The Rainbow Warrior - Recycling Tip of the Week

Safe Disposal Of Refuse

This is not exactly a recycling tip, but, with summer approaching, I thought that a few tips on the safe disposal of everyday refuse timely. The following items can be hazardous to wildlife, and are among the items most often seen littering our woods, beaches, and roadsides. Even when disposed of in waste receptacles, some of them can pose a hazard if not altered as indicated below.

Plastic Six-Pack Rings

The plastic ring holders used to bind six-packs of beer, carbonated drinks, fruit juices, etc. can be deadly to small animals, birds, and fish. Wildlife can get caught in the rings and strangle themselves. To avoid this, cut each of the rings open before disposing of them.

Cigarrette Butts

Most smokers are aware of the danger of forest fire from a dropped cigarrette butt and therefore step on them to put them out, thereby thinking that the danger to wildlife has been averted. The sad truth is that these cigarette butts are a common cause of death among small animals and birds. The tobacco is poisonous when eaten, and the filter will disrupt the digestive tract, if the creature attempting to eat it doesn't choke to death on it first. All cigarrette butts should be picked up and disposed of in a waste receptacle, rather than left on the ground.

Alkaline Batteries

Alkaline batteries will leak acid when corroded or bitten into. They should be disposed of in a manner that will not allow wildlife access to them.

Plastic Cup Lids

These can result in the same risk of strangulation posed by the six-pack rings if they are punctured in the center, as for a straw, and whole around the circumference. To avoid this risk, cut or tear them in half prior to disposing of them.

String, Yarn, Twine, Rubber Bands, and Fishing Line

Birds, animals, and sea creatures can become entangled in these items and lose an appendage, strangle themselves, or drown. To avoid this, prior to disposing of these items, seal them in a some kind of container, such as a bag or can.

Plastic Bags

Animals and birds, as well as small children, can become trapped within a plastic bag and suffocate. To avoid this, before disposing of plastic bags, either seal the bag by firmly tying it's open end closed, or open the bag by tearing it's closed end open. Entrapment is less likely in a tubular or sheet form than in a one end open-one end closed form.

If you have a recycling tip you'd like to share, please email me.

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