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Do you have paper that needs to be shredded? Bring it to our collection event to be securely shred and recycled.
WHEN Friday October 4th
2pm - 4pm
WHERE Lynnwood City Hall
19100 44th Ave W Lynnwood, WA 98036
Please follow all traffic control and signage in parking lot.
For more information visit our website here.
Recycling Collection Events sponsored by the Washington State Department of Ecology.
This article is from the Department of Ecology, written by Dave Bennett.
You can find plastic trash everywhere. It’s one of the most common items in roadside litter. Plastic bottles and containers end up in our lakes and rivers, and plastic refuse mars our parks and public spaces. Moreover, the fossil fuels that go into making these products contribute to climate change.
New regulations from the Washington Department of Ecology will help to address some of those problems by increasing the amount of plastic that gets recycled and reused to make new plastic packaging.
Companies that sell drinks, milk, wine, trash bags, personal care products, and household cleaners must include more recycled plastic in their packaging, according to the new rule.
“You don’t have to look very hard to see that we have a plastic problem – plastic containers are among the most common items we find in roadside litter," said Ecology Director Laura Watson. “This rule will help us reduce pollution, increase the value of our recycling, and make sure that we’re doing everything possible to keep Washington beautiful and litter-free.”
Since January, companies that make trash bags and beverage containers have been required to make their products with at least 10% and 15% recycled content, respectively.
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The requirements gradually increase over the next 12 years, and expand to include plastic packaging for other common products. By 2036, most plastic packaging will be required to contain at least 50% recycled content.
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Every year, companies must comply with the requirements, report, and pay fees based on the weight of plastic they sell into the state.
Increasing recycled content in plastics is the latest step in implementing a 2021 law passed by the Washington Legislature, aimed at reducing the use of single-use plastics. The law banned single-use plastic bags as well as foam packing peanuts and takeout containers. It also restricted the use of throw-away plastic takeout items at restaurants and lodging establishments, and set new standards for recycled plastic content.
“Plastic pollution is ugly, harmful, and expensive to clean up,” said Peter Lyon, manager of Ecology’s Solid Waste Management program. “Using recycled plastic to make new products is the sustainable thing to do, and it cuts down on harmful greenhouse gas emissions.”
To learn more, check out the original article here https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/oct-31-law-increases-recycling-decreases-waste
 Image of Waste Management Recycling Facility. To learn more about their facility, check out their website here.
Last month I was given the opportunity to go and visit the Waste Management Recycling Center in Woodinville. I was especially excited about this opportunity since all of our Lynnwood Waste Management customers send their recycling to this facility.
Waste Management has recently done a number of upgrades to this facility to make it more efficient, and the equipment there is rather impressive! They utilize a lot of technology, like optical sorters, to create a clean pallet of material that other companies want to buy to turn into a new product. But the thing that kept getting my attention at every turn, was garbage. I was shocked over and over again by the amount of garbage that was in the facility. I am very aware that there are many people in our country who participate in "wish cycling" (putting things in the recycling can thinking or assuming they can be recycled) but seeing it all there in front of me really put into perspective how much recycling education is needed.
As I continue to share recycling education at presentations and with community members, I think something important is to let you all know, that everyone can not put the same things in their recycling bins. There are a few key items that are accepted everywhere, but other things like milk cartons or glass bottles, vary area to area. So please check with your hauler what is accepted, and encourage people you know to do the same!
Items accepted everywhere: Cardboard, paper (not shredded), plastic bottles, tubs, and jugs.
 Above, Waste Management Recycling Guide for Lynnwood residents. Below, Republic Recycling Guide for Lynnwood residents. If you don't know who your hauler is, check out our map here.
Do you have any ideas or suggestions about how to make this newsletter better? Are you involved in or know of any recycling events in our area? Please send an email to pwrequest@lynnwoodwa.gov and reference the Recycling Newsletter.
The City of Lynnwood's Waste Reduction education program, including this newsletter, is funded in part by the Washington State Department of Ecology.
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