As we learned in my last post, if the recycling plant can’t sell it, they don’t want it. Why would they? So if they’re saying “NO, we don’t take x, y, and z,” it’s not because they’re being uncooperative. It’s because there’s no stable market for it. Key word: stable. They can’t take a plastic for […]
Entries Tagged as 'garbage problem'
Is your plastic rejected by curbside trash collectors? Don’t worry, it’s not about you.
March 12th, 2014 · No Comments · Plastics Recycling, Recycling, Trash Disposal
Tags:curbside recycling·garbage problem·landfill·non-recyclables·plastics recycling·rigid plastics
“When in doubt, Throw it out!”
March 5th, 2014 · No Comments · Garbage, Recycling, Trash Disposal
I know you’ve heard that little maxim. And I’m sorry to tell you that yes, “throw it out” means into the Garbage — i.e., not the recycling. And I know that’s painful for you. You WANT everything to be recyclable — but it’s not. I used to suffer from the same illness — which by […]
Tags:conveyor belt work·garbage problem·landfill·Materials Recovery Facility·MRF·non-recyclables·recycling·sorters·sorting·sorting garbage·sorting recyclables·throwing stuff out·waste disposal·working
I’m baaaaaack! And I’m going to answer all your garbage questions.
March 3rd, 2014 · 1 Comment · Garbage, Recycling, Trash Disposal
Yes. I’ve been gone a while. I took a sabbatical — what of it? I’m not getting paid for this. I’m back, and I’m going to quit being such a crabby scrooge about how bad everything is and be more informative about what we can do to help. Especially given that I’m the first one to […]
I have found my people!
September 23rd, 2013 · No Comments · Garbage, Recycling, Recycling School, Trash Disposal
I can’t help it — I’m obsessed with garbage, and with how the world is filling up with it. But I’m not alone! Finally I’ve been admitted to the Master Recycling Program, an educational opportunity coveted by so many Portlanders that there’s a waiting list for it. Yay! Yay, but boo. Yay because it thrills […]
Tags:garbage·garbage problem·inspiration·Master Recycler·Master Recycling Program·recycling·recycling education·Recycling School·waste disposal
Bad News for Rigid Plastics: China sings the Elvis song.
August 1st, 2013 · No Comments · Disposability, Manufacturing, Recycling, Trash Disposal
She wrote upon it: Return to sender. Address unknown. No such number. No such zone. China’s mad. Yes, China — the one who buys most of the world’s discarded plastics so that we can buy fright-loads of manufactured plastic doodads back from them — has had it. Reason? They’ve been getting boat-loads of plastic with […]
Tags:cheaply made goods·China·China buys plastics·garbage problem·landfill·plastics·recycling·rigid plastics·waste disposal
A new look at rechargeable batteries?
July 11th, 2013 · No Comments · Batteries, Disposability, Toxic Waste
Like everyone, I had my little love affair with rechargeable batteries. I had two sets for my camera, and a recharger that I plugged in overnight so I’d always have one set at the ready. It was great at first. The next morning those batteries would be all a-glow, ready to take on the world. […]
Tags:batteries·environmental toxins·garbage problem·landfill·rechargeable·rechargeable batteries·toxic waste
What to do with spent batteries
July 8th, 2013 · No Comments · Batteries, Disposability, Toxic Waste, Trash Disposal
Do you know someone who tosses used batteries back into the drawer with the NEW batteries? What’s up with this sick habit? I can explain. But first, let me complain. The next person, naturally assuming the batteries pulled from the new-battery-drawer to be new, finds that the appliance still doesn’t work and starts down a […]
Tags:batteries·garbage problem·landfill·toxic waste·waste disposal
Where to get rid of Styrofoam blocks in Portland
June 13th, 2013 · 4 Comments · Disposability, Packaging, Polystyrene, Recycling, Trash Disposal
I have to admit I’ve been feeling somewhat holy about going to the trouble of schlepping our huge Styrofoam blocks out to one of the only two places in Portland that will take them. I feel less holy after what I’ve just found out. …. which I’ll tell you about in a minute. But first […]
Tags:cheaply made goods·garbage problem·landfill·non-recyclables·packaging·polystyrene·recycling·Styrofoam·throwing stuff out·waste disposal·wasteful packaging
Why we don’t want to be inhaling or swallowing Styrofoam
June 10th, 2013 · No Comments · brain theory, Consumer Issues, Disposability, Trash Disposal
It’s not rocket surgery. All you have to do is watch the surface of any hot liquid in one of those Styrofoam cups to see it forming a slick on your drink. When every cell in my body goes “Ew!” I pay attention. I may not be a scientist, but my body knows a few […]
Tags:disposable·disposable food containers·food containers·garbage problem·landfill·non-recyclable food containers·non-recyclables·polystyrene·Styrofoam·Styrofoam food containers·take-out food containers·throwing stuff out
We’re all eating Styrofoam
June 6th, 2013 · No Comments · Consumer Issues, Decluttering, Disposability, Packaging, Polystyrene
See the big blocks of Styrofoam cluttering up your garage or basement. Does the thought of taking a big bite out of one of them repulse you? Surprise! — we’re already essentially doing that. Styrofoam, a brand name for polystyrene, takes 500 years to decompose. When we throw it away, it doesn’t break down in […]
Tags:environment·environmental toxins·excessive packaging·garbage problem·making a difference·packaging·polystyrene·Styrofoam·toxic·toxic materials