Gettin' Down & Dirty with Diapers

Removing a Major Contaminant from Recycling Centers

 

Prepare for our yuckiest, stinkiest article yet! This month's eNewsletter is not for the faint of heart!

 

Did you know that thousands of diapers are found at recycling centers across the country every single day? This month we will discuss why diapers are most certainly NOT a Single Stream recyclable item, and give you some alternative options for diapers if you find yourself guilty of tossing these into the recycle bin. 

NO diapers in the recycling bin!

Above all, we need your help spreading the word about diapers. Even if you aren't guilty of improperly disposing these items, but you know someone who is putting them in with their recycling, please, forward them this article or simply let them know:

"As inconvenient as it is: Diapers (dirty OR clean) are just NOT Single Stream Recyclable."

 

                    Why & What You CAN Do:

 Unfortunately, there is no such thing as an eco-friendly single-use diaper; it is impossible to reclaim the paper used to make them and currently, there are no readily available or accessible technologies to recycle the materials used to manufacture diapers.

There are alternatives to single-use, disposable diapers of course. Compostable diapers are available (for a slightly higher cost), and the good ol' cloth diapers are always an option. Nevertheless, many people find washing them while raising an infant to be too much trouble.

 

Compostable Diapers

 

Cloth Diapers

 

There are also ways to compost certain parts of the filling in single-use, disposable diapers but the process is a messy one. This option may sound gross to some, but it is possible and practical. If you are interested, just bear in mind that you will need a backyard compost pile with material (other than diaper filling) already breaking down for this method to be effective. Be sure to do your research with this technique as there are many steps that must be taken to do it correctly. The best place to start is with an internet search for "composting diapers at home".
 

 

Although these methods are all options, the vast majority of diapers are tossed in with the trash, and at this point in time- that's the only option. Don't fall into the "wishful recycling" trap and toss your diapers into the recycling "just in case".

Improperly disposing of contaminants (like diapers) in your recycling causes problems at recycling processing facilities like The American Recycling Center. Correctly recycled materials (like paper, plastics etc.) become contaminated and their quality becomes damaged, making them more difficult or impossible to be remade into new products.

There are many reclaiming and recycling techniques for diapers currently being formulated, but at this time they are not yet fully developed or widely accessible. For now, the best place for single use, disposable diapers is in the garbage.

We understand that no one wants stinky diapers hanging around in the house more than a couple of days but it is important to remind you that your recycling bin/cart is to be used solely for the collection of accepted recyclables and nothing else.

Placing a trash-filled recycling bin/cart out to be picked up simply because you want to get rid of those diapers a day earlier is an unacceptable practice.

 

Remember: Disposable Diapers remain Trash, NOT Recycling.  Pass it on.
 

Revisitng How to Retire an American Flag: 2015

This Independence Day we would like to revisit a popular post about how to properly dispose of a well loved American Flag.

 

The 4th of July is right around the corner, and as we look forward to barbecues and fireworks, we will no doubt be producing more trash and recycling.

 

But when we think of items that we regularly throw away or recycle, the American Flag doesn’t often come to mind. That’s because we hang them proudly and the thought of throwing them in the garbage bin (or even the recycling bin) would feel unpatriotic. But many of us know it is far worse to hang a tattered or damaged flag then to dispose of it-properly.

 

But what if you find yourself and your flag in that situation? What IS the proper and respectful way to dispose of an American Flag?

First, let’s define what an official American flag is:

The U.S. Flag consists of a blue rectangle bearing 50 white stars (representing each state)  and 13 alternating red and white stripes (representing the 13 original colonies).

 

This is common knowledge to most of us, but we just wanted to assure you that the following disposal methods are only required for official American Flags. (Flag patterned bandanas and board shorts need not apply, even in July).

Read on for some important (and surprising) facts about how to retire Old Glory when it is faded, tattered or torn.

There are many ways to properly dispose of an American flag, including:
 

Ceremonial Flag Burning

Before you gasp at the thought (as I did before I read on in my research on this topic) According to Wikipedia, this method of burning is in no way haphazard or unpatriotic, rather it requires a specific ceremony, where the flag is folded (correctly,) laid on a bonfire and burned patriotically; while being saluted, or having someone at the burning ceremony recite the Pledge of Allegiance or sing the National Anthem.

 

 

 

 

This process is used mainly for individuals retiring their personal flags, at home. But what if you don’t feel comfortable burning your flag on your own? What if you don’t know how to properly fold a flag? (You can find that out here by the way) Or more logically…what if you simply can’t build a fire on your property? Another option is…

 

Flag Burial

 

To bury the flag, begin by finding a dignified wooden box - it should be of good quality and construction, as this box will serve as the flag's vessel as it is interred in the ground.

 

Fold the flag correctly and respectfully, place it in the box and then bury it in the ground.

 

You may even consider giving a your flag short "funeral". Give a speech on the importance of the flag then stand at attention as the flag is lowered into the ground. Observe a moment of silence as the flag is buried. You may even choose to mark the burial location with a small, patriotic marker.

 

Flag Shredding

You may also shred your flag. Shredding an American flag may seem violent but the US Army's Heraldry institute assures that shredding is an acceptable disposal method, provided it is done with reverence.

Use a sharp scissors to slowly and accurately separate the thirteen stripes, leaving the blue star-spangled field intact.

 

After the flag is cut into pieces, place it in a respectful receptacle and bury it following the above procedures or ceremoniously burn the pieces one by one, starting with the stripes and ending with the blue field.

 

 

Flag Recycling
 

When the code for American Flag disposal was written, almost all flags were made of cloth or other natural fabrics. But today many flags are made from nylon, polyester, or artificial materials.

 

When burned, these modern materials produce toxic fumes that are harmful to the environment and your health. Be sure to check the material of your flag before you make the choice between burning or recycling.

Many Non Profit and Private organizations have been formed to recycle flags. Contact a group like American Flag Recycling or contact your local landfill or recycling processor for more information.

 

Give your  Flag to a Qualified Organization
 

Specific United States government organizations offer services to conduct the ceremony to properly dispose of flags for no charge, upon request.

The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Boy and Girl Scouts of America and the US Military all provide this service. If you don't have access to any of these organizations, contact your city hall or local government.

 

 

A Great Local Option

Here in Prince William County, we now have a convenient and respectful option for disposing of (or recycling) our flags.

On June 14th (Flag Day) of last year, the new American Flag Collection Center officially opened at the Prince William County Landfill, allowing residents to dispose of their retired American Flags the right way.

The center is a combined effort of the Boy Scouts of America Occoquan and Bull Run Districts, the Prince William County Solid Waste Division and Keep Prince William Beautiful.

Flags that are dropped off at the center will be picked up by Boy Scout troops and given to organizations such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion, for disposal. These organizations are experienced in flag disposal and flag retirement ceremonies.

Boy Scouts are at the collection center every second and fourth Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. They instruct and aid visitors who want to drop off their flags in person, and on the proper way to fold their flags for retirement (and disposal). They also answer questions about the history and care of American Flags.

 

Recyclable, nylon flags will be sent to groups that specialize in recycling American flags where they will be ceremonially decommissioned then recycled through a process that converts the flag back into virgin grade nylon material to be used to make a new, recycled American flag!

The collection center is open during normal landfill hours and flags can be dropped off at no cost.

If you are interested in funding this important program by making a donation, visit the Keep Prince William Beautiful website, (www.kpwb.org) and note that the donation is for the Flag Collection Center.

 

I hope you all have a safe and happy July 4th, and as always...

Thanks for Reading!