We finally received our single-stream recycling container and I couldn’t be happier! Loyal readers know I’m a little geeky about this stuff. I truly am excited.

We also received our invitation to join the Recycle Bank program. This program will reward us for our recycling efforts based on the weight of our carts. I have to admit that I have been hoarding our materials for a while in anticipation of next week’s point-earning pickup.

While registering our household for this new service, I checked out their website and was amazed to learn that pizza boxes are not recyclable. What? After 30 years of flattening and stacking pizza boxes, I learn this? It turns out that grease ruins the pulp when the fibers are being processed. This holds true for any paper that you are hoping to recycle: paper plates, napkins, paper towel, etc. The good news is that you can cut out the grease-stained portion of the pizza box and recycle the rest. We have a 125-pound Lab that will happily take that on. Curtis loves a job!

Do you want to know the other really cool part about this recent upgrade to our recycling system? We have new hybrid trucks to pick up our new containers. These are not ordinary hybrids that run on gas plus electricity. These trucks run on gas plus hydraulics. The frequent braking recharges hydraulic fluid, which, in turn, is used to surge the truck forward - up to 100’. The gas is only used as necessary. Just think of all the applications for this new technology!

Linda Lombardini is a local green gal who dabbles in a lot of issues.

Find her at: Linda@TrilliumRealtors.com