Recycle Lady: Paper Towels, Pesticides and Another TREX Project

Dear Recycle Lady,

For my Earth Day lifestyle change, I created what my mother called “grandma’s ragbag.” I had two dishtowels that were worn out, so I tore them in half and put them in a bag. Now, I have a “ragbag” with four dust cloths or cleaning rags that I throw in the washer, and they are ready to use again. No More Paper Towels for Me

Dear No More Paper Towels for Me,

Good for you! You are saving approximately 2,200 to 3,000 paper towels a year, according to ideasask.com . Plus, you are reducing waste and helping save trees, water and energy resources as paper towels are made from a combination of softwood and hardwood fibers. You are also saving space in the landfill, which is where used paper towels go. Years ago, almost everyone had a ragbag which was a bag of old, worn-out clothing, t-shirts, cotton towels, old diapers, etc. Items in a ragbag have multiple uses, save money, and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Dear Recycle Lady,

Why is the pesticide chlorpyrifos considered so dangerous? Concerned About Pesticides

Dear Concerned About Pesticides ,

Chlorpyrifos is an organophosphate that, according to www.epa.gov , is used to control foliage and soil-borne insect pests. It was banned by the EPA in 2021, but a federal court overturned this ban in 2023. According to Friends of the Earth, chlorpyrifos is highly toxic and can cause brain damage in children. It has been banned in the European Union and Canada and in several U.S. states including California, New York, Maryland, and Hawaii, prior to the ban.

Corteva, the primary manufacturer of chlorpyrifos, discontinued its production in 2020. Due to its toxicity, current chlorpyrifos labels require workers handling it to wear chemical-resistant gloves, coveralls, and respirators. Even with this maximum personal protective equipment, workers are exposed to unsafe levels of chlorpyrifos. Chlorpyrifos is also highly toxic to bees and other pollinators and may threaten their survival. Fortunately, there are effective alternatives for pest management that are safer for children, farm workers, rural communities, and the environment.

Great News: I am happy to report that Lewisburg Elementary School Girl Scout Troop #31919, under the leadership of Emily Shirey, has accepted the TREX challenge and will continue the good work of Lewisburg Boy Scout Troup 70 in the collection of another 1000 pounds of plastic film. Kudos to the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts, and the many people in the surrounding area who are contributing plastic film to this great project.

More Good News: Andean bears have been spotted by conservation experts in a new area in Bolivia. Sixty of these bears have been found in the Tarija region of Bolivia, thus bringing hope that this vulnerable species is beginning to thrive.

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.

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