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2015 News & topics archive

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Department of Natural Resources and Parks
Solid Waste Division


2015 News & topics archive

24
DEC

KCPQ13 News: Holiday Recycling - What goes where? external link
King County's Tom Watson and KCPQ's Brien Blakely recycle the holidays, showing what you should do with everything from a broken toy to that failed holiday baking project.

23
DEC

KOMO4 News: Holiday Recycling Youtube
Marilyn Lauderdale from Styro Recycle in Kent joins KOMO4’s Mary Nam and King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson to show how some common, hard-to-recycle holiday waste items get recycled.

18
DEC

Green your holiday season with King County
As we celebrate the winter holidays this year, we can also celebrate the new regional and global commitment to climate change action and awareness with fun and money-saving resources from King County?s Green Holidays program.

12
DEC

Reminder: Solid waste fee increase Jan. 1 helps King County update facilities, add recycling
New solid waste disposal fees will take effect beginning Jan. 1, to help King County update portions of its 50-year-old solid waste system and increase recycling options.

2
DEC

KOMO4 News: Green Holidays Youtube
Bridget Charters from the Tom Douglas restaurants’ Hot Stove Society cooking school joins KOMO4’s Mary Nam and King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson as they check out an “experience gift” (cooking school classes), as well as a great green water conservation gift and fun Christmas and Hanukkah decorations.

18
NOV

KOMO4 News: Green Thanksgiving Youtube
From the turkey and side dishes to the pre-meal snack tray to the table decorations, KOMO4’s Mary Nam and Steve Pool and King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson show how to make your Thanksgiving feast economical, local and eco-friendly!

28
OCT

KOMO4 News: Eco-Cool Halloween – Costumes from Reused and Recycled Materials Youtube
Need a "green" costume idea? Fifth and sixth graders from the Southwest King County Boys & Girls Club afterschool program have fun with KOMO’s Mary Nam and King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson, modeling Halloween costumes with a nature theme.

26
OCT

New recycling and solid waste transfer station for south King County moves one step closer
Efforts will move forward this fall to replace King County’s 50-year-old solid waste transfer station in Algona with a modern recycling and transfer station in south King County.

10
OCT

D.E.A. Effort to Curb Painkiller Abuse Falls Short at Pharmacies external link
When the D.E.A. announced last year that pharmacies could accept and destroy customers’ unwanted prescription drugs, experts called it a significant step toward easing the painkiller and heroin epidemic. One year later, however, only about 1 percent of American pharmacies have set up disposal programs—from The New York Times.

7
OCT

KOMO4 News: Green Kitchen Makeover Youtube
KOMO’s Mary Nam and King County’s Tom Watson have fun with innovative kitchen items including a custom island made from salvaged materials from Ballard Reuse, cutting boards from Seattle’s Ruby Pear Woodworks, the Ecotonix Green Cycler shredder/food scraps bin, air-tight lids from Charles Viancin, made-in-the-US cast-iron pans from Finex and Lodge, and a vintage ice-cream scoop from Tom’s mom.

29
SEP

King County pushes to help limit waste external link
People are throwing away items that can easily be used again, in one form or another. These seemingly useless items can have a new purpose with the new "threadcyle" program — from KING5's New Day.

16
SEP

KOMO4 News: Clean Green Home Youtube
Go green and save money with your home cleaning! KOMO’s Mary Nam and King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson check out new products, new ideas and a new common hazard for kids.

25
AUG

King County, WA's Solid Waste Division: Collaboration and Innovation external link
Through education, policy and partnerships, King County's Solid Waste Division is working to achieve its goals of zero waste and 70 percent recycling — from WasteAdvantage Magazine.

26
AUG

KOMO4 News: Green Back-to-School Youtube
From thrift store finds to a solar backpack, KOMO's Mary Nam and King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson check out fun ways to go green and save money with back-to-school shopping.

7
AUG

Expanded, improved recycling services at King County's Vashon Recycling and Transfer Station
Vashon residents now have more recycling options than ever, and thanks to new efficient compactors, King County is cutting carbon emissions and costs to transport collected recyclables.

5
AUG

KOMO4 News: Eco-Friendly Critter Control Youtube
Make your own fruit fly trap with wine, hire a professional to vacuum up wasps, or sprinkle coyote urine around your vegetable plants! King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson and KOMO’s Mary Nam have fun with creative, pesticide-free solutions for your summertime insect and critter problems.

20
JUL

KOMO4 News: Green Grilling Youtube
KOMO’s Mary Nam and Steve Pool have fun with King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson checking out greener ways to grill, from energy-conserving and less-polluting grills from Aqua Quip, to sustainable salmon and veggies from Central Co-op, farmers markets and gardens.

17
JUL

King County Executive honors ‘Best Workplaces for Waste Prevention and Recycling’
Businesses small and large across King County are being honored for their commitment to recycling and waste prevention - diverting tons of recyclable materials from the landfill and saving resources.

24
JUN

KOMO4 News: Keep Cool ? Save Energy Youtube
From innovative fans to sliding, adjustable screens to window and portable AC units, King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson and KOMO's Mary Nam show how to keep cool in this hot weather but not fry the planet.

3
JUN

King County Green Schools Program honors 55 schools as they help cut waste, save resources
Schools from 33 cities and 15 school districts across King County have engaged students and employees in conservation practices that cut waste, increase recycling and conserve water and energy with the Green Schools Program.

13
MAY

KOMO4 News: Thrift Store Fashion Youtube
KOMO’s Mary Nam and King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson check out fashions that are examples of the stylish clothes now available at many local thrift stores. The women’s clothes shown here are from the Seattle Children’s Hospital Bargain Boutique thrift store in Kent and are modeled by store volunteerss Twyla and Jordan and Jordan’s daughter Abigail.

5
MAY

King County honors its Earth Heroes
Students, teachers, and other members of the school community in King County who inspire and educate others by showing how simple, everyday conservation actions can contribute to a healthier planet were honored at the annual Earth Heroes at School ceremony.

22
APR

KCPQ TV - Earth Day external link
Earth Day events and toilet-paper roll crafts! Kaci Aitchison and M.J. McDermott have fun with King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson.

22
APR

KOMO4 News: Happy Earth Day 2015 Youtube
For Earth Day, KOMO's Molly Shen and King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson check out green innovations, including scrap-metal wildlife sculptures from artist Travis Pond, flexible solar lighting with the UWs Caitlin Cramer, and an easy-to-use, affordable home air quality monitor.

14
APR

King County ‘Best Workplaces for Waste Prevention and Recycling’ list seeks nominees
Annual list recognizes businesses in King County that are doing a great job of preventing waste and promoting recycling - and nominations are now being accepted for recognition in 2015.

1
APR

Wastemobile: Household hazardous waste collection comes to Vashon, April 17-19
Vashon-Maury residents can safely dispose of old car batteries, oil, paint thinner and many other household hazardous items at no cost when the Wastemobile travels to Vashon Island

17
MAR

Wastemobile: Household hazardous waste collection comes to Redmond, April 3-5
All King County and city residents can safely dispose of old car batteries, oil, paint thinner and many other household hazardous items at no cost when the Wastemobile travels to Redmond

11
MAR

KOMO4 News: Don't Trash that Food Youtube
King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson and KOMO's Molly Shen show how to deal with food waste, from using cool containers and compostable bags, to taking stickers off fruit, to buying ugly veggies.

2
MAR

Nominations sought for King County's Earth Heroes at School awards program
Program honors outstanding efforts to educate youth, protect environment

27
FEB

King County Green Schools Program recognizes six schools, helps schools achieve results

25
FEB

KCPQ TV – Threadcycle Youtube
Newscast reports on Threadcycle—that damaged clothes aren't garbage anymore, and all clothes, shoes and linens can be given for reuse and recycling.

18
FEB

KOMO4 News: Green Lighting Youtube
King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson and KOMO’s Mary Nam light up your life with the latest in energy-efficient LED (light-emitting diode) light bulbs, and show how compact fluorescent lamps (CFL bulbs) and fluorescent tubes get recycled.

28
JAN

KOMO4 News: How Recycling Works Youtube
How does all that stuff you recycle get turned into new products and packaging? King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson and KOMO's Mary Nam explore the fascinating industrial side of recycling.

20
JAN

Expanded recycling for bulbs, tubes with mercury offered at King County transfer stations
Thanks to a new statewide product stewardship law that resulted in the LightRecycle Washington program.

20
JAN

Don't forget the green at your Seahawks Super Bowl party external link
Go green with these party tips for setup, picking your drinks, and eco-friendly chow. Blog by Tracy Durnell—from the City of Kirkland Environmental Services.

8
JAN

CCTV News: Recyclers find innovative new uses for old Christmas trees external link
Report by Chris Casquejo featuring King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson and West Seattle Nursery—from CCTV America's Global Business program.

7
JAN

KOMO4 News: Green Cleaning Youtube
Does your home need a good cleaning after the holidays? King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson and KOMO's Mary Nam demonstrate eco-friendly, almost fun ways to tackle that chore.

King County Solid Waste Division mission: Waste Prevention, Resource Recovery, Waste Disposal

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