State & County Recycling Numbers Increase

(Port Orchard, WA) - According to a news release from the Washington State Department of Ecology, Washington State has achieved its highest recycling rate since statewide data collection formally began, more than twenty years ago. According to the survey, Washington’s recycling rate for 2010 shot up to 49% from the previous 45% in 2009.

Every year, Ecology collects data from recycling facilities throughout the state and all of the state’s transfer stations and landfills. The amount recycled is divided by all the waste generated (recycling + garbage).

Kitsap County’s 45% recycling rate, an increase of 5% from 2009, represents a 25,000 ton increase in recyclable material collected and a 2,000 ton decrease in garbage sent for landfill disposal.

“I think making curbside recycling available countywide in 2010 really made the difference,” stated Kitsap County Recycling Coordinator, Chris Piercy. “The more convenient recycling becomes, the more folks are going to use
the service.”

Piercy also states that once residents begin curbside recycling, there are often some cost savings to be realized if they downsize their garbage container or reduce the frequency of collection. He also emphasizes the importance of waste reduction. “A 25,000 ton increase in recycling is great, but we really need to focus on bringing that 2,000 ton garbage reduction up a little more. Every day residents make purchasing decisions that can be altered to help reduce waste,” he adds, “like using durable goods and cutting down on disposable consumer goods can really help those disposal numbers go down.” A 2,000 ton reduction represents about a 1% decrease from
2009 totals.

In addition to increased access to curbside recycling, Kitsap residents also enjoy a comprehensive drop-off recycling program. Residents are able to drop off various materials at all of the county recycling and garbage facilities, and private composters and recyclers have drop-off options available at their facilities. The County Solid Waste Division’s website has a “What Do I Do With It” page that directs residents to facilities where they can take various materials for recycling or proper disposal (www.kitsapgov.com/sw).

“I am optimistic that the recycling rate will continue to push upward in Kitsap County,” Piercy said. “We’ve got some exciting new programs that we are working on. We have a technical assistance and recognition program for businesses in the works that we plan to roll out in the summer of 2012, our school cafeteria composting program continues to expand, and we are always looking for ways to divert more material from the landfill.”

Additional resources:

Solid Waste Division – www.kitsapgov.com/sw

Washington State Department of Ecology Press Release– www.ecy.wa.gov/news/2011/354.html

Washington State Recycling Association – www.wsra.net