Seasons Greetings!
As we reflect on the year, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt thanks for your continued support in making our community cleaner, greener, and more sustainable. Your efforts in reducing waste, recycling, and keeping our neighborhoods beautiful have made a significant impact, and we couldn't have done it without you.
This holiday season, we wish you peace, joy, and a cleaner future. Let’s continue working together toward a more sustainable world in the year ahead!
Happy Holidays and a Bright New Year,
From All of Us at the Skagit County Public Works, Solid Waste Division
There is no "away" photo
Every month, we will share a photo of something we found on our tipping floor. Our goal is to get you thinking about how this item could have been thrown away or recycled in a better way.
Wrapping Paper
Most wrapping paper can be recycled in your home recycling bin. A small amount of tape is okay, but be sure to remove any large pieces. Consider saving reusable wrapping paper, ribbons, and bows. Glittery paper and ribbons that can’t be reused should be disposed of in the trash.
Recycling Tip Of The Month
Where to recycle holidays string lights
 Got a collection of burned-out holiday lights? Upgrading to energy-efficient LED lights? Don't throw your old lights in the trash—recycle them instead! The following programs send the lights to processors that recycle the copper wire inside.
Local Drop-Off Recycling Programs
For drop-off programs, call first to verify they are accepting lights and find out any restrictions for acceptance.
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Skagit River Steel & Recycling
1265 S Anacortes St
Burlington, WA
(360) 757-6096
Send-In Recycling Programs
You will need to pay shipping costs to send in your lights.
Recycling programs may request that you remove the larger glass bulbs (the smaller ones are fine) and any plastic attachments, as these materials are not recyclable and should be discarded.
Other businesses and organizations may also offer holiday light recycling programs.
When purchasing new holiday lights, be sure to ask the retailer if they have a recycling program. Thank you for helping to recycle your holiday lights!
Other Recycling Options
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Schedule a Pick Up with Ridwell
When you sign up, Ridwell will visit your neighborhood every two weeks to pick up hard-to-recycle items, like batteries, prescription bottles and electronics. Just put your items in the provided bags and leave it by your front door. Find out if Ridwell is serving your area here.
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Stop by a Thrift Store
Your local thrift store, including Goodwill, typically accepts working Christmas lights. If you have an extra set or are upgrading, consider donating your unwanted lights by dropping them off in a donation bin or at a nearby store.
5 Ways to Reduce Waste Over the Holidays
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Try Zero Waste Gift Wrapping
There are endless fun ways to wrap a gift, but here at the Skagit County Solid Waste Division, we’ve got a favorite — the Japanese Furoshiki technique! Furoshiki are traditional wrapping cloths used in Japan to wrap and carry all sorts of goodies. The best part? You can use any square-shaped fabric, like scarves, to try out this eco-friendly wrapping style! Learn more about Furoshiki wrapping here, and how to tie a Furoshiki knot correctly with this fun and simple video series by The Green Wrapper.
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Gift Differently
If you’re ready to skip the gift exchange—whether it’s the fancy stuff or just the waste in between—it might be time for what the Zero Waste Chef calls, "the talk." Some friends and family will be open to a candid chat about gift-giving, but with others, you may need to get a little creative. This idea, born from Zero Waste Chef, also has some great tips on how to bring it up. Find her suggestions here. Or, she suggests opting for non-physical gifts and focusing instead on giving the gifts of experiences and time together. For a list of gifts of experiences, read her blogpost.
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Plan Meals Using Leftovers
Holiday meals are a treat, and so are the leftovers! But when there’s a mountain of them in every type of container, it can be tough to figure out what to do with it all or how to use everything up before it goes bad. For some great ideas on how to use up those holiday meal leftovers, check out this New York Times Editor's Collection of Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes. Another great resource for using up the last morsels of food is The Everlasting Meal Cookbook that offers more than 1,500 easy and creative ideas for nearly every kind of leftover. Check it out at your local library today!
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Participate in a Holiday Swap Meet
Participating in a swap meet is a great way to reduce waste and save resources. By exchanging items you no longer need for something useful, you can avoid buying new products. This helps cut down on the amount of stuff that ends up in landfills, as it encourages reusing and recycling instead of throwing things away. It’s also a fantastic way to find unique holiday gifts or even act as you.
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Compost Your Food Scraps
Instead of sending items like fruit peels and coffee grounds to the landfill, composting turns them into nutrient-rich soil for gardens. This cuts down on harmful gases like methane and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, keeping the earth healthier. Learn methods specifically geared toward helping you compost the food waste that's generation in your kitchen by visiting the Use Food Well website Composting 101 page.
Where to Compost Your Christmas Tree
Local Curbside Pick-Up Composting Programs
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Waste Management Curbside Services
Curbside pickup for residents with curbside yard waste service. *May have one-time fee, depending on service plan. Waste Management asks that residents remove tinsel, lights and ornaments, leave tree at the curb the night before your scheduled pickup day, and ensure tree is not buried in the snow or frozen to the ground.
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Anacortes
Anacortes High School Key Club will offer Christmas tree curbside pick up on Saturday, January 4th. Trees must be placed near the curb before 8:00 a.m. on January 4th.
All donations are welcome. Proceeds help to fund AHS Key Club service activities.
Make checks payable to: AHS Key Club
Mail to: 1600 20th Street, Anacortes, WA 98221
Donations also accepted via PayPal at: PayPal.me/AHSKeyClub
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Mount Vernon
Scouts BSA is offering Christmas tree curbside pickup on Monday, December 30th and Monday, January 6th.
The Scouts ask that residents have trees at curbside before 9 a.m.
Donations are appreciated.
Local Drop-Off Composting Programs
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Skagit Soils
Skagit Soils (3.25 cents per pound with $5 minimum)
Monday through Friday 8a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
16260 Ball Road, west of Burlington
(360) 424-0199
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City of Mount Vernon
The city’s yard waste facility accepts Christmas trees from residents of Mount Vernon who receive garbage service on Wednesdays, Saturdays or Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
1010 Shop Lane
Mount Vernon, WA
(360) 336-6218 for questions related to tree disposal
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City of Burlington
The city will accept Christmas trees from December 31st through Jan. 13th
951 S. Section St
Burlington, WA
Call (360) 757-4214 for questions related to tree disposal
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Sedro Woolley Recycling Center
The city will accept trees through the first three weeks of January. Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The City Yard Waste Facility will have a large sign reading, “Christmas Trees Here" posted.
1675 3rd Street
Sedro Woolley, WA
(360) 855-1884 for questions about tree disposal
Ecology's Food Center Lead Jade Monroe was at a Seattle Safeway store this week where she gave tips to reduce holiday food waste. As a Use Food Well campaign partner, Safeway helps Ecology promote food waste prevention through simple steps like smart shopping, meal planning, and proper food storage.
This subversive documentary unpacks the tricks brands use to keep their customers consuming — and the real impact they have on our lives and the world.
30 minute documentary from ABC news. They put tracking devices in 3 plastic bags dropped off at Walmart recycling bins and followed where they went.
Anna Sacks is a waste expert focused on passing waste legislation in NYC and raising consciousness on social media.
Upcoming Events
Each season the Solid Waste Division's Education & Outreach team offers chances to learn methods for making less garbage. We'll also highlight other local events focused on reducing waste, repair and repurposing materials. Get your recycling, composting, and waste reduction questions answered, and take home materials to help you succeed. Catch us this month at a local event or free workshop near you!
Bring gently used toys to swap with other families. Please leave kids at home, and enjoy shopping alone!
Monday, December 2nd & Sunday, December 9th
9:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon each day
Anacortes Public Library, Community Room
1220 10th Street
Anacortes, WA 98221
Get ready for all your cozy winter crafting! Bring arts & crafts supplies to exchange and come ready to take home goodies that inspire you. Have questions about what is okay to bring? Ask Library staff! Donating is not required to take materials.
Wednesday, December 4th
6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Anacortes Public Library, Community Room
1220 10th Street
Anacortes, WA 98221
Luminary Making Workshop
Monday, December 9th
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Anacortes Westminster Presbyterian Church Community Hall
1300 9th Street
Anacortes, WA 98221
Register to attend this free event here
Luminaria Walk
Saturday, December 21st
4:15 p.m.
Washington Park
Anacortes, WA 98221
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