Solid Waste Work Plan

Ongoing Solid Waste Work Plan

• Host recycling and waste reduction events
• Provide outreach and public education about recycling options and waste reduction
• Manage the City's contract with our waste hauler
• Personalized waste reduction and recycling assistance to businesses and apartments
• Multifamily and commercial development solid waste plan review to ensure new developments have adequate space for trash, recycling, and compost
• Review of draft Solid Waste-related bills proposed during State legislative sessions
• Ongoing recycling and organics contamination reduction

2021 Highlighted Work Plan Items

While uncertainty continues about what will be possible during 2021, we look forward to serving our residents' recycling needs through innovative approaches.

• Complete an RFP process to select a waste hauler for our next contract
• Continue to host Safer Recycling Events during the pandemic response
• Work with Parks to install new bottle filling stations as feasible
• Offer an additional hazardous waste disposal event for residents

2020 Solid Waste Program Accomplishments

Although the pandemic disrupted our 2020 work plan, we were able to pivot and continue providing recycling support to the community throughout the pandemic.

Recycling Events and Service Improvements

• During the pandemic, redesigned our recycling events to host Safer Recycling Events
• Hosted Safer Recycling Events for residents to recycle Styrofoam, plastic bags, batteries, and electronics, as well as shred confidential materials
• Delivered more than 350 countertop food scrap pails to Kirkland residents' doorsteps
• Partnered with the Capital Improvement Program to install bottle filling stations at Totem Lake Park and Juanita Beach Park
• Upgraded two downtown Big Belly trash receptacles with foot pedals, and updated worn-out wraps
• Provided free yard waste extras during November 2020 as part of a pilot

Outreach and Public Education

• Hosted Earth Month Bingo during the Stay Home order
• Got input about our program from the public through an online survey
• Mailed recycling guides to all Kirkland residents in partnership with Waste Management

Business and Multifamily Assistance

• Conducted outreach to multifamily property owners to learn about their unique waste challenges and identify solutions
• Created and mailed a business recycling guide to all Kirkland businesses for the first time, in partnership with Waste Management

Policy

• Participated in the siting process for a Northeast Recycling and Transfer Station
• Assisted with design and development of the Sustainability Master Plan
• Participated in LWSD sustainability advisory committee and Northwest Product Stewardship Council Steering Committee