Why can't we recycle all this stuff any more?

My garbage can is overflowing with paper and cereal boxes and why can’t we recycle all this stuff anymore? Well, from my understanding, commodity prices are always fluctuating and with shipping costs in Montana prohibitive due to long distances — it just doesn’t make sense from a business standpoint. One large recycling facility in the Pacific Northwest reports that in the last few years, the price for a ton of paper has gone from $140 to $30. I get it. If something is costing you more than its value — why mess with it? That being said, I believe if we are patient, these prices will rebound at some point.

The only type of cardboard that currently has value is the corrugated cardboard. As you recycle cardboard the paper fibers get shorter every time. Paperboard or fiberboard is made of recycled cardboard which is the type of boxes that are used for cereal or shoes. It is the same with paper in that the grade of paper is determined by fiber length, which shortens after each trip through the recycling process. Have you ever heard that paper has “seven generations?” That phrase refers to how many times paper can be recycled before its fibers become too short.

What about plastic? So much plastic! Until there are some really good options in the United States for accepting plastic, instead of focusing on recycling, be a more mindful consumer and try to buy less plastic. We cannot recycle our way out of this problem. Instead, we need to encourage businesses to use less plastic in their packaging and doing so much automatic plastic bagging. I personally have had to argue with store clerks and baggers that I do not want plastic! I believe it is part of training to not mix food with shampoos, etc. — or to put a package of meat in an extra bag so it doesn’t leak on, and contaminate, other food items. All these things are pretty easy to manage with my many reusable bags that I can easily toss in the washer. And while I’m arguing with them about not wanting that plastic bag, I have then had them throw the bag in the garbage! GAAAAA! That hurts people like me!

Also, I think it is so amazing the marketing of bottled water! Somewhere along the way, it became the “healthier” option for soda or pop or a coke — whatever your favorite term is for a soft drink. Beverage companies routinely began using terms like “mountain fresh” and images of glacier and snowcapped peaks to promote water that had never come within a hundred miles of a mountain, let alone the Arctic. One columnist snarked, “We’re trying to market our own brand straight out of the tap in our kitchen sink. We’re calling it Babbling Brook.” Sounds crazy, but that is exactly what we are drinking in that fancy bottle. Then in trying to be competitive, bottlers started marketing the so-called “value-added” waters, both flavored or functional-which contains added caffeine, vitamins and herbal extracts. If you just buy yourself a fancy reusable water bottle — you are doing two things — you are not participating in consumerism and you are helping save our planet.

Batteries: There are no local or state programs for recycling alkaline batteries, however you can participate in fee-for-service programs that you can locate on-line or through Montana DEQ. Consider rechargeable batteries which are more expensive initially but you recoup the cost since they last so much longer. Some larger chain stores are part of a rechargeable battery and button battery program.

What about electronic waste? Great news here! Pacific Steel and Recycling is able to recycle most electronics — pretty much anything with a cord! There are a few exceptions such as TVs and computer monitors, so check with them if it is an unusual item. And please make sure all batteries are removed before recycling an item. Electronics contain many valuable metals and components that can be used again in another manufacturing process. According to the MT DEQ website, one metric ton of electronic scrap from personal computers contains more gold than is recovered from 17 tons of gold ore! Americans dump phones containing over $6 million in gold/silver every year!

You can make a difference!

Wanda Meredith is chair of Recycle Hi-Line