsa as long as we burn our trash. Burning plastic can create dioxin and can cause real harm.
Sometimes burning trash can make things worse...we take something ugly like trash and make it dangerous. For many things, burning reduces the size of our trash and keeps our landfills open...plastic is different.
The only plastic truly recycled in most American communities is plastic bottles with a 1 or a 2 on them. Take almost any plastic bottle and look on the bottom for the recycling logo and look for the number. About 95 % of all bottles in the store are a 1 or a 2, but some sizes or products are packaged in plastic types 3 through 7. Avoid those sizes or containers if possible.
The argument of using more energy to recycle than we save is one I have heard before. This is from the website of the National Recycling Coalition of which I am proud to serve on it's board of Directors...
"It takes 95% less energy to recycle aluminum than it does to make it from raw materials. Making recycled steel saves 60%, recycled newspaper 40%, recycled plastics 70%, and recycled glass 40%. These saving far outweigh the energy created as by-products of incineration and landfilling.
In 2000, recycling resulted in an annual energy savings equal to the amount of energy used in 6 million homes (over 660 trillion BTUs). In 2005, recycling is conservatively projected to save the amount of energy used in 9 million homes (900 trillion BTUs)".
The paper vs. plastic bag question really depends on what you can reuse them for. I have purchased some small trash cans that are just the exact size to reuse the bags. I use paper bags near Christmas as wrapping paper. Whatever one you use, just find a way to reuse it.
Once is not enough, even for a bag.
I try to avoid as many bags as possible and have been known to tak ethe bags back the next week to use again. It usually annoys the cashier, but it is important to me.
All the stores near my work and home have probably heard my rants about excess bagging. I have a rant I call "I have enough sacks in my life".
You can hear the more experienced employees warning the new ones, "you don't want to hear the lecture"...
Next question...
When dumping stuff for recycling like newspaper, how important is removing other materials. Ofetn papers have inserts of other types of paper, plus rubber bands and/or bags. Are these sorted out during processing or does the general consumer need to get everything out?
I heard there was a recycling thing happening this weekend with a hazardous materials, computer crap drop off or something like that? You have details on this?
Anything that comes with the paper besides the bag can be put in the recycling bin or container. Inserts and rubber bands cause no real problems and paper clips and staples are easily removed as well.
Big items like binder clips should be removed.
The cleaner the material, the better, but don't worry about a little contamination in the paper bin.
The household pollutant collection event at the fairgrounds is not this weekend, but next. Here is a link from my website...
http://www.metrecycle.com/hpeMar2002.htm
The computer drop-off is being handled by Tulsa PC Power, a non-profit, and is going to be Saturday March 25th. It will be at Natural Evolutions at 5719 E. 13th.
Here is a link...
http://www.tulsapcpower.org/Dropoff/dropoffmarch06.htm
When I signed up for recycling, I was told by the woman that, in addition to 1 & 2 plastics, #5 plastics can be recycled. Was she just making stuff up?
Also, something that I cannot seem to get through to my husband--lids are never recyclable, correct?
As for grocery bags, I really like Reasors, because they are great for recycling newspaper. I store them in the bags, then toss the whole thing, bag & all, into the recycle bin (like Carlton, I take mine to school--they get paper for paper).
WildOats use to give you 5 cents when you brought back plastic bags. Do they not do that anymore?
Number 5 plastic bottles are not recyclable in Oklahoma or almost anywhere in the country. I don't know why they would say that to you.
Lids are not recyclable.
Wild Oats will still give you a wooden nickel when you bring in a bag for reuse. The wooden nickels then can be placed in a plastic bank at the store to support local charities.
I give environmental shopping tours for TCC students and other groups on a monthly basis and often use the Wild Oats store. If there was enough interest, I could do one for a TulsaNow group.
What do the different numbers on plastic mean, and why are some not recyclable?
There are seven different resin types of plastic used in bottles. Each of them melt at different temperature points and thus are hard to recycle together.
Number ones (pop, water, liquor, edible oils and peanut butter) and number twos (milk, juice, soap, condiment) bottles make up about 95% of all bottles in the average American grocery store.
The reason that the others are not recyclable is supply and demand. If there were enough of them to collect efficiently, some one would find a product to make out of them and create a demand.
Interestingly, many American cities go ahead and collect the other types and sort them out after hauling just to throw away everything but ones and twos.
I always thought it is better to teach the citizens the truth and have them help sort before we haul rather than afterward.
Great information. Thanks.
quote:
The computer drop-off is being handled by Tulsa PC Power, a non-profit, and is going to be Saturday March 25th. It will be at Natural Evolutions at 5719 E. 13th.
Here is a link...
http://www.tulsapcpower.org/Dropoff/dropoffmarch06.htm
We have sent a lot of stuff through
Natural Evolutions - probably over a quarter of a million pounds in the past year, and I can say nothing but good about those folks. I believe that they take any drop offs of single
or a few items at a time, anytime they are
open (M-F)
As a non fee based service, it costs nothing!
www.naturalevolution.com
They are good folk and have a good business in an market that is booming.
Electronic waste disposal will be very difficult in the future and poses some real potential for environmental harm.
Computers have heavy metals inside that we want to keep out of landfills and burn plants.
They seem to become unusable quickly.
Nothing in the history of consumerism ever costs so much and become worth so little, so fast.
After having this discussion, I started double checking the plastics that I was recycling. Just discovered that my mega-orange juice jug (with 3 kids we go through a gallon a day) was #7--not recyclable. Which really bums me out since it is cheaper to buy that way.
My next question is that I have heard in the past the MET has sold barrels for composting. Is there any chance they will be selling again soon?
I have a few left for $40. They are the Garden Gourmet brand that sells in garden magazines for twice the price. I am not in the retail business so call the office and make arrangements.
I also have designs on my website for making your own.
http://www.metrecycle.com/compost.htm#howtobuild
The ones you build work way better than the ones we sell.
bigger container?
ok every two weeks we have three plastic tubs full (newspapers, grocery sacks, junk mail, milk jugs, soda cans, beer bottles, etc.) and hauling all three of them to the curb is a pain in the arse... i want to know if i can use a larger wheeled container that is labeled as recycle like this (http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/B00006ICO9.01-A1921S276TP630._SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg)
or does it have to be green or do i just have to stick with the little tubs?
pisses me off that none of my neighbors participate because they refuse to "pay to recycle" and they can all afford it...
You don't have to use the little green bins, but need to use a bin that is not too heavy or too big for the workers to unload.
I think the recyclables are hand-sorted so that container in your picture is probably much too deep.
Many people keep their glass bottles in a five gallon bucket and use the green bin for the paper, plastic and cans.
My recycling bin is 4'x6' and has a tailgate. No space issues.
quote:
Originally posted by recyclemichael
I have a few left for $40. They are the Garden Gourmet brand that sells in garden magazines for twice the price. I am not in the retail business so call the office and make arrangements.
I also have designs on my website for making your own.
http://www.metrecycle.com/compost.htm#howtobuild
The ones you build work way better than the ones we sell.
Thanks, I will call today. I have tried to create my own in the past. Unfortunately, a little know secret about those of us who live near the river--we have a bit of a rodent problem. I wanted something that is enclosed completely, but don't want to spend $100.
quote:
Originally posted by brunoflipper
pisses me off that none of my neighbors participate because they refuse to "pay to recycle" and they can all afford it...
It seems so bass-ackwards sometimes. You would think that those who send everything to the landfill would be paying a premium, while those that recycle get a break.
Would be another incentive...
We are working on it.
I am in favor of a residential garbage service that offers me choices like a volume-based price.
We have also been discussing having one day of service for trash and one for recycling instead of two days a week for trash.
Recycling has been a long struggle for us in Tulsa. It is hard to get the attention of the elected officials when everybody loves their trash hauler, their service level and the price.
I keep trying to tell the elected officials that we need changes and they say "why fix what ain't broke".
Despite this, we are making good progress. Stay tuned.
quote:
Originally posted by pmcalk
quote:
Originally posted by recyclemichael
I have a few left for $40. They are the Garden Gourmet brand that sells in garden magazines for twice the price. I am not in the retail business so call the office and make arrangements.
I also have designs on my website for making your own.
http://www.metrecycle.com/compost.htm#howtobuild
The ones you build work way better than the ones we sell.
Thanks, I will call today. I have tried to create my own in the past. Unfortunately, a little know secret about those of us who live near the river--we have a bit of a rodent problem. I wanted something that is enclosed completely, but don't want to spend $100.
pmcalk, Speaking from experience: rodents can chew through nearly any container if they want what is inside badly enough. Unfortunately, this means leaving the food items out of your compost heap (with the exception of coffee grounds). Leaves, grass clippings and other yard waste will not attract them.
quote:
Originally posted by carltonplace
quote:
Originally posted by pmcalk
quote:
Originally posted by recyclemichael
I have a few left for $40. They are the Garden Gourmet brand that sells in garden magazines for twice the price. I am not in the retail business so call the office and make arrangements.
I also have designs on my website for making your own.
http://www.metrecycle.com/compost.htm#howtobuild
The ones you build work way better than the ones we sell.
Thanks, I will call today. I have tried to create my own in the past. Unfortunately, a little know secret about those of us who live near the river--we have a bit of a rodent problem. I wanted something that is enclosed completely, but don't want to spend $100.
pmcalk, Speaking from experience: rodents can chew through nearly any container if they want what is inside badly enough. Unfortunately, this means leaving the food items out of your compost heap (with the exception of coffee grounds). Leaves, grass clippings and other yard waste will not attract them.
Really? That's too bad. I was really hoping to create some good compost, now that I have a bigger yard. I always feel a little guilty throwing out all of those vegetable peels, egg shells, etc...
RecycleMichael--any suggestions?
My aunt lives on a farm outside of Stillwater, which means that every so often we have to haul her trash to the dump. (For those of you who wonder what that big mountain is by the Perkins Road turnpike exit... that's the dump. Oh yeah, and a few years ago, it was a huge ditch...)
If you've never had the priviledge of visiting a city dump like this...it's humbling. You look around and see tons of recyclable materials and excessive packaging being plowed into a hideous stew of garbage, poisons, plastics, appliances...and realize that our trash doesn't just "go away" when we toss it out by the curb.
Thanks to Micahel, the MET, and everyone else who cares enough to recycle! (One planet. One chance to get it right.)
Land Fills always seemed like ridiculous ideas to me.
"This Land is now filled. Don't ever dig here..ever...again". What a waste.
I am not a big fan of landfills either.
I think they are constant reminders of our failures. We failed to buy the right amount or build the product so it would last or even failed to recycle it.
That small mountain outside of Stillwater is depressing. What a gift for future generations.
quote:
Originally posted by recyclemichael
I am not a big fan of landfills either.
I think they are constatnt reminders of our failures. We failed to buy the right amount or build the product so it would last or even failed to recycle it.
That small mountain outside of Stillwater is depressing. What a gift for future generations.
What about the beaute of a butte being built just to the north of Mohawk Park.
I am growing very frustrated with my recycling services. Our green container is too small, and overflows between pickups. So, on one of my trash cans, I have written in large letters "recycling." I put it off to the side with the green bucket, away from the other trash cans on pick up day. Week after week, the recycling people have not taken it. In fact, the trash people take it more consistently than the recycling people. I would say something to them when they come by, but they usually come at 6 am. Has anyone else had this problem?
You should contact the city with this complaint. Call the Mayor's Action Center at 596-2100. If that doesn'r work, follow it up with a call to the public works person who is recycling coordinator. Her name is Laureen Gilroy and her direct line is 596-2859.
The recycling contractor is supposed to accept recylables in any container clearly identified as you have.
One solution is to ask for another green bin. They will bring you another one out for a one time $4 charge.
What's the official scoop about recycling paper grocery sacks with the newspaper? I use the paper bags to store and carry my newspapers for recycling. Whenever I go to a MET dropoff location, the guys empty the newspaper and return the empty grocery sacks to my trunk. I would prefer to include them with the recyclables, if this is appropriate. (At the schools where they have green bins for paper, everyone seems to dump their papers in with the grocery sacks...)
What can I do with these ink/toner cartridges? I have a growing pile of used cartridges in our office lobby. The office supply vender used to pick up their own products for recycling when replaced, but we recently switched vendors. Some of these things have free UPS shipping labels, some don't. I'd rather just take them somewhere (if its not terribly far) and drop them off. Anybody know who will take them?
I seem to recall that Staples donates money to local schools for each cartridge you recycle there.
Bingo! Thanks. I called the staples a block away from home and they said they'd give me a $3 coupon for each one. They had better have a good sized stack of those coupons...
RM, how about some ideas for how/where to recycle home fixtures. My mother recently changed out her bathroom faucets and tried to throw the old ones in the garbage (until I stopped her). Can you take these items to Habitat?
quote:
Originally posted by jne
Bingo! Thanks. I called the staples a block away from home and they said they'd give me a $3 coupon for each one. They had better have a good sized stack of those coupons...
Office Depot does it too.
The Habitat for Humanity has a retail outlet where you can recycle or purchase doorknobs, hinges, etc.
My wife loves to shop there. She has bought the neatest tables, chairs, sinks, etc.
It is called the ReStore and it is on 12th street west of Sheridan (behind Skateland).
I was reading last week that you can compost newspaper by tearing it into shreds and popping it on the compost heap. I was wondering what was better recycling it or composting it?
I would say that recycling the newspaper is a higher priority than composting it. Recycled newspaper is turned into other grades of paper such as paper towels which then can be composted.
Composting is kind of a final recycle or secondary market.
Newspaper is the most valuable and thus the most important common recyclable material.
More than 60% of the revenue from recyling groups like the M.e.t. comes from newspaper. It is so valuable, there is a company that puts containers at area schools and churches to collect paper. They accept all other grade, but newspaper is what they really want.
Thanks for that, my compost heap was getting too full anyway. Oh, curious on green issues does Tulsa have an organic vegetable box scheme? You know the ones where you sign up and get locally produced veg and fruit each week.
quote:
Originally posted by recyclemichael
I would say that recycling the newspaper is a higher priority than composting it. Recycled newspaper is turned into other grades of paper such as paper towels which then can be composted.
Composting is kind of a final recycle or secondary market.
Newspaper is the most valuable and thus the most important common recyclable material.
More than 60% of the revenue from recyling groups like the M.e.t. comes from newspaper. It is so valuable, there is a company that puts containers at area schools and churches to collect paper. They accept all other grade, but newspaper is what they really want.
What is the name of the company that places containers at schools and churches?
Where can I take my old phone books? Everyone seems to say they don't take them.
Three questions at once...I am so happy!
Tulsa has a food coop that allows subscribers to get regular fresh produce grown locally. It is an awesome service.
Go here...http://www.oklahomafood.coop/
The company that has bins at the schools is called Abitibi. The phone number is 246-9100. Here is their website...http://www.paperretriever.com/
I take phone books year-round at the M.e.t. center at 35th and Sheridan. It is in the large bin on the north end.
We will set phone book bins all over the metro area when the new books come out. The delivery is scheduled for November 26th through December 31st.
Guess we are on a different schedule--we just got new books this week. But I will go to 35th & Sheridan & drop it off--I believe that is closest anyway.
You got the other phone book.
Southwestern Bell book comes out in November and December. They are good corporate partners and help with the recycling of their books.
The other phone book company won't return phone calls and could care less about recycling.
I refuse to use the other phone book.
Wow. Can I demand they come pick it up? I never paid much attention to my phone books. Seems every time I turn around, there is another one on my porch, whether I want it or not.
I wonder if we can consider it littering?
quote:
Originally posted by recyclemichael
Tulsa has a food coop that allows subscribers to get regular fresh produce grown locally. It is an awesome service.
Go here...http://www.oklahomafood.coop/
Thanks that looks like an amazing service.
Another question for RecycleMichael...
I've heard about the trial that will offer once/week trash pickup and once/week recycling pickup. I believe the residents would get a wheeled trashcan out of the deal.
My mom gets twice/week backyard trash service. She doesn't generate much trash, but I don't think she'd like having to drag the trashcan out to the curb. Is backyard service going the way of the milk man?
Also, whenever I trim her hedge or shrubs, etc, I can easily fill over a dozen 39 gallon trash bags with clippings. (Would love to compost them or use as mulch, but don't have a chipper/shredder that would make this possible.)
Would they provide bins to handle lots of yard waste? (Which I've always thought should be separate from household trash anyway...)
There are no current plans in Tulsa to have a separate yard waste cart, but many cities are now doing that.
The cart that is being provided to the pilot area in east Tulsa is very easy to roll to the curb. We had the same issues when we went to cart service in Jenks, Glenpool and Collinsville in the last few years and we have very few complaints now.
There will probably be different levels of service offered, but the trend is to not go up to the house. There are so many security and mis-identity issues with city workers or contractors going up to homes or backyards.
Yard waste rules will not change with this pilot program. You will still be allowed to dispose of 12 bags or bundles of yard waste a week.
Instead of starting up a new thread I guess I'll dredge this one up (huh huh.. no pun intended).
Are there any plans for Curb Side Recycling for Broken Arrow?
I freaking LOVED curb side in Tulsa. I saved SOOOO much space and hassle w/ not having to bag all my Beer Bottles and what not.
Now out in BA I have to do a run once a month to the joint off what is it, 71st and 161st? And it's a pain.
Broken Arrow has curbside through a company called Gentle Earth Recycling. Call 630-0841. I believe it is $9.50 for twice a month service.
gentleearthrecycling.com
Yikes! I was willing to pay the $2-3 for Tulsa... $9.50 is pushin it :(
Thanks for the link though.
Recycling at the M.e.t. is free!
True...
But Gas + Time to go there > Time it takes me to take stuff out to the curb :(
The key is not to make a special trip. You probably drive down Elm Street every now and then. Next time, remember to pack up the recyclables and take them with you. Wash your car at the carwash next door while you're there.
There is actually a lot of energy wasted by big trucks driving around picking up the curbside. It's more environmental to drop it off at a center on your way to somewhere else.
This is actually a composting question, but I lost track of the composting thread. Can I throw tea bags into the compost pile? With cold season, I have been drinking a lot of tea lately.
Also, with Christmas approaching, and the inevitable battery-powered toys, I have a battery question. I take my used batteries to the MET--by the truck load--but I would like to invest in rechargables (we go through 100s of batteries a year). Are rechargables more environmentally sound? Also, some toys say not to use them. Is that because they have stock in Duracel, or is there really a sound reason why you can't use rechargable batteries in certain devices?
Tea bags are excellent for the compost pile, especially if they are still moist.
Batteries are quite the issue. If you use hundreds a year, that is a lot. The average American uses about 17 a year or a family of four around 70.
Batteries are full of heavy metals and acids and the rechargable ones actually have more potential for environmental harm because the metals (Nickel, cadmium, lithium) are worse.
No matter what type of battery, don't throw it away. Bring it to any M.e.t. recycling depot seven days a week. I lose $10,000 a year collecting batteries, but every single battery is a victory, especially in a town that burns it's trash.
Rechargable batteries are dramatically improved in the last few years and some can be fully recharged in as little as a half hour and can be recharged hundreds of times. If you must have batteries, rechargables are better for most people and the planet strictly because they can replace dozens of the scary regular kind.
The rule for use is to buy rechargable batteries for anything that does not have a motor. An IPod, a fixed lens digital camera, a remote control, etc.
Devices like cassette players or remote control cars will perform better with traditional alkaline batteries. Many of them come with their own rechargable battery packs, so often that is not a choice.
My real answer is to avoid batteries at any cost. Children's toys used to be just cars or dolls, now they are cars and dolls that make noise or flash lights. The child's imagination and the environment both lose.
If it takes batteries, it is not a toy, it is an appliance. I used to hate those energizer bunny ads...in the words of Elmer J. Fudd, "Kill The Wabbit".
Wow, great information, but you just made me feel incredibly guilty. Just to redeem myself, I should say that the 100s a year is probably an exaggeration. I usually take my batteries to the MET once a year, so it seems like hundreds, but probably near the 70 average. Still, I have three boys, who love all things electronic--games, trains, boats, cars, etc... Then we have the parent's stuff, like cordless phones, cameras, etc...--it all adds up pretty quickly. Sounds as though I should invest in rechargeable batteries. Maybe Santa will leave some in the stockings this year.