Today, Seattle recycles or composts 56.2 percent of all the waste it generates. However, we still send more than 300,000 tons of trash to Oregon every year — half of which could be recycled or composted. Why waste a good thing? Learn how to maximize your recycling and composting.
Where does Seattle yard waste go?
Collected curbside from residents and from commercial businesses by private haulers, the material is recycled locally into compost, a valuable resource for use by home gardeners, institutions and local parks.
Does the city of Seattle recycle?
We provide garbage, recycling, and food & yard waste (compost) services for Seattle in partnership with Waste Management and Recology. Also available are two transfer stations (dumps/landfills) for your extra waste. You can request services online or look up your collection day and report problems with your containers.
What does the city of Seattle do with Styrofoam?
The city of Seattle offers recycling of Styrofoam blocks at no cost when scheduled as a special collections pickup. Only Styrofoam blocks are accepted for recycling. Styrofoam recycling drop locations include Seattle Lighting Stores and V&G Styro Recycle.
Where does Seattle plastic recycling go?
Once collected recyclables go to the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) to be sorted into each type of material. Most of Seattle’s material is processed at a facility in SODO. Watch how the materials are sorted and baled together so they could be sold to processors to be made into new items.
Are milk cartons recyclable in Seattle?
Paper cartons. Juice boxes, Tetra Paks & aseptic containers. Milk and soy milk cartons. Paper or frozen food boxes.
Can you throw away rice cooker?
All you need is a strong pair of wire cutters. If your appliance has pieces that are mostly metal, you can check with your local recycling company and see if you can place them in its metal recycling bin. Some examples are mixing bowls, the beaters from mixers, toasters and the cooking pans from rice cookers.
Does Washington state actually recycle?
In 2014, the province adopted a system that puts the onus for recycling on companies that generate bottles, cans, boxes, plastic pouches, shrink wrap and all other types of consumer packaging and paper. Large manufacturers pay fees based on how much material they generate and how easy it is to recycle.
Who collects garbage in Seattle?
Two national companies, Waste Management, Inc., and Allied Waste, provide most of the collection services in the county. These companies do business under several different company names depending on which area of King County they serve. Cleanscapes, a local company, serves the City of Shoreline.
Does recycling actually get recycled?
By their count, on average nationwide, 16.9% of what gets put in the recycling bin doesn’t belong there at all and therefore ends up in the trash.
How do you get rid of packing peanuts in Seattle?
Go to www.loosefillpackaging.com to find a collection center near you. You can also call the “Peanut Hotline” at 800-828-2214 for the same list, or ask at your neighborhood shipping store. Many businesses not on this list will take the peanuts and reuse them.
Can wrapping paper be recycled in Seattle?
Recycle your wrapping paper
Most wrapping paper can be recycled in your home recycling container.
What can I do with shredded paper in Seattle?
Shredded paper should be put in a plastic bag, tied and then placed in your garbage cart. You can also reduce the amount of paper you shred or check with your city or local businesses for “shred events” in your area.
Why is glass no longer recyclable?
Note: Drinking glasses, glass objects, and window glass cannot be placed with recyclable glass because they have different chemical properties and melt at different temperatures than the recyclable bottles and containers. Broken drinking glass goes into the trash stream.
What actually gets recycled in Seattle?
Within the city of Seattle, recyclables make various journeys after the sorting facility: 28% of the total, including all glass and metal, steel and iron (ferrous) stay in the area. 38% of the total is handled in the Northwest and North America: 100% of plastics and aluminum, 75% of cardboard and 45% of paper.
Does King County actually recycle?
Recycling separates paper, cardboard, glass, metal, and other materials, from the garbage for reuse or reprocessing into new products. Recyclable materials, food scraps and yard waste are collected curbside in almost all areas of King County. Over half of materials thrown away, could have been recycled.
Can bubble wrap be recycled in Seattle?
To improve the quality of recycling in Seattle and King County, plastic bags and wrap will no longer be accepted in curbside recycling beginning Jan. 1, 2020, and customers will be asked to take these materials to recycling locations or place them in the garbage.
How do I dispose of a microwave in Seattle?
Older and nonworking major appliances can be dropped off at county recycling stations. Companies like Total Reclaim and 1 Green Planet will accept appliances in any condition via pick-up or drop-off. Newer, working appliances may be donated to charities like Habitat for Humanity or St.
Are clothes recyclable or garbage?
Your clothes are 100 percent recyclable. So yes, those jeans, dresses, and other household textile materials that seem too old for you do not always need to make it to the landfills.
Can I put an old toaster in the bin?
Can you put a toaster in a bin? Never put old electricals in your general waste or recycling bins. Like anything with a plug, battery or cable a toaster can be recycled. That means it can be refurbished for reuse or broken down for parts and valuable raw materials.
How do you throw out an air fryer?
You can dispose of small electrical appliances by donating them to a charity or a thrift store. Just make sure they’re still in working condition. You can also recycle electric appliances. Check your zip code for the nearest appliance removal center to you using our Green Directory service.