Hello,

Thank you for asking about poly-coated paper. Again whether an item is recyclable or not depends on where you live. Call your recycling service provider and/or city/county agency that contracts with the service provider and ask them about recycling guidelines for your area.

Poly-coated paper in simple terms is plastic coated paper (examples: paper plates/cups with a shiny finish, cardboard with a shiny coating/packaging). Since it is difficult for a recycling company to separate two recyclables from each other (in this case paper and plastic) it makes it very difficult to recycle most poly-coated paper. It often winds up gummy/gooey clump in the pulper at the paper recycling mill. The paper and cardboard are recyclable but the thin sheet of plastic is hard to recycle.

I hope this helps! Thank you for recycling!

Best,
Kim

Label backing paper recycling

Hello to Kathleen who was trying to recycle the "paper" that is on the back of labels (and stickers, etc.). Recycling and composting programs differ in each city, county and state. Since I don't know where you live it is difficult for me to recommend a recycler or composter for you. Call your local City or County Solid Waste and Recycling Utility Department, they may have a great solution for you.

As an FYI that type of material is typically NOT recyclable in the "regular" recycling program, because it really isn't paper and usually doesn't have any fiber content (fiber is needed to make new paper). That material is usually a plastic based product (not waxed) if it was wax you could scratch it and a small ball or piece of wax would appear. If that wax appears contact your local composter and see if they can handle the volume you have. I also still recommend calling your local city/county utility department and see if they can recommend someone that can help you with this material and keep it out of the landfill! Thank you for checking in!

Duwamish Chocolate Fest - supporting the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition

Hello Waste Free Blog Readers:

Please join the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition/Technical Advisory Group for an evening that includes unique pairings of Fran's gourmet chocolates with local brews from Georgetown Brewing Company, Machine House Brewery, Two Beers Brewing Company, and Seattle Cider Company!

While there, learn about and celebrate the river's rich history and enjoy images from Tom Reese's "Choosing Hope: Reclaiming the Duwamish River.”  Plus take part in a small silent auction with great items (items that you would want and are at low value!)

Proceeds from this event will support Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition/Technical Advisory Group and its efforts to promote a healthy cleanup of the Duwamish River.

When: Thursday, September 24, 2015, 6:00pm to 8:00pm

Where: Fran's Chocolates (Georgetown), 5900 Airport Way S  (Ample parking in the back)

Cost: $15 for one, $25 for two in advance / $20 at the door

Purchase your tickets in advance for the better price:  Click here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1900218

Help us restore Seattle's only river and ensure a healthy river and healthy communities at the Duwamish River Chocolate Fest!

Announcing the 2014 Master Recycler Composter (MRC) volunteer training!

Did you know half of what goes to Cedar Hills Regional Landfill could be recycled? 

King County Solid Waste Division invites you to its upcoming Master Recycler Composter (MRC) training. This free volunteer training and outreach program is accepting applications for 2014 through April 30^th and is open to King County residents outside of the cities of Seattle and Milton only.

We are looking for outgoing individuals who want to inspire others to reduce waste and recycle more. Learn all about the do’s and don’ts of curbside recycling, including food scrap recycling, and then put your training to work through volunteer outreach. The training will be in Kent, Saturdays May 3rd and 10th, with an optional field trip on May 17th. This FREE training is open to King County residents outside of the cities of Seattle and Milton only. For more information, see http://your.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/mrc/index.asp 

This train-the-trainer program focuses on the do’s and don’ts of curbside recycling, including food scrap and food-soiled paper recycling. Program graduates put their training to work through volunteer outreach. This FREE training is open to King County residents outside of the cities of Seattle and Milton only.

Please let me know if you have any questions or if I can provide you with additional information. Thank you for helping to spread the word and improve recycling rates in King County. 

'Queen of the Sun', 6-9pm, Thurs, Dec 12, 2013 - Issaquah Sustainability Film Series

Continuing the City of Issaquah’s series of FREE film nights on sustainability, the documentary “Queen of the Sun” will be shown on Thursday evening, December 12, 2013.

What are the bees telling us? Queen of the Sun is a profound, alternative look at the global bee crisis from director Taggart Siegel. Taking us on a journey through the catastrophic disappearance of bees and the mysterious world of the beehive, this engaging and ultimately uplifting film weaves an unusual and dramatic story of the heartfelt struggles of beekeepers, scientists and philosophers from around the world including Michael Pollan, Gunther Hauk and Vandana Shiva. Together they reveal both the problems and the solutions in renewing a culture in balance with nature.

After the film, a panel of experts, will lead a discussion about the film. Informational tables, as well as refreshments, will be available to attendees. In addition, door prizes will be given away after the movie.

Event details:
• 6:30-9 p.m, Thursday, December 12 (come early at 6 p.m. to speak with exhibitors and get a good seat)
• Blakely Hall, 2550 NE Park Drive, Issaquah, WA 98029 (located in the Issaquah Highlands)

The free movie nights are presented by the City of Issaquah’s Office of Sustainability and funded through a grant from the King County Local Hazardous Waste Management Program. For more information, go to www.ci.issaquah.wa.us/Index.aspx?NID=304 or call 425-837-3400.

Take the TAP Pledge!

Hi Waste Free Folks!

It has been a busy year in the rethink, reduce, reuse and recycling world (yes we have added a new R - Rethink). So I haven't had a lot of time to post to the Blog, but I have been saving up some great info to share with you!

Friends and I (finally!) saw the film "Tapped" (www.tappedthemovie.com). "Tapped" is about the bottled water industry. This is an eye-opening must see! The film is available through both the Seattle and King County Library Systems - free and reusable.

The movie was good, and the info below is such a GREAT way to reduce waste that I had to share it! Plus if you choose to take the TAP Pledge you will get 20% off a SteriPEN to sterilize your water - whether at home, while traveling, or during an emergency or disaster (think earthquake)! I am excited about this. Please read more below for the inside scoop.

The film was sponsored by a new organization called TAP - Travelers Against Plastic: www.travelersagainstplastic.org. If you have done any traveling you have probably seen first hand the amazing amount of plastic garbage suffocating our planet, particularly plastic bottles, as everyone wants clean, healthy water. Plastic is made from oil and this oil based product is everywhere - littering neighborhoods, cities, roadways, ditches and rivers (and in the bellies of our wildlife). Our planet is aprox. 71% water, and oil and water just don't mix! Since water flows downhill, all that plastic is making its way to our precious Oceans. (Please Google "The Great Pacific Garbage Patch" and know that this tragedy affects all 7 of our planets oceans!) 

A SteriPEN is a great, inexpensive solution to reduce plastic bottle waste. SteriPENs are an easy to carry, reusable device that sterilizes water while traveling (or at home). I will definitely be ordering this convenient device (I have heard about it for years, but this film definitely put me over the decision making edge!) I also think these will make GREAT holiday gifts. (Especially since my family and friends already have stylish blue recycling bins!) 

Thanks for reading and Happy Waste Free Traveling! 

Kim

Announcing the 2013 Master Recycler Composter (MRC) volunteer training!

Hello Waste Free Folks!

King County Solid Waste Division (Washington State) invites you and your community to its upcoming Master Recycler Composter (MRC) training. This free volunteer training and outreach program is accepting applications for 2013 through April 18th and is open to King County residents outside of Seattle only.

Announcing the 2013 Master Recycler Composter (MRC) volunteer training!

Did you know half of what goes to Cedar Hills Regional Landfill could be recycled? We are looking for outgoing individuals who want to inspire others to reduce waste and recycle more. Learn all about the do’s and don’ts of curbside recycling, including food scrap recycling, and then put your training to work through volunteer outreach. This FREE training is open to King County residents outside of Seattle only. Two options for training are available: in Renton, Thursday evenings from 6:30-9 p.m., April 25-May16 or in Kent, Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., May 4 and May 11. For more information, visit http://your.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/mrc/index.asp.

Thank you!
Kim Ducote'