Recycle Right: A Conversation with Mecklenburg County Solid Waste
Release Date: 04/26/2025
🦋 Host Plants: Rolling Out the Red Carpet for Butterflies
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Want to welcome butterflies to your yard and help them thrive? This week on The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie dig into the magical role of host plants—the essential “nurseries” for butterflies and other pollinators. 🌿🦋🐛 While nectar plants might get all the glory, host plants are where the real action happens: eggs are laid, caterpillars feed, and life cycles begin. This episode is your go-to guide for making your yard more butterfly-friendly—from milkweed to magnolia. With personal stories, practical tips, and plenty of plant inspiration, this episode is a...
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Recycle Right: A Conversation with Mecklenburg County Solid Waste
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Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature. Aquatic invasive species are more than just a nuisance—they pose serious threats to ecosystems, economies, and even public safety! In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, our award-winning hosts welcome Khristopher Stahr and Jenna Paugels from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to dive into the hidden dangers lurking beneath the water’s surface. From zebra mussels clogging waterways to invasive carp disrupting food chains, Christopher and Jenna break down the...
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In this episode of the award winning Backyard Naturalists podcast, we dive into the lasting effects of Hurricane Helene on western North Carolina’s aquatic ecosystems. Our special guest, Corey Oakley from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, shares firsthand insights into the devastation caused by historic flooding and landslides in the Appalachian region. With some areas receiving over 30 inches of rain in just 48 hours, the storm drastically altered river landscapes, eroded stream banks, and even wiped out a major trout hatchery—resulting in the loss of 600,000...
info_outlineWhat really happens to your recyclables after they leave the curb? This week on The Backyard Naturalists, we sit down with Jeff Smithberger, Director of Mecklenburg County’s Solid Waste Management Program, for an eye-opening look into the world of local recycling.
Serving over 1.1 million residents across Charlotte and surrounding communities, Mecklenburg County’s waste management operation is a complex, high-impact effort that affects every household. From curbside do’s and don’ts to hidden costs of contamination, Jeff helps us understand what it means to Recycle Right—and why it matters more than ever.
Whether you’re a seasoned recycler or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable tips, local resources, and surprising facts that will change how you think about your trash.
♻️ In this episode, you’ll learn:
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✅ The 6 items you should put in your curbside bin—and what to leave out
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✅ How contamination is costing taxpayers millions each year
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✅ What really happens to recycled materials (hint: road paint, clothing, and more!)
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✅ Where to drop off hard-to-recycle and hazardous items in Mecklenburg County
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✅ Why wipeoutwaste.com is your go-to recycling resource
We also cover how the county transforms yard waste into mulch and compost, hosts free paper shredding events, and provides services that many residents don’t even know about. 🧺🌿
🎧 Listen, like, and subscribe to The Backyard Naturalists on:
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Let’s clean up our recycling habits and make a greener tomorrow—one bin at a time.