Autumn recycling tips and events

Kitsap County Washington sent this bulletin at 10/27/2022 04:11 PM PDT

Fall Edition

Easy Solution to Fallen Leaves- Compost

Maple leaves and tree needles are starting to pile up. Do you have a plan for what to do with the excess leaves? Now is a great time to sign up for compost service! Curbside compost service is available to many homes in Kitsap. See if your home is eligible for compost (yard and food waste) service and sign up today!

Top 5 reasons to compost

Reduces waste going to the landfill and greenhouse gas emissions

Saves valuable nutrients that makes soil rich for growing new plants
Compost-rich soil is more resistant to pests, reducing need for pesticides
You can include the food scrap waste from your kitchen too
It’s convenient, easy and reduces the need for garbage pick up

If your home address doesn’t have collection services now, don’t worry. It’s coming! In 2020, County Commissioners passed an ordinance that requires all residents to have access to green yard and food waste collection services by 2026. This year, services were expanded in North Kitsap. All South Kitsap residents will have access to services in 2024 and Central Kitsap in 2026.

Discover how you can compost at home with backyard and worm composting resources. Both are great options for gardeners, small spaces or those not yet eligible for pickup services.

Another great option is to leave the leaves! See what Kitsap Conservation District says about the benefits of overwintering your garden covered in leaves.

Fall Fun in the Schools

Our Recycling Educator has been popping in and out of classrooms this fall. One of our most popular programs is Adopt a Worm Classroom Composting. Our educator, Lauren, awakens children to the world beneath their feet and how worms make amazing little recyclers. Children don’t only get classroom pets, but they learn all about composting with worms and the life cycle of a worm.

This fun, engaging activity often inspires students to appreciate worms for their superpowers of turning waste into fuel for plants.

Recycling and waste lessons are available at no cost to any public school, homeschool educator or youth organization in Kitsap County. Learn more about what other lessons our youth educators have to offer.

Not today, bluebird. Not today! Artwork courtesy of local student artist, Lukas. Inspired by Lauren Liming’s Worm Composting presentation on the importance of worms in nature.

Events

Styrofoam and Mattress Recycling Event - Oct. 29

Mattress & Styrofoam Recycling- October 29th

Don’t miss your chance to clear the foam from your home this Saturday, October 29th at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds. Get all the details on our recycling events page.

Volunteer Litter Cleanup

Adopt a Spot volunteers wrapped up the summer with over 244 hours of litter cleanup activities. There were 198 reported cleanup events. In all, volunteers collected 423 bags with an estimated 8,450 lbs. of litter!

Adopt a Spot volunteers come in all sizes. Some go out alone nearly every day. Others pick up litter occasionally as a family. Still others, like The Friends of Miller Bay, enjoy visiting with their neighbors as they keep their local waterway litter free.

Thank you volunteers for all your incredible efforts this summer!

If you want to know more about volunteering, visit the Adopt a Spot website.

Above image: Friends of Miller Bay clean the coastline, picking up litter that floated in with the tides.

Recycling Tips

How Clean is Clean Enough?

Recyclables don’t have to be dishwasher clean. Scrape your container. Give it a quick rinse and a shake. Pour out the water and toss the lid. Tada! It’s ready to recycle.

Save water by rinsing with used dishwater. If you don’t have dishwater, save energy by rinsing with cold water.

Leave Your Old Flame Behind

Are you tired of wasting your energy? Ready to upgrade your heat system this fall? Good news! Kitsap County residents can receive $350 to remove and recycle their current wood-burning stove or fireplace insert. Learn more about recycling your old heat source at the Puget Sound Wood Stove Program | Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, WA (pscleanair.gov)

Facility News

Thanksgiving – Facility Closures

Kitsap County waste facilities are closed on Thanksgiving Day. The Household Hazardous Waste Facility is closed the full Thanksgiving weekend.

Silverdale Facility Improvement Update

Silverdale Recycling and Garbage Facility is getting a new design with marked improvements in the coming years. We’re still in the planning stages for the new facility design and recently reached the 60% design phase. At this stage, plans are closely reviewed for permit requirements, site-specific needs and more. The next step after review is to submit for required permits.

Sign up for email project alerts to stay informed, or follow our progress as it unfolds on the Silverdale Facility Project Planning page.

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Kitsap County Solid Waste Division

614 Division Street, Port Orchard, WA 98366

Recycle.Kitsap.gov Email Us Kitsap1: 360-337-5777