[Vision2020] Recycling

Wed Sep 5 15:09:52 PDT 2018

There will always be exceptions...

Andy Boyd
Research & Development
Latah Sanitation/Moscow Recycling/Clearwater Composting
208 596 0584
andyb at latahsanitation.com
moscowrecycling.com

On Wed, Sep 5, 2018 at 2:50 PM Janesta Sullivan <janesta at gmail.com> wrote:

> People who are disabled or in the hospital need to use straws.
>
> On Wed, Sep 5, 2018, 4:44 PM Andy Boyd <andyb at latahsanitation.com> wrote:
>
>> Oh,
>> one thing i would like to say about plastic straws vs. paper straws, how
>> about no straws!!
>> *making* paper products is worse for the environment then *making*
>> plastic products.  neither will end up getting recycled...
>> If you have to use a straw, purchase metal reusable straws.
>>
>> Andy Boyd
>> Research & Development
>> Latah Sanitation/Moscow Recycling/Clearwater Composting
>> 208 596 0584
>> andyb at latahsanitation.com
>> moscowrecycling.com
>>
>>
>> On Wed, Sep 5, 2018 at 2:40 PM Andy Boyd <andyb at latahsanitation.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> interesting article on plastics
>>>
>>>
>>> https://www.houstonchronicle.com/local/gray-matters/article/plastic-pollution-movement-future-products-13188586.php?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter%20Weekly%20Roundup:%20Waste%20Dive%2009-01-2018&utm_term=Waste%20Dive%20Weekender
>>>
>>> Andy Boyd
>>> Research & Development
>>> Latah Sanitation/Moscow Recycling/Clearwater Composting
>>> 208 596 0584
>>> andyb at latahsanitation.com
>>> moscowrecycling.com
>>>
>>>
>>> On Tue, Sep 4, 2018 at 9:28 PM Ted Moffett <starbliss at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Thanks for the information, Andy.
>>>>
>>>> I wondered about the "compostable plastic" being as wonderful a
>>>> sustainable option as it might sound!
>>>> I guess it is not as wonderful as it sounds!
>>>>
>>>> With environmental, sustainable and "green" marketing strategies,
>>>> even from progressive environmental
>>>> organizations, it can be difficult to sort out the "greenwash" from the
>>>> realistic "bottom line" impacts.
>>>>
>>>> A lot of people want to do the right thing for sustainability...
>>>> But if it means a major sacrifice in their lifestyle or materialistic
>>>> consumptions habits, well, you know how
>>>> that goes!  I'm a major offender in this regard.  And I am likely worse
>>>> ethically than manty people,
>>>> given how acutely aware I am of what is at stake for our Earth and
>>>> future generations.  Ignorance
>>>> can indeed be bliss!  At least a dumbed down version...
>>>>
>>>> I'm reminded of author Henry Miller commenting that he was far worse a
>>>> human being than
>>>> many people, given (I am largely paraphrasing) his awareness of the
>>>> madness of human society,
>>>> yet he was unable or unwilling to stop it!
>>>>
>>>> Oh well!  I guess picking up the aluminum beer cans that litter the
>>>> rural roads of Latah County
>>>> by the hundreds likely thousands is still a nano-sustainable effort, if
>>>> recycling the cans.  Especially
>>>> if hauling the cans on a bicycle; maybe a bit lower energy/fossil fuel
>>>> resource extractive impact...
>>>>
>>>> I have been amazed by how many aluminum beer cans are  hidden embedded
>>>> in the weeks and grass etc.
>>>> along rural roads in Latah County, long abandoned!  The problem is,
>>>> they are often so full of dirt and
>>>> debris they are not easily suitable for recycling.
>>>>
>>>> Vision2020 Post: Ted Moffett
>>>> ***** Original material contained herein is Copyright 2000 through
>>>> life plus 70 years, Ted Moffett.
>>>> Do not copy, forward, excerpt, or reproduce outside the
>>>> Vision2020.Moscow.com <http://vision2020.moscow.com/> forum without
>>>> the
>>>> express written permission of the author.*****
>>>> ----------------------------------------
>>>> On Tue, Sep 4, 2018 at 3:18 PM Andy Boyd <andyb at latahsanitation.com>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> OK all, I will try to answer some of these questions.
>>>>>
>>>>>  "The council voted to eliminate some plastics; all plastic bags;
>>>>> aluminum foil; foil trays, pots and pans; shredded paper; and aseptic
>>>>> packaging commonly used for juice and broth ...Davis said shredded paper
>>>>> and pots and pans will still be accepted at the recycling center but not in
>>>>> the single-stream program.
>>>>>
>>>>> From the City Council agenda, plastics code 3-7 will no longer be
>>>>> accepted. Personally, I think that asking users to eliminate certain
>>>>> plastics from single-stream will lead to more contamination."
>>>>>
>>>>> Plastic grocery sacs can still go to Safeway, need to see if WinCo
>>>>> takes them but I know our local Walmart and Rosauers don't.
>>>>>
>>>>> The only plastics that will be accepted at the curb and Moscow
>>>>> Recycling will be plastic bottles and jugs with screw top lids.  This is
>>>>> primarily #1 and #2 plastics with screw type lids.  We will continue to
>>>>> take clean #2 buckets (like kitty litter) and large planter containers for
>>>>> reuse.  However, many of these get thrown away if not collected by patrons
>>>>> for reuse.  Most of the 3-7 plastics have a limited, or no market.  Many
>>>>> programs started accepting the larger variety of plastics to ensure they
>>>>> would receive as many of the marketable plastics as possible (1s and 2s).
>>>>>
>>>>> We will also continue to take clean foil and trays at Moscow Recycling.
>>>>>
>>>>> Regarding Aseptic packaging, this includes the soy, almond milk type
>>>>> containers.  These have layers of foil and plastic in them.  This is why
>>>>> they do not require refrigeration at the store.  Milk cartons, OJ cartons,
>>>>> etc. that require refrigeration at the store will continue to be accepted
>>>>> as they do not have these extra layers of materials.  Aseptic packaging is
>>>>> recyclable but most Sort Facilities don't sort them into a separate  stream
>>>>> so they end up at paper mills that can't recycle them.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Saundra Lund v2020 at ssl1.fastmail.fm via
>>>>> <https://support.google.com/mail/answer/1311182?hl=en&authuser=1>
>>>>> moscow.com
>>>>> Sep 1, 2018, 9:45 AM (3 days ago)
>>>>> to rhayes, Moscow
>>>>>
>>>>> "Maybe it’s the well-recognized phenom of aspirational recycling?  If
>>>>> so, even though it causes significant problems, it’s a good thing because
>>>>> it’s an indicator that those people actually care about the environment &
>>>>> more education seems to work."
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> *Our aspirational or wishful recyclers also add to the cost of the
>>>>> program as the City is charged a per ton fee for the contaminated portion
>>>>> of the single stream program.  Now whether this is because an individual
>>>>> wants very badly to recycle an item or they don't want to pay for extra
>>>>> trash is up for speculation!!*
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> *"Also, as the article Ron shared pointed out, I’m glad China is
>>>>> apparently finally more concerned about pollution even if it does make
>>>>> finding markets for recyclables more challenging – maybe that challenge
>>>>> will push progression in packaging R&D."*
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> *This is the real solution to the plastic dilemma and other waste
>>>>> products as well.  Companies need to make there packaging recyclable
>>>>> instead of marketable.  For example, England places their toothpaste on the
>>>>> shelf without a box.  In the US a box makes the shelf look better and
>>>>> allows for more marketing.  Does toothpaste really need a box!! Lots of
>>>>> packaging can be done away with all together.*
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> *"This seems to be a good opportunity to ask:  our single stream
>>>>> curbside recycling program is apparently going to cut back in some pretty
>>>>> dramatic ways (we’re still hurting over the glass in this household), at
>>>>> least, that’s what was discussed at the meeting."*
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> *Sorry about the glass but we still take it at MR.*
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> *As Ted points out, glass weighs a lot so many companies have made
>>>>> this switch to reduce costs.*
>>>>>
>>>>> *As Ted points out, REDUCE is the most important "R". I have tried to
>>>>> eliminate most plastics in my purchasing. This is very difficult for some
>>>>> products, especially those in clam shell containers.*
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> *"Force mentioned could be or might be contained in compostable
>>>>> plastic, which is perhaps better than a disposablecontainer?*
>>>>>
>>>>> *Read here:  http://www.worldcentric.org/biocompostables/bioplastics
>>>>> <http://www.worldcentric.org/biocompostables/bioplastics>*
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> *Compostable Plastics Quick Facts - Generally Freezer safe- Depending
>>>>> on resin can handle hot food till 200F.- Fully compostable in commercial
>>>>> composting operations- Feel and look like plastics for the most part"*
>>>>>
>>>>> *Regarding compostable containers.  These are only "better" if they
>>>>> end up getting composted in a commercial composting operation.  Also, not
>>>>> all compostable plastics compost well.  There is a high degree of
>>>>> variation.  Further, a compostable container requires more energy, water
>>>>> and oil to produce than a traditional plastic container, not to mention it
>>>>> takes crop land out of production for human food production.  Finally,
>>>>> compostable plastic alternatives are a contaminate if they end up in the
>>>>> plastic recycling stream.*
>>>>>
>>>>> *And be sure to stay away from any single use item!!*
>>>>>
>>>>> *I think I hit most of the talking points. Let me know if you have any
>>>>> further inquiries.*
>>>>>
>>>>> *Thanks*
>>>>>
>>>>> *Andy Boyd*
>>>>>
>>>>> *Research & Development*
>>>>>
>>>>> *Latah Sanitation/Moscow Recycling/Clearwater Composting208 596 0584*
>>>>>
>>>>> *andyb at latahsanitation.com <andyb at latahsanitation.com>*
>>>>>
>>>>> *moscowrecycling.com <http://moscowrecycling.com>*
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> *On Thu, Aug 30, 2018 at 4:41 PM rhayes at frontier.com
>>>>> <rhayes at frontier.com> <rhayes at frontier.com <rhayes at frontier.com>> wrote:I
>>>>> tend to take my recycling to the bins at the center rather than drag the
>>>>> green curbside out to the street with my meager offerings. I am careful to
>>>>> separate the various materials into the proper categories and deposit them
>>>>> accordingly. When I look into the bins at the recycling center, I am
>>>>> appalled at the garbage I see in them/  A few weeks ago I saw an inflatable
>>>>> swimming pool taking up a good portion of the mixed plastic bin. On
>>>>> Wednesday this week I took my recyclables and saw tin in the aluminum bin,
>>>>> aluminum in the plastic bin, and a whole lot of just plain trash in a lot
>>>>> of the bins.  No wonder the market for recyclables is going downhill. Too
>>>>> much containments in the stream. Are people uneducated about what and what
>>>>> quality is recyclable, or just too lazy to care? Roger*
>>>>>
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