Here are a few easy-to-implement strategies that Master Recyclers can use to encourage area residents to minimize both downstream and upstream costs of food waste.
Tour of Arlington Landfill
"Compostable" Plastic Does it Fit in the Portland Metro Area?
New containers that look like plastics but are labeled “compostable” or “polylactic acid (PLA)” are appearing in delis, grocery stores, and fast food restaurants. As well-meaning businesses work to green their practices, many are turning to these new, usually corn-based, products.
It may initially appear that disposable containers made from corn instead of traditional natural gas or oil should have environmental benefits. When considering the use of any new “green” material, consumers must ask whether the environmental benefits are real. We must also weigh potential gains against new problems the material may cause. It is important to ask if such a switch saves or uses more natural resources and energy and whether it reduces or increases carbon emissions to curb climate change.
2008 Recycling Markets Strained
With a sluggish commodities market, materials are not moving as quickly as they were even a year ago. At that time, the value of plastic, paper, metal and cardboard was high so recyclers were creative in finding new markets for odd materials. Unfortunately,recyclers are tightening their belts just like the rest of us. The Master Recycler Plastics Roundups have been postponed and local depots are finding they need to reduce some of the materials they can accept. Curbside materials have more consistent markets and were chosen because they can weather these types of ups and downs.
Now Master Recyclers are left asking “What should I tell people?”
