Thank you recycling volunteers!

This is the Thank You ad that ran in local papers thanking everyone for their hard work recycling at the Douglas County Fair in 2009

What goes where in Douglas County

What Goes Where?

I was perusing a recycling article on the internet today and there was this great online quiz asking readers if they knew “What Went Where”. I began taking the quiz and scored only 75%! It was then I was reminded of the fact that every state in the union, every city in every state, and even individual neighborhoods has different recycling standards and procedures.

The highlight of this experience was that it was brought to my attention that right here in Douglas County, more materials are recyclable that darn near anywhere else in the State of Oregon. All clean paper, plastics, glass containers, metal, and cardboard are recyclable along with dozens of other materials. Yet there are still some materials that still belong in the trash.

Please take the following recycling quiz specific for Douglas County. The answers can be found at the end of the article.

When doing your recycling each week…

1. Where do dog food bags go?
a. Garbage
b. Mixed Paper
c. Cardboard

2. Where do butter tubs go?
a. Garbage
b. Mixed Plastic
c. Burn Pile

3. Where do broken ceramics and window glass go?
a. Garbage
b. Glass Containers
c. Heartwood Resources

4. Where does clean tin foil go?
a. Garbage
b. Tin Cans
c. Scrap Metal

5. Where does junk mail go?
a. Garbage

b. Mixed paper
c. Burn Pile

6. Where do diapers go?
a. Garbage
b. Mixed Plastics
c. Burn Pile

7. Where do household batteries go?
a. Garbage
b. Scrap Metal
c. Next Generation Recycling Center

8. Who buys metal in Douglas County?
a. Douglas County
b. McGovern Metals
c. The Steel Outlet

9. Where does Styrofoam go?
a. Garbage
b. Mixed plastic
c. Burn pile

10. Where do compact fluorescent light bulbs go?
a. Garbage
b. Glass Containers
c. Home Depot

11. Where do regular light bulbs go?
a. Garbage

b. Glass Containers
c. Home Depot

12. Where do mattresses and box springs go?
a. Garbage
b. Thrift Stores
c. Roseburg or Reedsport Transfer Stations

Thanks for playing and remember to reduce, reuse, and recycle to “Trash Douglas County Less!” For more information visit us online at http://www.recyclepower.org/.


Answers:

1. a


2. b


3. a


4. b or c


5. b


6. a


7. c


8. b and c


9. a


10. c


11. a


12. c

Grasscycling

Grasscycling is the natural recycling of grass by leaving clippings on the lawn when mowing. Grass clippings will quickly decompose, returning valuable nutrients to the soil.
Grasscycling saves time, money, and conserves natural and human resources. Mowing time is reduced since the bagging and disposal of clippings is eliminated. Not to mention no more bags! Grass clippings add beneficial organic matter to the soil, which provides free fertilizer and produces healthy, green lawns. Grasscycling reduces turf grass fertilizer and water requirements, which can minimize toxic runoff entering storm drains and polluting lakes, creeks, and rivers.

Grasscycling also reduces the amount of yard waste disposed in our local landfill thereby saving the county money. Research has shown that lawns can generate approximately 300 pounds of grass clippings per 1000 square feet annually. This can be as much as 6 1/2 tons per acre each year! Grass clippings are too valuable to throw away, and grasscycling allows this green material to be reused in our urban landscapes.
Historically, folks have been informed that one must remove grass from the lawn to reduce thatch and to have a healthy lawn. To the contrary, this process would do exactly the opposite. There are many conspiracy theories why this all began. Just remember, leave your clippings on your lawn to settle in to nurture itself.

Many people treat their lawns like a "crop:" they (over) water and (over) fertilize their lawns to encourage excessive growth. The "harvested crop" (grass clippings) is then bagged and disposed. Proper mowing, watering, and fertilizing practices result in more moderate turf growth, yet still produce a healthy, green lawn. Grasscycling can be practiced on any healthy lawn as long as the following turf management guidelines are followed.

Proper mowing is required for successful grasscycling. It is best to cut grass when the surface is dry, and keep mower blades sharp. Dull blades can shred grass and create a potential entryway for disease. Follow the "1/3 rule:" by mowing the lawn often enough so that no more than 1/3 of the length of the grass blade is removed in any one mowing. Proper mowing will produce short clippings that will not cover up the grass surface. You may have to cut the lawn more frequently, or double cut, when the lawn is growing fast, such as in the spring, but much less when the turf is growing slowly. Additionally, raising the mowing height in the summer encourages deeper roots and protects grass from drought and heat damage.

You can grasscycle with most any mower. Refer to your owner's manual or contact a local lawnmower dealer to learn if you can safely grasscycle with your existing mower. You may need to purchase a retrofit kit, and your mower dealer can assist you in selecting the correct one. Mulching or recycling mowers make grasscycling easy by cutting grass blades in to small pieces and forcing them into the soil. You may also want to consider purchasing an electric mulching mower to reduce air pollution.

Remember to reduce, reuse, and recycle to “Trash Douglas County Less”. For more information, visit us online at http://www.recyclepower.org/