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Now that King County has entered Phase 2, we are beginning to host recycling events again on a limited basis.
Does this mean regular recycling events are back?
To maintain flexibility, we’ll be announcing events one at a time rather than scheduling out several months in advance like we’ve done in the past. We will be starting with low-contact recycling events such as battery recycling and shredding, which limit contact time for staff.
When is the next Styrofoam™ recycling event?
We do not know when we will be able to offer Styrofoam recycling events again. Our vendor is not hosting recycling events at this time. Styrofoam recycling events are much higher contact for staff since they spend longer interacting with each attendee.
What should I do with my Styrofoam™ until there’s an event?
We ask that you not stockpile any additional Styrofoam™ for future events.
If you have already collected a large quantity, and would like to recycle it now, you can recycle it for free at the Shoreline Transfer Station or the recycling facility in Kent.
Styrofoam™ is not a valuable material for recycling, which is why options for recycling it are so limited. If you only have a small quantity, you could consider throwing it away in your garbage can.
I just want to do the right thing for the environment! What is that?
Recycling is beneficial because it keep materials in use. But, some materials are more worthwhile to recycle than others. Styrofoam™ is more air than plastic, making it a difficult and low value material to recycle. In terms of environmental benefit, composting all your food waste is more important than recycling Styrofoam™.
The biggest benefit to the environment is reducing how much waste your family produces, both garbage and recycling.
Waste can be challenging for individuals to take on because so much of our waste, especially packaging, is out of our control. Companies decide what to make products out of, and what to pack and ship them in. A new system called “Extended Producer Responsibility” would work with producers to make packaging more recyclable and use more recycled material. The State legislature considered a bill to do that this session.