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Wrap up your waste this holiday season
Welcome to the December holiday edition of Recycling and Garbage News. In this newsletter, we share facility holiday hours, news, and our holiday recycling guide. We also offer creative ways to wrap gifts, ideas for cutting down on food waste, and tips for holiday shopping.
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What do I do with...
Recycle right and reduce contamination this holiday season with these helpful tips.
String lights can be recycled at scrap metal drop-off sites. Keep string lights out of your curbside recycling cart, as they damage recycling machinery.
Ornaments (broken or nonreusable) are garbage. If they are in good condition, try donating them before placing in your garbage cart.
Bows and strings belong in the garbage. You can also save and reuse them for next year!
Metal wreath frames (plain) can be recycled at scrap metal drop-off sites. Make sure to remove pine branches, bows, and other decorations before recycling.
Batteries should be dropped off at battery-collection sites. Help us keep our staff and facilities safe by keeping batteries out of your curbside recycling and garbage carts.
StyrofoamTM and packing peanuts should be bagged and placed in the trash. Styrofoam products are not accepted for curbside recycling, and some StyrofoamTM packaging products are banned in Washington. Stay tuned for our Styrofoam Collection Event in Spring 2025.
Download our Holiday Recycling Guide for more holiday-related recycling tips!
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Shopping, wrapping, and waste reduction
Amid holiday traditions, Americans increase their waste from November to January. By shopping and wrapping mindfully, we can all reduce waste and save money.
Gifting to reduce waste
Shop local. Kitsap is home to many local businesses that offer unique gifts like soaps, books, art, jewelry, and more. Check out Kitsap's Shop Local Gift Guide* for gift ideas. Shopping local reduces packaging waste and supports our local economy. And don’t forget to bring your own bag!
Swap-style gift exchange. Get your friends and family together to swap books, puzzles, or other items that you already have.
Gift experiences. Give the gift of an experience. Kitsap has many activities, from escape rooms to candle making classes, that make great gifts and memories.
Wrapping to reduce waste
Furoshiki-inspired wrapping. Furoshiki is a traditional Japanese wrapping cloth used to carry belongings. Wrapping with cloth is a reusable option that saves paper and money. Look up "How to Tie a Furoshiki*" guides online or borrow a book from Kitsap Regional Library.
Choose plain paper or a reusable bag. Wrapping paper without foil or glitter can be recycled in your curbside recycling cart. Wrapping paper with foil or glitter is trash.
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Celebrate the holidays without the food waste
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Holiday food waste is a problem—be part of the solution! During the holidays, millions of pounds of food are wasted in Washington.
Washington State Department of Ecology launched a new Use Food Well holiday campaign that shares planning and storage tips, recipes, and more to reduce food waste during the holiday season.
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 Tree-Cycle your holiday tree
Is your holiday tree looking too dry? Take your unflocked tree to a Tree-Cycle site when you're done enjoying it. Many sites are free, and some act as fundraisers for youth sports and activities. We'll continue to update the Tree-Cycle list throughout January.
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 Electronic recycling
Upgrading your TV, computer, tablet, or e-reader this season? Recycle your old or broken electronics for free with E-Cycle Washington. Learn more about what electronics are accepted on E-Cycle Washington's website.
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Facility news
Facility holiday hours and closures
Kitsap County garbage, recycling, and household hazardous waste facilities will be closed on the following days during the winter holidays:
Olympic View Transfer Station
- December 24, 2024: Closes at 3 p.m.
- December 25, 2024: Closed
- January 1, 2025: Closed
Recycling and Garbage Facilities in Silverdale, Hansville, and Olalla
- December 24, 2024: Closes at 2 p.m.
- December 25, 2024: Closed
- January 1, 2025: Closed
Household Hazardous Waste Facility
The Household Hazardous Waste Facility is closed December 15, 2024, through January 15, 2025, for fire suppression system repairs. The facility is expected to reopen on January 16, 2025. For more information, read our planned closure alert newsletter.
Rate increases effective January 1, 2025
In 2022, the County approved incremental increases to disposal rates. Costs will increase at all county garbage and recycling facilities on January 1, 2025. Visit our website to view the new rates and learn about the rate increases.
Winter weather conditions
Weather and other conditions may affect facility hours and operations. During a storm, call 360.674.7065 to check for waste facility closures or delays. If a closure occurs suddenly, staff or signage will inform customers upon arrival.
We also update the Kitsap County inclement weather and emergency webpage as soon as possible.
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Community events and resources
Waste reduction and recycling events
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Kitsap Fix-it Fair in Port Orchard: We're hosting a free community repair event on December 14, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Long Lake Park community building. Visit our Fix-it Fairs webpage for more details.
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Mending meetup: People’s Exchange in Bremerton hosts a free mending meetup each month on the second Friday.
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Kitsap Regional Library Puzzle Swap: The Poulsbo branch is hosting a puzzle swap on Tuesday, December 10, 2024.
Resources and creative ways to reduce waste
Learn more about preventing and reducing waste with these resources:
 *Information and links provided do not constitute an endorsement of any kind from Kitsap County nor does Kitsap County verify information provided by or in third-party links. Kitsap County makes no representation or warranty concerning the content, accuracy, currency, completeness or quality of the information.
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Contact information
Kitsap County Public Works, Solid Waste Division, 360.337.5777 or solidwaste@kitsap.gov
Kimberly Pleger, Public Works Communications Manager, 360.337.5777 or kpleger@kitsap.gov
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