DOCSLIB.ORG

Nature's Recyclers Activity Guide

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Nature's Recyclers Activity Guide NATURE’S RECYCLERS ACTIVITY GUIDE WA-1425 To Naturalists/Interpreters: CONTENTS Many of us don’t realize that while we are rinsing cans and OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES 3 stomping milk jugs for recycling, other creatures are also busy Trash Hunt 3 recycling Lichens, mushrooms, sow bugs, earthworms and Litter — It’s Everywhere 4 beetles spend their whole lives recycling for nature Nature’s Dead Tree & Rotting Log Study 5 recyclers are responsible for turning dead plants and animals Mushroom Adventure 8 back into usable nutrients for other plants and animals Likewise, Where Do Things Come From? 9 humans are responsible for turning trash back into reusable materials INDOOR ACTIVITIES 12 Recycling For the Birds 12 Parks and outdoor recreation areas are great locations for Recycling Games 14 demonstrating the importance of recycling The natural setting has visual examples of cycles, recyclers and natural resources LONGER PROJECTS 17 You can use these examples to make connections between for Classroom, Home, or natural and human recycling, and between recycling and Residential Camp preservation of natural resources People coming to parks and Make Your Own Paper 17 nature centers to relax and enjoy the outdoors are generally Earthworm Castles 18 receptive to recycling hints and ideas that will help save the Microbe Garden 20 natural resources they love Mini-Composts 21 Natural Dyes 23 This activity guide book will help you teach about natural recycling, cycles in nature, and the important role people play IDEAS FOR EXHIBITS 24 in recycling The activities are organized by categories: Outdoor Activities; Indoor Activities; Longer Projects for Classroom, Home, GLOSSARY 25 or Residential Camp; and Ideas for Exhibits RESOURCES 27 Each activity is laid out in the same format You can consider the age level of the group and whether your goal matches the activity’s goal, review the background information, gather materials, and then follow the procedural steps Many of the activities have optional steps listed at the end in case you have extra time A Glossary and Resources listing are at the end of the guide for additional information This guide is designed for age 5 and older You are encouraged to tailor the activities to meet each individual group’s needs Remember that action is better than a thousand words Let them feel it, touch it, smell it, and see it—not just hear it If your audience regularly includes children younger than 5, you’ll find activities and crafts specifically for that age group in Wee Recyclers and Wee Crafts (see Resources section) WA-1425 (formerly IE-043) Updated 2016 2 NATURE’S RECYCLERS ACTIVITY GUIDE • OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES • Trash Hunt AGE: 6-12 years old Some people are promoting biodegradable plastics as a partial solution to our litter GOALS: and landfill problems These plastics are To develop an awareness made with a starch or yeast that binds the of littering and the plastic polymers together When they “break problems it may cause, down” in the environment, the starches or and to clarify the yeast decompose but the plastic polymers difference between litter, remain Biodegradable plastics help our trash, and items that are litter problem, but not our landfill problem recyclable or made of renewable resources When buried in a landfill, they do not break down for a long time because of the lack of BACKGROUND: oxygen In addition, starches and yeast may Knowing the following terms will make the contaminate plastic that could otherwise be discussion more interesting: litter and trash, recycled recyclable and non-recyclable, renewable resources and non-renewable resources, MATERIALS: and biodegradable and non-biodegradable • 1 trash bag per pair (reuse old See the glossary for definitions shopping bags) • 1 pair of gloves per pair Litter is unpleasant to see, and it can also be harmful to wildlife: PROCEDURE: • Little fish can swim through the pop- 1. Have a discussion with the group about top of a soda can and get stuck litter Explain the difference between • Birds, larger fish, and small mammals litter and trash Ask: How do you feel can be entangled in the loops of plastic about litter? Why do people litter? Why is six-pack holders picking up litter helpful to nature and the human community? Does nature litter? • Loose fishing line can get wrapped What happens to nature’s litter? around the legs, wings and beaks of 2 Explain that the group’s mission is to water birds, impairing their movement find litter in the area and collect it to and strangling them protect wildlife It doesn’t matter how big • Some wildlife may even mistake shiny or small the pieces are litter for food Animals are injured if 3 Distribute bags and gloves to every they eat pop-tops and bottle caps pair Set a time limit and boundaries to Styrofoam cups, plastic cellophane avoid stragglers Set them free on their wrappers and cigarette butts have been mission Remind them to be mindful of found in the stomachs of deer sharp-edged trash • Broken glass, edges of opened cans 4 After the hunt, gather the group in an and empty jars are all dangerous area sheltered from the wind Have the Animals can get cut, get infections and children dump their litter in a pile in front even die They also can be trapped in of the group slippery glass jars 3 NATURE’S RECYCLERS ACTIVITY GUIDE • OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES • 5 Pick through the pile Find litter that is recyclables towards educational harmful to wildlife and explain how it’s materials harmful • Create a “trash monster” or trash 6 Define renewable and non-renewable collage with the collected litter Have the children sort through the pile picking out examples of each • Draw before and after pictures of the 7. Definerecyclable and non-recyclable cleaned-up area Have the children Have the children decide whether the litter write stories to go along with their pieces should be put in a trash can to go to pictures the landfill, or in a box to be recycled • Older students might do a photo 8 Define biodegradable and non- essay of before, during, & after the biodegradable Have the children decide clean-up and the journey of the trash which litter is biodegradable and which & recyclables after they reach their is non-biodegradable appropriate bins 9 Dispose of the litter properly If time • Research biodegradable plastics How allows, use the items collected as part are they made? What might be the best of a relay race where the students run uses for them? How should they be to the litter pile and take turns placing managed when they become trash? items in the appropriate bin (trash, recycle, or compost) GOING BEYOND: • Use some of the items collected during the hunt in the Mini-Composts activity • Put the money made from collecting LITTER — IT’S EVERYWHERE! AGE: 8-15 years old MATERIALS: • 1 map of the nature center area/park GOALS: per person To raise awareness of litter and to think of • clipboards ways to help reduce litter • writing utensils BACKGROUND: PROCEDURE: Waste from food wrappers, extra 1. Discuss litter and why it is a problem, both packaging, soda cans and paper may all be at your facility and elsewhere Talk about found in your area Factors contributing to why people litter and what can be done to this problem may be too few trash cans, help reduce litter (reusable drink bottles carelessness, the wind blowing trash and food containers, recycling, more against a fence, or uncovered trash cans conveniently placed bins for trash and (For more information, see the background recycling, etc ) How can we make it easier section in Trash Hunt) for people to get trash and recycling in the right places? 4 NATURE’S RECYCLERS ACTIVITY GUIDE • OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES • 2 Give each person a map Ask them to GOING BEYOND: fill in the details of the area (building, • If the group comes up with a great parking lots, campsites, trees, play solution, tell them you’ll implement it equipment, soda machines, beaches, If it’s a school group, write to them in a fences, trash cans, streets, etc ) Display few weeks to let them know how their example graphics for the map legend solution is working 3 Ask them to circle on their maps the • Suggest that the school group do this places where they predict that the most activity on their school grounds Have litter will be found them make suggestions to the principal 4 Have the group share what types of and school board on ways to reduce litter litter they expect to find, and ask for the Suggest that they research local pollution reasons behind their ideas problems and solutions, or invite a guest 5 Go on a walk to check their predictions speaker to class to learn more In key littering locations, have them come up with solutions (for example, • Do the Trash Hunt activity from this “No Littering” signs, trash cans, and guide, or incorporate the ideas from warnings) the activity into the discussion DEAD TREE AND ROTTING LOG STUDY AGE: 8-adult as excellent habitats for a variety of organisms GOALS: known as decomposers To develop an understanding of the or nature’s recyclers decomposition process and nutrient By observing and recycling, and the role nature’s recyclers comparing these various play stages of decay, you can watch a tree gradually MATERIALS: return to the soil • magnifying glasses or hand lenses • For optional “windows”: clear plastic EARLY SEASON PREPARATION: sheets (3-6 mm thick), dark-colored 1. Early in the season, locate the following heavy fabric or plastic sheets (3-6 mm near each other: a small live tree, a large thick), saw, hammer, live tree, a standing dead tree, a freshly fallen tree, a
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Paper and Board Packaging Recyclability Guidelines
    FOR THE FU IGN TU ES R D E PAPER AND BOARD PACKAGING RECYCLABILITY GUIDELINES PAPER AND BOARD PACKAGING RECYCLABILITY GUIDELINES Helping retailers and brands specify and design packaging that can be reprocessed in paper mills 2 PAPER AND BOARD PACKAGING RECYCLABILITY GUIDELINES 3 CONTENTS PAPER AND BOARD PACKAGING RECYCLABILITY GUIDELINES Paper is a sustainable, renewable and ecologically sound choice for packaging DE because almost all paper and board is recyclable. In practice, the recyclability of 4 Plastic SIG packaging products will be determined by composition and design, and the way N they are collected and presented for reprocessing. The vast majority of paper- based products are easily recyclable. 8 Coatings FO R Paper recycling in the UK is a success story, with over 80% of paper and board 9 Peelable Solutions T packaging recovered for recycling. Paper for Recycling (PfR) is collected primarily H for use in manufacturing processes and is used as an alternative to virgin materials e.g. wood pulp. When presented it should therefore be of adequate quality and 10 Varnishes and Curable Varnishes E Recyclability of paper-based packaging economically viable to use. F As society evolves, different applications are found for paper and board which 11 Adhesives U sometimes require changes to its functionality. This is often achieved by combining 11 Alternative Barriers T the fibre substrate with another material to form a composite multi-layer laminate, U providing properties such as water resistance or a gas barrier to extend product life. These changes provide challenges for recycling, and in many instances can R 97% 12 Paper Products 3% increase the costs of reprocessing and of waste disposal.
    [Show full text]
  • Did You Know That All of These Types of Paper Are Recyclable In
    Did you know that all of these types of paper are recyclable in Massachusetts? MassRecycle has surveyed the paper mills and materials recovery facilities in Massachusetts to determine what types of paper can be recycled. Following is the list of papers that will be accepted by all of these facilities*: • Booklets • Lottery tickets • Books – soft cover • Mail – including junk mail • Boxes – for office supplies, like paper clips • Magazines • Boxes – cereal, shoe, cracker, pasta, etc • Mat board – used in picture framing • Boxes – with plastic windows • Math paper – graph and ledger, etc. • Brochures – including glossy • Newspapers – with or without inserts • Calendars – wall type • Newsprint • Cardboard – corrugated and paperboard • Office and copy paper • Catalogs • Packing paper • Charlie cards – paper MBTA tickets • Paper bags – brown and white • Clasp envelopes • Paper bags – with handles • Colored paper • Paper – lined and white • Construction and kraft paper • Paper towel and toilet paper tubes • Cover and card stock, index cards • Phone Books • Envelopes –plastic windows or labels ok • Photocopies • Fax paper • Pizza boxes – clean, turned inside out • File folders • Post-it notes • Flyers • Receipts • Glossy paper • Shredded paper in paper bags • Greeting cards • Spiral notebooks • Hanging file folders • Writing tablets Remember: You do not need to remove staples, paper clips, tape, spirals or windows from your paper prior to recycling. _______________________________________________________________________________ *If your current program takes more papers than what is on this list, please keep recycling them! The purpose of this list is to include papers common to ALL paper mills and paper recycling programs in Massachusetts. .
    [Show full text]
  • An Invitation to Recycling
    An Invitation to Recycling Begin with recycling, continue with creativity and end with a celebration. GRADES Makes for a good collaborative lesson between Science and Art K–4 teachers. Time Required: 2 class period (90 minutes) without extensions • Gather materials (see activity pages). • One week prior to this activity, have students keep track of all the paper the class uses by saving all paper recycling bins and having students make sure they discard paper products appropriately as part of the data collection process. • You might label several different bins or boxes during this time period to mark the different categories such as: white paper; colored paper; newspaper; cardboard; other. • You might also have students collect and bring in materials like bits of thread, petals from silk flowers, glitter or any- thing else that is tiny and resistant to water. • Make copies of Activity Pages (optional depending on abilities) Have students keep track of the amount of paper they use as a class in a week. Have students come up with reasons they may be keeping track of this. Optional: read a story like The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss (or any other piece of literature or story about saving the environment). Ask students to reflect and consider if the story describes anything that could really hap- pen in our lives. Discuss why humans cut down trees and what trees are used for. • Have students calculate how much paper they use in a week. This can be done in terms of # of sheets of paper, or mass, for example. To save paper, consider projecting this information onto a screen once tabulated.
    [Show full text]
  • Paper Recycling Technology Detailed Part 1A
    Paper Recycling Technology and Science Dr. Richard A. Venditti Paper Science and Engineering Forest Biomaterials Department North Carolina State University Lecture: Paper recycling and technology course introduction and objectives Dr. Richard Venditti Faculty member in the Paper Science and Engineering Program in the Forest Biomaterials Department at North Carolina State University PhD in Chemical Engineering, BS in Pulp and Paper Science and Chemical Engineering Research areas: � Paper recycling � Utilization of forest/agricultural materials for new applications � Life cycle analysis Named a TAPPI Fellow in 2012 Relevant research projects: – The detection of adhesive contaminants – The changes in fibers upon recycling – Automatic sorting of recovered papers – Flotation deinking surfactants – Agglomeration deinking – Screening phenomena and pressure sensitive adhesives – Deposition of adhesive contaminants – Neural networks to control deinking operations – Sludge conversion to bio-ethanol and to bio- materials Course Outline The US Paper Recycling Industry Recovered Paper Grades and Contaminants Effect of Recycling on Fibers/Paper Unit Operations � Pulping, Cleaning, Screening, Washing, Flotation, Dispersion, Bleaching, ….. Image Analysis, Deinking Chemicals System Design Advanced/Additional Topics Course Activities Viewing of the Videos of Lectures � Base lectures by Venditti � Guest lectures from industry leaders Homework assignments Final Exam Critical Issues in Recycling: Going deeper into the recovered paper stream
    [Show full text]
  • Sustainability Report 2019 Contents
    SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2019 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION Norske Skog - The big picture 3 Strategic vision and concerns 4 Value chain 5 CEO’s comments 6 THE UN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS 8 SDG 3 – God health and well-being 9 SDG 4 – Quality education 10 SDG 5 – Gender equality 12 SDG 6 – Clean water and sanitation 14 SDG 7 – Affordable and clean energy 15 SDG 8 – Decent work and economic growth 16 SDG 9 – Industry, innovation and infrastructure 18 SDG 10 – Reduced inequalities 19 SDG 11 – Sustainable cities and communities 20 SDG 12 – Responsible consumption and production 21 SDG 13 – Climate action 24 SDG 15 – Life on land 26 SDG 16 – Peace, justice and strong institutions 28 Consistent quality 29 Renewed trust 30 Editor-in-chief: Martine Bortolotti, Norske Skog Golbey Drafting of content: Stepping Stones, Strasbourg / Norske Skog Golbey Graphic design and creation: bk.no Photo credits: Alain Bonis, Grégory Brandel GRDF, Communication Communauté d’agglomération d’Épinal, Léo-Pol Jacquot, Adrien Kurtz, JL CD88, Michel Laurent, Groupe Maury, Benoit Rajaux, Christophe Voegelé, Norske Skog Golbey photo library Paper: Lenza top recycling white Printing: Deklic Graphique Norske Skog Golbey BP 109, Route Jean-Charles Pellerin, 88194 Golbey cedex, France http://norskeskog-golbey.com/ You can help improve this report by sending your comments to this address: [email protected] Follow us: Linkedin / Facebook / Twitter Date of publication: April 2020 NORSKE SKOG ASA PAPER MILLS 6 IN 5 COUNTRIES Skogn, Norway Saugbrugs, Norway Golbey, France Bruck,
    [Show full text]
  • Recycling and Long-Range Timber Outlook: Background Research Report 1993 RPA Assessment Update USDA Forest Service
    United States Department of Agriculture Recycling and Forest Service Forest Long-Range Products Laboratory Research Timber Outlook Paper FPL–RP–534 Background Research Report 1993 RPA Assessment Update USDA Forest Service Peter J. Ince Abstract However, contrary to earlier findings based on the 1989 RPA Assessment, results indicate that the United States still faces serious timber supply problems for softwood sawtimber This research report presents an economic analysis of the despite projected increases in recycling rates. National Forest U.S. and Canadian pulp and paper sector, and addresses the timber harvest levels are projected to decline to levels much issue of paper recycling and its projected impact on the long- lower than those predicted in the 1989 Assessment. Other range timber outlook. The report describes the structure, adjustments since the 1989 Assessment include higher data, and assumptions of a comprehensive economic model demand for softwood lumber and plywood in the United developed to simulate competitive future evolution of States, lower Canadian lumber production, lower private technology and markets for all products and fiber inputs of industrial sawtimber harvests in the U.S. West, increased the U.S. and Canadian pulp and paper sector. The model was imports of softwood lumber, and reduced softwood log linked by iterative solution to the USDA Forest Service exports from the Pacific Northwest. The net economic TAMM/ATLAS model, which encompasses the lumber and impact of the adjustments is that softwood sawtimber prices plywood sectors, timber stumpage markets, and timber in the United States are projected to increase substantially in growth and inventory. Thus, results are based on a compre- the future.
    [Show full text]
  • Breaking the Plastic Wave Report
    Breaking the Plastic Wave A COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF PATHWAYS TOWARDS STOPPING OCEAN PLASTIC POLLUTION Thought Partners FULL REPORT About The Pew Charitable Trusts The Pew Charitable Trusts is driven by the power of knowledge to solve today’s most challenging problems. Pew applies a rigorous, analytical approach to improve public policy, inform the public, and invigorate civic life. As the United States and the world have evolved, we have remained dedicated to our founders’ emphasis on innovation. Today, Pew is a global research and public policy organization, still operated as an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the public. Informed by the founders’ interest in research, practical knowledge, and public service, our portfolio includes public opinion research; arts and culture; civic initiatives; and environmental, health, state, and consumer policy initiatives. Our goal is to make a difference for the public. That means working on a few key issues, with an emphasis on projects that can produce consequential outcomes, foster new ideas, attract partners, avoid partisanship or wishful thinking, and achieve measurable results that serve the public interest. Learn more at https://www.pewtrusts.org/en For more information, contact us at [email protected] About SYSTEMIQ SYSTEMIQ Ltd. is a certified B Corp with offices in London, Munich, and Jakarta. The company was founded in 2016 to drive the achievements of the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by transforming markets and business models in three key economic systems: land use, materials, and energy. Since 2016, SYSTEMIQ has been involved in several system change initiatives related to plastics and packaging, including the New Plastics Economy initiative (Ellen MacArthur Foundation) and Project STOP (a city partnership programme focused on eliminating plastic pollution in Indonesia), among others.
    [Show full text]
  • Paper and Board Packaging Recyclability Guidelines Revision One: January 2020
    FOR THE FU IGN TU ES R D E PAPER AND BOARD PACKAGING RECYCLABILITY GUIDELINES REVISION ONE: JANUARY 2020 PAPER AND BOARD PACKAGING RECYCLABILITY GUIDELINES Helping retailers and brands specify and design packaging that can be reprocessed in paper mills 2 PAPER AND BOARD PACKAGING RECYCLABILITY GUIDELINES 3 CONTENTS PAPER AND BOARD PACKAGING RECYCLABILITY GUIDELINES D Design for the future 4 Plastic ESI Paper is a sustainable, renewable and ecologically sound choice for These guidelines are produced to help Retailers and Brands specify GN packaging because all paper and board is recyclable. In practice, the and design packaging that can be easily reprocessed in high volume F specific recyclability of a small number of packaging products will be paper mills with current “standard” pulping technology.1 The vast 8 Coatings O determined by composition and design, and the way they are collected majority of PfR collected for recycling from households or “on the go” R and presented for reprocessing. However, the vast majority of paper- is reprocessed in this way, with only a very small proportion of material 9 Peelable Solutions T based products are easily and widely recyclable. creating challenges for reprocessors. Packaging that is challenging H to recycle should be separated for treatment at mills with specialist For the avoidance of doubt, these guidelines seek to address the design facilities. 10 Varnishes and Curable Varnishes E and construction of the next generation of paper and board-based packaging. For the purpose of the consumer, all fibre-based products The overriding motivation is to optimise the quality and quantity of PfR, F should be considered recyclable.
    [Show full text]
  • Paper Recycling Technology Detailed Part 3
    Lecture Refining of Recovered Fibers Several Slides Courtesy of Dr. Med Byrd. What is Refining? Refining is a physical treatment performed on pulp fibers to improve their papermaking characteristics It is essential to the production of strong, smooth, useful paper Several Slides Courtesy of Dr. Med Byrd. Why do we need refining? Increasing bonding area by: Collapsing hollow cell walls into flat ribbons Fraying the fiber surface – “fibrillation” Making the fibers more flexible and conformable, delaminating the wall Cutting some of the longer fibers into smaller lengths to help formation Courtesy of M. Hubbe Refining The effects of refining on freeness, density, tear index, and tensile index in virgin bleached kraft pulps Secondary Fibers, Tappi Fiber Structure Thin primary wall (P), which is delicate and easily removed Secondary wall has three layers S1 – thin and not easily wetted S2 – 70-85% of total mass; easily wetted and swollen S3 - thin, waxy, warty Secondary Fibers, Tappi Fiber Structure Refining damages and removes the Primary and S1 wall layers, exposing the S2 layer Once the S2 layer is exposed and swollen, mechanical action causes the layer to delaminate and collapse Mechanical action also fibrillates the surface, cuts some fibers, and makes them less stiff and more Photomicrograph showing a refined fiber conformable with fibrillation on the surface Refining: Subprocesses The Refining Action The mechanical action required for proper refining is not a simple brushing, cutting, grinding or pounding Rather,
    [Show full text]
  • Optimizing Alkaline Sizing in Sugar Cane Bagasse Paper Recycling
    CELLULOSE CHEMISTRY AND TECHNOLOGY OPTIMIZING ALKALINE SIZING IN SUGAR CANE BAGASSE PAPER RECYCLING LILIANA BEATRIZ MOLINA TIRADO, MARIA CRISTINA AREA* and HUGO ENRIQUE VÉLEZ INTI – Celulosa y Papel, Av. General Paz 5445, B1650KNA San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina *PROCYP – UNAM, Posadas, Misiones, Argentina Received March 11, 2009 The objective of this work was the variation of additives dosage in the sizing treatment of sugar cane bagasse paper for liners and flutings, on taking into account the cycles of use, for reaching the same sizing degree in each cycle. The degradation of the physical properties under different conditions of relative humidity and temperature for each stage of the papermaking cycle was also studied. The sizing agent utilized was the alkyl ketene dimer (AKD). Cationic starch and a retention agent (a modified high molecular weight polyethylenimine) were also added. The experimental design applied was a Central Composite Design (CCD). Once the optimum dosage of additives found, the sheets were submitted to different conditions of humidity and temperature, and their physical properties were tested. Three papermaking cycles were carried out: a papermaking cycle, followed by two recycles. It was observed that a lower amount of AKD was required to reach the water absorption objective (measured by the Cobb120 test), as it progresses during the papermaking cycles, and also that good properties in liner and fluting paper could be attained in spite of the recycles, although, at 75% relative humidity (RH), the liner and fluting properties drastically decreased. Keywords: recycling, alkaline sizing, AKD, bagasse INTRODUCTION The use of recycled paper as a raw material is to variation in humidity.
    [Show full text]
  • Paper Recycling Fact Sheet
    Paper Recycling There are several locations throughout the state where different types and grades of paper and cardboard are recycled into new products. Check with your local recycling coordinator and county website to find out what is recyclable in your area. Where Paper Recycling Goes: Rock Tenn (Located in St. Paul): Recycling 100 tons of paper a day, Rock Tenn’s St. Paul location recycles approximately half of all paper recycled in Minnesota. Liberty Paper (Located in Becker): Liberty Paper recycles cardboard \boxes into paper. They prevent 200,000 tons of materials from ending up in landfills each year. New Page Corp. (Located in Duluth): With locations nationwide, the Duluth mill employs 280 people and is the top producer of supercalendered paper with an annual capacity of 250,000 tons. The mill recycles one million pounds per day. International Paper (Located in Roseville): With 21 recycling facilities across North America, International Paper consumes and markets over six million tons of paper annually. That’s approximately 10% of all paper recovered annually in the US! Paper Recycling in Minnesota: In 2011, Minnesotans recycled over 956,354 tons of paper. Despite recovery and recycling efforts, recyclable paper makes up more than 20% of Minnesota’s garbage. How Paper Recycling Helps Minnesota’s Environment: Recycling reduces air and water pollution, as well as conserves natural resources. Recycling one ton of paper saves 17 trees, 380 gallons of oil, three cubic yards of landfill space, 4000 kilowatts of energy, and 7000 gallons of water. This represents a 64% energy savings, 58% water savings, and 60 fewer pounds of air pollution! Recycling the average Minnesotan’s junk mail for a year would conserve seven trees.
    [Show full text]
  • Paper & Cardboard: What Can (And Cannot) Be Recycled
    Paper & Cardboard: What Can (and Cannot) Be Recycled Sometimes it’s hard to know if a paper or cardboard item is ok for recycling. Junk mail? Glossy magazines? Facial tissues? Milk cartons? Gift wrap? What if it has glitter all over it? Fortunately, the vast majority of the paper and cardboard that we use on a daily basis can be recycled. Generally, as long as it’s not lined with a plastic film, coated with wax, or covered in embellishments like glitter, velvet or foil, it’s accepted. Labels, plastic windows, staples and a little tape are ok to include. Here’s an overview of what is (and isn’t) accepted, followed by explanations: ACCEPTED PAPER NON-ACCEPTED ITEMS AND HOW TO DISPOSE OF THEM: ▪ Hardcover books, paperbacks: Donate; recycle only ripped out pages; or trash ▪ Paper towels/napkins/tissues: Food scrap recycling or trash ▪ Wax or parchment paper: Food scrap recycling or trash ▪ Coffee/drink cups: Trash ▪ Coated, leak-proof paper plates: Trash ▪ Giftwrap laminated with plastic film or embellished with metallics, glitter, velvet, etc: Trash [Note: regular, plain paper-only gift wrap is fine to recycle.] ▪ Photograph paper: Trash ACCEPTED CARDBOARD All cardboard (any color). Some tape is ok, but please remove excessive tape. NON-ACCEPTED ITEMS AND HOW TO DISPOSE OF THEM: ▪ Soiled pizza boxes: Place soiled part with food scraps or trash, recycle clean part ▪ Coated paper take-out containers (e.g., take-out boxes with metal handles for rice): Trash ▪ Refrigerated milk and juice cartons: Place with commingled recycling ▪ Styrofoam packaging: Remove from recyclable boxes and put in trash ▪ Plastic/Bubble Wrap: Remove from recyclable boxes & bring to store recycling bin or trash 1 WHY STAPLES, PLASTIC WINDOWS, AND SOME TAPE ARE OK: Paper mills turn recycled paper and cardboard into new paper and cardboard products, so generally, they want just paper and cardboard and nothing else.
    [Show full text]