|
New Guide Helps Move On Those ‘Hard-to-Recycle’ Items
 
Ever wish you could recycle those old electronics, packing materials, paint, Styrofoam, rubber, tires, lightbulbs, batteries, chemicals, cell phones, eyeglasses, hair (seriously), or used cooking oil? Look no further than the new Beyond the Bin Recycling Guide. This tidy little booklet has done much of the work for you, compiling scores of places to recycle those “hard to recycle” items or find a home for things that have outlived their usefulness to you.
Speaking of recycling plastics. By now we all know only limited types of plastics are accepted for recycling in traditional recycling programs. In Skagit County, curbside recycling and drop-off at the Skagit County recycling sites now only accept clean bottles, jars, jugs, and tubs. Easy right? For these programs, it’s the SHAPE of the container—not the number in the triangle—that’s important.
But gosh, you want to recycle other plastics too! Of course, you do. And Beyond the Bin tells you where you can take those other types of plastic, such as plastic packing materials, plastic film, and even the dreaded Styrofoam. For packing materials, Postal & More (Mount Vernon), The Mail Box (Anacortes), and the Sedro-Woolley City Recycling Center are the places to go. Styrofoam is not as easy to recycle locally, but for intrepid recyclers, Styro Recycle Inc. in Renton, The Big Guys in Woodinville, and the Recology Store in King County accept Styrofoam for recycling.
But we’re not just talking plastics here. The guide helps you recycle non-plastic items, too. It clears up all those questions about which battery is which and which is recyclable (why does it have to be so complicated?). Also, find out where you can recycle tires, appliances, electronics, all those myriad lightbulbs, even all half-used crayons, and many more items. And it lists neighborhood cleanup days and all the county and city/municipality drop-off centers for things like hazardous waste disposal, large item recycling, and yard waste.
Electronics. Did you know that Americans throw away 2-3 million tons of electronics a year! Computers, TVs, and other electronic equipment contain heavy metals and other hazardous materials that should not go into a landfill. Under Washington’s E-Cycle law, recycling is free for televisions, computers, laptops, monitors, tablets, E-readers, and portable DVD players. Check out Beyond the Bin for recycling locations near you!
Zero Waste, here we come! Did you know that recycling options are required at every official gathering and sports facility in communities where recycling services are available to businesses? So, next time you’re planning an event, make it a Zero Waste happening! For Skagit County Guidelines on planning waste-free events, visit the Skagit County Zero Waste webpage.
But, why bother? Here’s why—recycling the plastic we use is a critical piece of the solution to the hazards of ocean plastics. Recycling also reduces global warming, saves money, and conserves landfill space. And, it’s simply the right thing to do. Now, the new Beyond the Bin Recycling Guide makes it easier.
And, there’s one more step you can take—think before you buy . . . opt for products with minimal, recyclable, or no packaging. Ask yourself if you really need (fill in the blank), if an item can be repaired, repurposed, or passed along to someone else. There are many ways to recycle. Some of the outlets in the guide that accept items to recycle may also be a source for buying gently used items instead of buying new.
Beyond the Bin Recycling Guide can be found online at the Friends of Skagit Beaches plastic reduction webpage or pick up a copy around town at locations such as public libraries, your municipal waste disposal and recycling signup desk, or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to find a location near you.
Sources:
Friends of Skagit Beaches Plastic Reduction webpage
https://skagitbeaches.org/our-work/plastic-reduction.html
Skagit County Zero Waste webpage
https://www.skagitcounty.net/Departments/Sustainability/ZeroWaste.htm
All about plastic film recycling
https://www.plasticfilmrecycling.org/
Planet or Plastic
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/planetorplastic/
|
