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| June 2002 |
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Milk cartons from the crate to the forest
Believed to be a first in New Zealand is the collection of
one litre milk cartons through the kerbside recycling scheme
for both reuse and recycling. Whole, clean cartons are used by Trees for Canterbury. With
their tops cut off, the cartons are used to grow seedlings which
are then planted still in the cartons. The cartons allow the
seedlings to establish strong and deep roots. Once in the
ground, the cartons break down over time. Trees for Canterbury’s aim is to reforest our community
with specially grown native seedlings. Its target is to plant a
million trees in the region. “Last year when milk cartons became one of the items
which people could put in their recycling crates we expected
to receive an increase in the number of cartons,” says Steve
Bush from Trees for Canterbury. “Instead, there’s been a decrease compared to the numbers
we used to collect from the recycling centres. It looks as
though people are flattening them and putting them in with
their paper in plastic bags.” These cartons are the only paper item which should be
placed unflattened and loosely in the crate and not with other
paper items in plactic bags. Once flattened, the milk cartons
cannot be used for the seedling scheme. “Another plea is for people to rinse the cartons. Cutting the
tops off unwashed cartons and having to deal with the foul
stench of rotting milk is thoroughly unpleasant,” Steve says.
So put your unflattened, rinsed milk cartons in your recycling
crate — not in a plastic bag with other paper items — and
help Trees for Canterbury reforest our region. You can collect a second crate free of charge from Civic
Offices, Tuam Street or your local Service Centre. |
