Letter to the Editor - Recycling

Some years ago I visited with a childhood friend residing in Hamburg, Germany. I was surprised to find strict rules of recycling every resident is required to observe. As many as eight containers for sorting stood in her garage. Our requirements are far more relaxed, nevertheless those interested in recycling should be aware of the many advantages, not the least of them to save money. Recycling is both easy and rewarding. Here are some of the things I do:

I keep a covered bucket right outside my kitchen door and fill it with peelings and parings from fruits and vegetables. When full, I strew it about my garden under the plants. It stinks a bit but quickly disperses, soaks into the soil and your plants will thank you for it. I did start a compost pile some years ago only to have the animals strew it about, so I followed their example. If you are a gardener it will save a lot on fertilizer.

Wood ash from your stove is another fertilizer, especially for woody plants such as lilac. I also spread it around my barn as the snakes and skunks don't like it. Wood ash is alkaline, so be careful not to treat acid loving plants like Camellia, Azalea, Rhododendron, etc.

Fallen leaves from my trees are mulched with my lawn mower and spread in the garden to keep weeds down and keep the ground moist and soft. Saves water and PG&E bills also your well pump. Left over leaves are raked under fences to inhibit the weeds.

I pick up fallen twigs from my trees and stuff them into saved small paper bags to use as kindling in my stove. Saves buying kindling or fire starters.

I usually take my own bags to the grocery store, but if I have to use store bags I always ask for paper. These I stuff with newspapers, periodicals, unwanted advertising and other papers and carry them down to the recycling center. Same with cardboard.

Whenever I order printer supplies such as cartridges I always ask them to ship in padded plastic envelopes. These I save up to store used cartridges to return for recycling. Most companies send you a FREE return shipping label via the Internet.

For cans, bottles, plastic, try asking for discarded restaurant crates sometimes found at the dump or maybe the SPCA. If you can't find crates, use large plastic bags and bring them home for reuse. Incidentally plastics come with a little triangle containing a number on the bottom of the container. Those are recyclable.

As for Anti-freeze, we always have a once-a-year collection for paint and other toxic liquids, announced well in advance. Otherwise try the auto shops, they may even be willing to dispose of it for you.

By doing all of the above (certainly not a lot of work), your garbage should be down to nothing more than some spoiled food, or misc. small items. That should be a big saving in dump fees.

Try it, you'll like it.

Lucille Apcar
Mariposa