Inside this issue

Coping with Contamination
Battery Solutions
Green Mowing Tips
Perils of Plastic
Pollution
Natural Pest Control
Cash for Cans
Tire Collection
Placemat Contest
Curbing Contamination

Coping With Contamination

Contamination is the biggest obstacle facing recycling programs. When non-recyclable material is placed in community recycling bins, sorting equipment gets jammed, processing fees rise, and the entire procedure becomes inefficient. It is a problem that the recycling industry is facing around the world.

In Mahoning County, recycling personnel and local officials are developing ways to cope with contamination. Republic Services has implemented a public educational campaign that includes issuing “OOPS” tags to curbside customers who are recycling incorrectly. To date, over 10,000 “OOPS” tags have been distributed and more are on the way.
In Austintown, a new gate has been erected to close the drop-off site when bins are full and capacity has reached a maximum. After experiencing several weeks of open dumping at the site, township officials determined that the best way to control the matter was to limit access as needed.

In Milton Township, a “high tech” camera has been installed at the drop-off site to catch people in the act of violating rules. Township police officers begin by issuing warnings to violators, which is usually sufficient. However, if the problem cannot be solved by issuing a warning, a citation may be warranted. Currently, 3 citations have been issued and cases are pending.

It should be noted that all 27 drop-off sites in Mahoning County have signage on their bins that list materials that are and are not accepted. Recently the sites added signage that addresses the issue of open dumping, all in an effort to curtail the problem.

Contamination is an obstacle to recycling programs but it is hoped through proactive measures, this obstacle can be overcome. If you would like more information on recycling and correct procedures, contact the Green Team. We’re always here to help.

Battery Solutions

The Green Team’s household battery recycling program has been going strong for over twenty years. However, battery bins, located at Mahoning County libraries, have now become inaccessible due to Covid 19. This doesn’t mean that you should stop recycling your batteries. There are other solutions. Both Green Twp. and Goshen Twp. have special collection containers for batteries. Just be sure to exclude those containing lithium. Rechargeable batteries may be recycled at several retail locations in the area. Please refer to our website to view a list.

Green Twp. (left) and Goshen Twp. (right) provide battery recycling to the public.

Earth-friendly Tips for Greening Your Grass

Now that summer is in full swing, you’ll probably be spending a lot of time outdoors. Hopefully that time will be spent on recreational activities, but realistically, much of that time will be spent mowing your yard. To improve the environment and decrease the amount of time you spend on lawn maintenance, the Green Team offers the following Earth-friendly advice:

Don’t bag grass clippings. Grass clippings are up to 85% water and decompose rapidly. When left on your yard, grass clippings release valuable nutrients back into the soil, making your lawn more vigorous and durable.
Mow when your grass is dry and 3” to 4” tall. This height will allow your lawn to have a larger and deeper root system making a stronger defense against weeds and droughts.
Don’t over-fertilize your lawn. If it becomes too dense with growth, your clippings won’t reach the soil to decompose.
Eliminate the use of lawn chemicals. Save money and allow soil organisms to return nutrients to the soil by first correctly diagnosing lawn problems and applying organic treatments as needed.

These are a just few suggestions for low maintenance lawn care. For more information, contact the Green Team.

The Perils of Plastic Pollution

A disturbing incident took place recently at Melbourne Beach, Florida. Scientist found a sea turtle that was having digestive issues and discovered the cause. The turtle had a large piece of plastic marine debris lodged in its gastrointestinal track and when scientists removed the obstruction there was more. Over the course of a month, scientist learned that the turtle had also ingested 4 types of latex balloons, 9 different types of soft plastic, 4 different types of hard plastic, a piece of carpet-like material, and 5 different types of string. Thank goodness scientists reached this turtle in time.

Unfortunately, the increased use of plastic has lead to an increased amount of plastic pollution and the toll it’s taking on wildlife is worrisome. Because conditions rarely exist for plastic to photodegrade, it remains in our environment for prolonged periods of time causing damage every step of the way. The best tactic to combat this problem is to consume less plastic. Suggestions include refusing to participate in balloon releases, shopping with a reusable tote bag and skipping the straw. Other ways to reduce plastic include making wise packaging decisions when you shop.

For more plastic reduction tips, contact the Green Team.

Environmental Quote

“Only we humans make waste that nature can’t digest.”

~ Charles Moore
Oceanographer who discovered the Great Pacific Garbage Patch

Plastic Free July

If you’re sick and tired of the tremendous amount of plastic in circulation, consider joining the “Plastic Free July Challenge.” For information about this effort, visit https://www.facebook.com/PlasticFreeJuly/

Repel Mosquitoes Naturally

How would you like to brighten your flowerbeds, flavor your food, support wildlife, and repel mosquitoes in your yard? If your curiosity is piqued, please continue.

Mosquitoes are pesky insects that annoy people and carry diseases. However, instead of using dangerous chemicals to control the situation, try an Earth-friendly approach as an alternative. Flowers such as marigolds and geraniums repel mosquitoes naturally while adding beautiful color to your landscape. The flowers also provide nectar for pollinating insects.

There are several herbs that repel mosquitoes. Basil, rosemary, sage, and peppermint are a few varieties that will not only fend off mosquitoes, but will provide seasonings for your some of your favorite recipes.

While plants are effective in repelling mosquitoes, they are only part of the solution. To boost your efforts, consider building a bat house. According to batrescue.org a single bat can consume up to 1,000 mosquitoes per hour. Attracting bats to your backyard will greatly reduce the mosquito population and provide valuable habitat for an endangered species.

I hope you’ll consider taking an Earth-friendly approach to pest control this summer. By doing so, you’ll create a better environment for everyone.

To view instructions for building a bat house visit:
www.diynetwork.com/how-to/outdoors/gardening/how-to-build-a-bat-house

Mahoning County Schools Earn High Marks for Recycling Cans

Congratulations are in order for several Mahoning County schools in recognition of their exemplary recycling efforts. In the county-wide “Cash for Cans” Contest, numbers are quite impressive. Thirteen participating schools collected a total of 4,018 pounds of beverage cans earning $1,961.20. The breakdown is as follows:

School Pounds Collected Enrollment

Damascus Elem. 810 395

Glenwood Junior High 758 690

Jackson - Milton Elem. 444 400

Western Reserve Elem. 334 271

West Blvd. Elem. 328 378

St. Christine 317 330

St. Charles 303 290

St. Nicholas 285 189

St. Joseph the Provider 201 173

Knox Elem. 111 338

Holy Family 72 260

Center at Javit Court 39 89

Stadium Drive Elem. 16 365

A special thank-you goes out to everyone involved in this worthwhile project. Mahoning County can take great pride in knowing that its youth are helping to preserve our precious environment through their outstanding recycling efforts.

A Solution for Scrap Tires

Ohioans generate 12-14 million scrap tires per year and this waste, if not managed properly, poses significant problems for the environment. Littered tires collect water which provides breeding grounds for disease-carrying mosquitoes. Illegal tire dumps are unsightly and often lead to harmful fires. So...what’s the answer to this problem? The answer is simple. When you purchase new tires, make sure you allow the tire dealer to keep your used tires for recycling or proper disposal. The nominal fee charged for this service is a small price to pay for protecting our precious planet. However, if you have neglected to participate in a tire take-back program, there is another option. Goshen Twp. is hosting a tire recycling drive at their drop-off site located at 12649 Seacrist Rd. on Sept. 19 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. The event is open to Mahoning County residents; restrictions & fees may apply. For more information call 330.205.4204.

Extend the life of your tires by:

checking tire pressure on a weekly basis.
visually examining tires for cuts & holes.
rotating tires every 6,000 miles driven.
keeping tires properly aligned.

Placemat Winners Recognized by Mahoning County

The Green Team recognized nine students who won first place out of 748 entries in the Green Team’s 2020 Earth Day Placemat Contest. Due to cancellations of in-person award ceremonies, each winner’s art work was posted on Facebook for everyone to share. The winners and their schools are: Vivian Miletta Poland Union Elem; Evelyn Moore, West Blvd. Elem; Zac Caldwell, West Blvd. Elem; Jenna Mudger, Damascus Elem; Aryiana Jones, Austintown Intermediate; Nick Angiuli, Western Reserve Elem; Kelsie Rudolph, Glenwood Junior High; Gabriella Gasior, St. Charles and Helen Faur, Holy Family. Look for winning placemats at the following locations:

Alliance Perkins
American Legion #737
Royal Oaks
Canfield Belleria
Carchedi’s
Beloit FD
Denny’s
Dino’s
Saxon Club
Yankee Kitchen

To view photographs of our placemat award winners and their winning artwork, visit us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Recycling-Green-Team-686289184840866/

Curbing Contamination

In an effort to reduce contamination, Republic Services is distributing “OOPS” tags to curbside customers as part of an ongoing educational campaign. If you would like more information about this topic, call us at 330.740.2060.

Upcoming Special Collections

Appliance Drive

Aug. 8 Canfield Fairgrounds

E-drives

Sept. 19 Goshen Twp.

Tire Drives

Sept. 19 Goshen Twp.

Document Shredding

Aug. 29 - Shepherd of the Valley, Boardman

For additional information call 330.740.2060 or visit our website www.greenteam.cc

For further information about recycling and other solid waste management programs, visit our website at
www.greenteam.cc
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