Red Wiggler

Over the years, the garbage pile at Hiriya dump site in Israel grew so big that the birds it attracted became a danger to the jets taking off and landing at Ben Gurion Airport.

From 1952 until it was closed nine years ago, Hiriya accumulated greater Tel Aviv’s trash for a total of roughly 565 million cubic feet (16 million cubic meters) and attained a height of 261 ft (80m).

Recycling plants have been working there ever since to reuse the refuse and capture the gases released by the mound. Soon the area will be renamed the Ariel Sharon Park after the Prime Minister who worked to keep the area out of the hands of developers and insure that it will a unique ecological park.

The top 12 produce with the highest pesticide content are often called   “The Dirty Dozen” for obvious reasons. This information will help you in deciding where you may want to make the cut-off. Bear in mind that there are many fruits and vegetables that are not on this list, this is meant to get you thinking.

Pesticides on Popular Produce:

1. Peaches – 100
2. Strawberries – 89
3. Apples – 88
4. Spinach – 85
5. Nectarines – 85
6. Celery - 83
7. Pears – 80
8. Cherries – 76
9. Potatoes – 67
10. Sweet Bell Peppers – 66
11. Raspberries – 66 
12. Grapes – Imported  – 64