Recycling – Did You Know?

The concept behind recycling is simple:  Give new life to a product or packaging, instead of sending it to the landfill. But in practice, recycling gets complicated. That’s partly because different things need to be recycled different ways, and also because recycling doesn’t really succeed until the collected item is turned into a new item and sold. Recycling collection rules are based on the requirements of the end markets.

Here are a few things you might not know about recycling:

- Did you know you can recycle all your food scraps and food-soiled paper? Those can be put in your yard waste cart, and they get turned into compost. Meat, fish, poultry, bones, dairy products, vegetable and fruit trimmings, bread and other items can be recycled – even pizza delivery boxes, paper plates and napkins. Keep recyclable food in a covered container and frequently empty it into your yard waste cart. If you’re concerned about mess or odor, try lining your kitchen container with a compostable bag. When full, tie up the bag and throw it in your yard waste cart. Get a free compostable bag sample at www.recyclefood.com.

- Did you know that when recycling hard plastic packaging in our local curbside collection programs, you should go by the shape of the container, not the number on it? If it’s shaped like a bottle, jug or tub, toss it in the recycling bin! One exception is plastic containers used for oil or hazardous chemicals – put those in the garbage.

- Did you know you can take back more than just grocery bags to participating grocery stores for recycling? Most of those programs also accept any clean, dry bags, such as newspaper bags, dry cleaning bags, bread bags, produce bags and the clear plastic wrapping for toilet paper and other goods.

- Did you know that lids and caps are not accepted by our Renton curbside recycling collection programs?

- Did you know there are more than 60 locations in King County where you can recycle computers and TVs at no charge, including several in or near Renton? The reason it’s free for residents and small businesses is because the electronics industry pays the costs of recycling, under an innovative state law. Find locations at www.ecycleWA.org

For more information, go to www.kingcounty.gov/recyclemore and visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/recyclemore.

Recycling and reducing our waste helps make Renton a better place, and we appreciate everyone’s efforts!