King County Solid Waste Division takes national award for recycling, transfer station

A national waste management industry magazine has named the King County Solid Waste Division the country’s “greenest” government organization for its innovative waste-reduction programs and cutting-edge facilities.

In honoring the Solid Waste Division with the 2008 Environmental Award winner in the public sector category, Waste News magazine noted the county’s commitment to “fostering environmental progress through programs, laws and other initiatives.” Waste News selects just one winner for this annual award.

Waste News specifically cited the redeveloped Shoreline Recycling and Transfer Station, the EcoConsumer Program that promotes environmentally responsible purchasing, and the Neighborhood Recycling Challenge, which focused on reducing the amount of recyclable materials that go to the landfill.

“We are honored to receive this national recognition, but the real prize for us is continuing to provide exceptional services that help save our ratepayers money and protect the environment,” said Solid Waste Division Director Kevin Kiernan.

The division has won several prominent awards this year. The U.S. Green Building Council awarded the Shoreline station with its highest designation – the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) platinum certification. Shoreline is the only transfer station in the nation to achieve the highest rating.

Also, the Seattle Chapter of the American Institute of Architects awarded the facility with an “Honorable Mention” designation in its “What Makes it Green? Regional Top Ten Green Awards.”

The Solid Waste Division also received a national award for its battery recycling efforts from the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation. Since 2003, the division has collected more than 33,000 pounds of rechargeable batteries for recycling – including more than 8,000 pounds collected this past year alone.

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The King County Solid Waste Division provides environmentally responsible solid waste transfer and disposal services to more than 1.3 million residents in King County, excluding Seattle and Milton. The division operates eight transfer stations, two rural drop boxes and the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill – the last remaining operating landfill in the county.