Talking Trash

Monday, September 28, 2009

Have you received our expanded recycling program mailer or seen our ad?

To help you learn about our expanded recycling program, we sent out mailers -- has this handy reference arrived in your mailbox already?  We have put the mailer online (PDF, 1.63 MB):

 We're running this newspaper ad (PDF, 839 kb) as well:

We encourage you to share these links and documents with others!

-- posted by Susanne

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CATEGORIES: News , Recycling , Paper , Plastic
POSTED: 5:02:00 PM |

Monday, September 21, 2009

Our blue bin and paper recycling programs expanded today!

This afternoon, County Executive Isiah Leggett announced new additions to our recycling programs!

Specifically, the details of the expanded recycling programs are that we now accept these materials:

Commingled Materials (these are the materials which go into your blue bin)

• Tupperware™ or Rubbermaid™-type durable reusable plastic containers and lids
• Non-hazardous aerosol cans (whipped topping; spray cooking oil; deodorant; hair spray; shaving cream) and caps – note: aerosol cans must be emptied before recycling

Mixed Paper Items (include the following paper materials in your wheeled mixed paper recycling cart, or place into a small paper bag or a small cardboard box with a secure lid, or bundle)

• Milk and juice cartons (remove plastic caps from milk and juice cartons)
• Frozen food boxes (frozen vegetables and meals)
• Cardboard ice cream containers and lids
• Paper coffee and beverage cups
• Fruit and produce boxes (wax-coated)
• Juice and drink boxes

Do you have the recycling containers you need?  If not, you may order blue bins and wheeled paper carts online!

-- posted by Susanne

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CATEGORIES: News , Paper , Plastic , Recycling
POSTED: 2:40:00 PM |

Friday, September 11, 2009

We gave a composting presentation, and learned just as much

Yesterday, my colleague, Ana, and I gave a composting presentation to the Darne Bloomers Garden Club in Darnestown.

No sooner did we enter the meeting room, I whipped out my camera, and started snapping away!  Never mind the composting presentation -- we were in waste-reduction paradise!

The meeting invitations were printed on the inside of brown paper bags. Their last line read: "Please compost this announcement".

The tables were covered with brown paper (also compostable!), each sporting a different garden-related quotation.  The table decorations were arrangements of fruits and vegetables.

Delightfully-decorated "fruits" and "vegetables" -- tiny cakes! -- were among the goodies served.  These were presented on cabbage leaves, in cookie crumb "soil".

There were no plastic utentils or other disposables here!  The cutlery was wrapped in a cloth napkin package, easy to pick up and take back to one's seat.

Three labeled containers awaited the end of the meeting, and the return of silverware; dishes; and cups, glasses, and bowls (from left to right).

Congratulations on the thoughtfully prepared meeting, and on the negligible amount of material which went out as trash! 

Do you have a meeting coming up?  Benefit from the zero-waste meeting lessons learned by a US EPA employee, and check out the EPA's Green Meetings resources.

-- posted by Susanne

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CATEGORIES: Composting , Notes from the field
POSTED: 1:23:00 PM |