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November 15, 2023

Kitsap County celebrates America Recycles Day, launches new recycling search tool

Waste Wizard encourages recycling, highlights proper disposal and connects residents with donation centers

Today, on America Recycles Day, Kitsap County is launching a new Waste Wizard search tool to help residents find more ways to donate and recycle items locally. We recognize the impact and importance that recycling has on protecting our natural environment and want to make it easier to recycle and compost right.

Visit Kitsap County’s website Recycle.Kitsap.Gov and use the Waste Wizard to find out if a material can be reused, recycled or composted. Learn about materials ranging from lumber to mercury to art supplies. Simply type the name of a waste material to get started!

What if I can't recycle it? What do I do with it?

Are you confused about how to properly dispose of something? Ever wonder if your old light bulb is safe to put in the garbage? Want to know where to take large items that don't fit in your bins at home? We’ve got these answers for you too in the new Waste Wizard!  The search tool tells you which household items are hazardous and never safe for the garbage, what to do with items not fit for reuse, and when to dispose of an item as garbage.

According to the EPA, “the recycling rate has increased from less than seven percent in 1960 to the current rate of 32 percent. An EPA study found that recycling and reuse activities in the United States accounted for 681,000 jobs and $37.8 billion in wages.” To contribute to this positive change by recycling right, not only today, but all year, Kitsap County residents need to understand what their local recycling providers accept. 

The residents of Kitsap County do a great job recycling, composting and diverting waste away from the landfill. With our new online web tool, it’s even easier for residents to sort their waste properly to help improve our environment!

Environmental and economic benefits of recycling

• Reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators
• Conserves natural resources such as timber, water and minerals
• Increases economic security by tapping a domestic source of materials
• Prevents pollution by reducing the need to mine raw materials
• Saves energy
• Supports American manufacturing and conserves valuable resources
• Creates new jobs in the recycling and manufacturing industries in the United States

Learn to recycle while having fun

Explore how everyday choices affect the community

The U.S. EPA has two fun games for all ages. Test your knowledge of how a simple daily decision can reduce waste and energy use with the Recycle City Challenge (epa.gov). Or, play the Dumptown Game (epa.gov) to see just how bad a community can get when it’s left at its worst – residents litter, pollute and nothing is being recycled or reused. Try being the manager that cleans up the town by creating programs that help people reduce and recycle.

Virtual event hosted by local waste hauler

Join WM’s Recycle Right® for the Holidays virtual presentation on Thursday, November 16th from 6-7 pm!

Residents are invited to celebrate America Recycles Day (November 15th) by learning about all things recycling in their community, how to sort holiday waste correctly and inspiration for creative upcycled gift wrapping!

Get an inside look at the technology of a recycling center to learn how items are recycled after they leave your home to positively impact our natural resources. 

Always wondered what to do with bottle caps? How about shiny gift wrap? There will be time for Q&A about all your most pressing recycling questions!

Disposal Q & A 

Clearing up the meaning of plastic packaging symbols

Q: What do the symbols mean on the bottom of plastic bottles and containers?

Answer: These symbols were created to identify the type of plastic used to make the container.  The resin number is contained in a triangle that looks very similar to the recycling symbol. However, this symbol does not necessarily mean it can be collected for recycling in your community, and every community may be different. Use Kitsap County's Recycle Right Guide at home to easily identify what plastics belong in your home collection bins in Kitsap County.

Featured questions from the community