Did you know that when you wash your car on a paved surface, like your driveway or parking lot, all the soap, detergent, automotive fluids, oil, and roadway dirt that gets rinsed from the vehicle goes straight into our storm drains? These storm drains connect directly into our streams and Lakes, and eventually into Lake Washington and Puget Sound. This contaminated runoff causes significant harm to humans, fish, and everything else that uses our surface waters.

It’s true, something as seemingly harmless as a car wash can seriously affect our streams, lakes, and Puget Sound. But nobody likes a dirty vehicle, so what can you do?

The best option is to take your car to a commercial car wash, especially if you plan to clean the engine or the bottom of your car. If you must wash your car at home, the best way to do so is by washing your vehicle on your lawn! Read more on washing your car.

This information is brought to you by the Lynnwood Surface Water Utility, working to keep our surface waters clean. Remember, indoor drains go to treatment plants, outdoor drains go to streams. 

One of our City's private waste haulers, Waste Management, has started an education campaign called Recycle Often. Recycle Right. The message is simple - let's look back at the basics of good recycling:

• Recycle all paper, bottles, and cans. (69% of plastic bottles don’t get recycled)
• Keep items clean and dry. (Soggy items can spoil a whole load of recycling)
• No plastic bags in the recycling. (Loose plastic bags can shut down an entire recycling plant)

When users visit the campaign’s website, they are invited to make a recycling promise, pledge to practice better recycling at home, work, and throughout the community. It also urges others to do the same by sharing stories through social media, using the campaign’s hashtag  #RORR.

Visit the City of Lynnwood Garbage and Recycling page for other information.