Recycle Lady: Worms, Fair Trade and Donating Prescription Bottles

Dear Recycle Lady,

Last week you said to put prescription bottles in the trash. Have you heard about the Mathew 25 company that collects and reuses these bottles? It’s a good cause. Donor

Dear Donor,

Thanks for the information on Mathew 25: Ministries, a Cincinnati-based international humanitarian aid and disaster relief organization. They accept donations of washed, unlabeled, empty plastic pill bottles and OTC bottles of all sizes. They reuse these bottles to improve the packaging of prescriptions for developing countries. Plus, they care for our environment by keeping these bottles out of landfills. Too often pills sent to developing countries are wrapped in paper, which doesn’t protect pills from being lost, absorbing moisture, or being damaged. It also doesn’t protect children as the pills are easily accessible. Before sending your bottles: (1) remove labels, leaving no glue or sticky residue (Goo-Be-Gone or lemon essential oil is helpful), (2) wash bottles and lids in hot soapy water, (3) rinse and dry thoroughly, (4) replace plastic caps (child resistant or not child resistant) on clean, dry bottles, and (5) place in large resealable bags marked “Clean Bottles.” Mail bottles to Mathew 25: Ministries, 11060 Kenwood Road, Blue Ash, OH 45242. See https://m25m.org/pillbottles or https://earth911.com/diy/reuse-pill-bottles/ for more specific instructions.

Dear Recycle Lady,

Are there really some worms that eat plastic? Doubting Thomas

Dear Doubting Thomas,

Yes, there are worms that eat plastic. Zophobas morio , commonly known as superworms, are the larvae of the darkling beetle. They have been nicknamed super worms because they are very large worms and have very large appetites. Australian scientists fed polystyrene (Styrofoam) to some of these superworms, and they ate it. According to the publication, This Week Junior, the researchers found that enzymes in the worms’ guts broke down the plastic into digestible materials. Researchers are studying the process the worms use to break down the plastic and are attempting to replicate it. Hopefully, it can be used to help keep polystyrene waste out of oceans and landfills.

Dear Recycle Lady,

What are fair trade products? Fair is Good

Dear Fair is Good,

Fair Trade products are products that are sustainably and ethically produced by workers who are paid a fair wage. According to fairtradeamerica.org , the Fair Trade Seal is the most recognized & trusted ethical label in the world. Fair Trade coffee is one of the most recognized products and is available locally at Kroger and other locations. Other Fair Trade products include tea, sugar, clothing, chocolate, wine, decorations and beauty products.

Good News: A North Atlantic right whale has been seen in Donegal Bay in Northwest Ireland. This species of whale is one of the most elusive and endangered in the world, and it hasn’t been spotted in over a century. Seeing this giant brings hope for conservation and reminds us of the importance of keeping our oceans clean. ( fto.com )

Have questions about recycling, or interesting information about recycling? Send questions or requests to Recyclelady7@gmail.com . Dear Recycle Lady is sponsored jointly by the Greenbrier Recycling Center and Greenworks Recycling.

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