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Program highlights throughout 2024
Happy New Year! In this edition of Recycling and Garbage News, we share our top moments and program highlights from 2024. We also include reminders of facility closures and new disposal rates.
For more information about our programs and the Kitsap County Solid Waste Division, please check out our new Solid Waste StoryMap! This interactive website gives an in-depth look at how trash and recycling is managed here in Kitsap.
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Garbage, recycling, and hazardous waste by the numbers
Household hazardous waste
Our Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility helped 9,022 customers safely dispose of more than 762,924 pounds of household cleaners, automotive fluids, and other chemicals. By offering safe and convenient disposal for hazardous waste, we help to protect the environment and public health. We look forward to continuing our efforts to provide household hazardous waste management in the year ahead!
Garbage and recycling
Our Garbage and Recycling Facilities and Transfer Station assisted more than 204,661 customers with recycling and garbage disposal services in 2024. These facilities accepted 212,213 tons of garbage for disposal in the landfill and approximately 2,600 tons of recyclable materials.
Want to reduce your waste sent to the landfill? Search our Waste Wizard to find locations to compost, donate, and recycle your items.
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Grants awarded to fund waste reduction campaigns
With the support of two state grants, we launched impactful campaigns to support waste reduction and litter cleanup across Kitsap County. In 2024, we were awarded $81,375 to fund several projects, including:
Cargo tie-down giveaways: Our Secure Your Load for Safer Roads campaign encourages Kitsap drivers to secure their loads to prevent roadside litter and increase road safety. In 2024, we provided more than 1,000 community members with ratchet straps, cargo nets, and tarps at solid waste facilities and community events to encourage load security. To learn how to secure your load, visit our Secure Your Load for Safer Roads webpage. |
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Highway ramp cleanups: We received a $60,000 grant to fund litter cleanup on state highway ramps in Kitsap County in 2024 and 2025. To date, our ramp cleanup contractor has removed 11,000 pounds of litter from ramps on State Routes 3, 16, and 303! Although highway cleanup is typically the responsibility of state agencies, this grant allows Kitsap County to lend the state a helping hand. To learn more about litter prevention and cleanup in Kitsap, visit our Litter in Kitsap webpage.
Curbside composting toolkit giveaway: Curbside food and yard waste collection service is now available to most Kitsap County households. This voluntary service keeps valuable compostable materials out of the landfill. To help households use this service, we received a grant to give away compost toolkits. The toolkit helps residents to store and carry food scraps from their kitchens to their collection cart.
This effort supports the state’s goal of diverting 75% of organic material by 2030. Pledge to Include the Food and get your own toolkit!
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Solid waste and household hazardous waste facilities
We’re excited to share some milestones in our ongoing facility improvements! In 2024, we broke ground on the new North Kitsap Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility, bringing us one step closer to providing a more convenient hazardous waste collection option for north Kitsap.
At the Olympic View Transfer Station, we welcomed the delivery of a second garbage compactor and a new generator, which will help the facility be more efficient and improve the customer experience. Both the second compactor and generator are expected to be installed in late 2025.
At the Hansville Recycling and Garbage Facility, we added an accessible recycling drop-off bin for customers with physical limitations, ensuring better service for all community members. We’re planning to expand this accessible service to the Olalla Recycling and Garbage Facility in 2025.
We also completed the planning phase for the Silverdale Recycling and Garbage Facility redevelopment project. The redevelopment will improve recycling and garbage collection including adding credit card payment, increased garbage capacity, improved traffic flow, and accessible recycling. We anticipate construction will start early 2026. Subscribe to the Silverdale Recycling and Garbage Facility Improvements newsletter for construction updates and temporary closures throughout construction.
These projects reflect our commitment to improving services and facilities, shaping a more accessible and reliable future for Kitsap residents.
 Second compactor arriving at Olympic View Transfer Station. The compactor is expected to be installed in late 2025 or early 2026.
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Recycling and waste reduction outreach and events
2024 was a year of meaningful progress in our efforts to reduce waste and promote recycling, composting, reuse, and repair. This year, we hosted:
Our outreach efforts were in full swing as we attended 18 community events and farmers' markets to engage with residents on topics like composting, recycling, and waste reduction. We also increased our digital engagement with seasonal newsletters and social media posts. We invite you to share our newsletters with your friends and neighbors to get the word out about recycling and garbage in Kitsap!
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Litter cleanup efforts
Working to keep our roads litter free
In 2024, our Clean Kitsap Program removed over 300,000 pounds of litter from local roads and lands thanks to the help of volunteers and contracted litter cleanup services.
Kitsap celebrates Adopt a Spot volunteers
In December, we held a recognition event to celebrate the remarkable community impact made by volunteers in our Adopt a Spot litter program.
In 2024, Adopt a Spot volunteers adopted 486 shoulder miles of roadway, reported 813 cleanups, logged an impressive 3,776 volunteer hours, and picked up approximately 50,600 pounds of litter! Among the dedicated group of volunteers recognized this year, three volunteers were awarded with our “Golden Picker Award” for their outstanding efforts.
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 Adopt a Spot Volunteer Coordinators, Amelia R. (left) and Jason S. (right), stand with award recipient, Evan D. (middle).
Evan D.
Evan won our award for the most engaged individual volunteer. Since November 2022, Evan has participated in 92 hours of litter cleanup along 10.25 miles of east Bremerton. In total, Evan removed more than 3,580 pounds of litter!
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 Adopt a Spot Volunteer Coordinators, Amelia R. (back left) and Jason S. (back right), stand with award recipients, Bryan S. (front left) and Amanda T. (front right).
Warren Ave Bridge Cleanup Crew
The award for most active group goes to Amanda T. of Dream Legacy Real Estate and Brian S. of Caffe’ Perfetto! This duo leads the Warren Ave Bridge Cleanup Crew. In 2024, they reported 13 cleanups, organized 247 volunteers, and cleaned up 5,880 pounds of litter throughout East Bremerton!
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Facility news and reminders
Rate increases effective at all Kitsap County Recycling and Garbage Facilities
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.
Temporary closure of Household Hazardous Waste Facility
The Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility is scheduled to temporarily close for fire suppression system maintenance Sunday, January 26, 2025, through Wednesday, February 12, 2025. Visit the facility webpage for up-to-date information on expected opening.
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, 360.277.6032 or kpleger@kitsap.gov
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