SWD news
Department of Natural Resources and Parks
Solid Waste Division
2014 News & topics archive
Green goals: Simple ways to make a difference in 2015Download PDF 94 K
We can make sure eco-consciousness plays a key role in our life by including at least one green goal on our 2015 list. Consider these timely choices for enviro-resolutions—from The Seattle Times.
Q13 News: Pro tips on what you can recycle this holiday season external link
King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson and Kelly O’Connell recycle the holidays—from KCPQ13 News.
KING5 News: Legislature to consider paint recycling program external link
King County is supporting a bill proposed for the next state legislative session that would create a statewide paint take-back and recycling program.
KOMO4 News: Green Holiday Entertaining Youtube
In this action-packed segment, KOMO's Mary Nam and Steve Pool and King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson have too much fun with ideas for greening your holiday parties and dinners.
Rise in wasted food marks holiday season
American households toss out 25 percent of the food and drink they buy, adding up to more than $130 every month, and that number rises even higher during the holidays. King County can help you find ways to toss less, save more.
King County makes it easier to celebrate ‘Green Holidays’
King County program offers advice and resources to reduce waste during holidays, such as Styrofoam packaging disposal, Christmas light recycling, fair-trade gifts
Put holiday waste in its place by reducing and recyclingDownload PDF 977 K
Holiday recycling is the gift that keeps on giving—King County EcoConsumer column reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times
KOMO4 News: Green and Local Food Gifts Youtube
KOMO's Molly Shen and King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson check out great holiday gift ideas, including food books by local authors, locally-produced foods, and homemade muffins made from insects (cricket flour). All were delicious!
Unique ideas for giving green holiday giftsDownload PDF 50 K
You don't need to keep recycling the same green gift ideas. This year, let's shake it up a little and get quirky, cool and distinctive with our holiday gifts—King County EcoConsumer column reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
KOMO4 News: DIY Green Holiday Gifts Youtube
KOMO's Mary Nam and Steve Pool and King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson have fun checking out some cool examples!
KOMO4 News: Recycled Costume Ideas Youtube
EcoConsumer Tom Watson and anchor Mary Nam have fun featuring Halloween costumes from reused and recycled materials! This year's theme is plants and animals, with costumes modeled by Paulina, Alex, Victoria, Leslie and Iv⮠from the El Centro de la Raza after school program, accompanied by their teacher Maria Rico.
Work underway to replace aging, undersized Factoria Transfer Station with better facility
Existing station will remain open for business throughout construction; New facility to include wide range of recycling options.
When life gives you a yard full of leaves, make compostDownload PDF 110 K
Leaves not only produce good compost, but also good exercise for those who rake them, typically burning off 150 calories in 30 minutes, according to Harvard Health.—Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
Celebrating 25th anniversary, Wastemobile makes final stop in Bothell, Oct. 24-26
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 makes its final stop of the year, Oct. 24-26, in Bothell.
Celebrating 25th anniversary, Wastemobile collects household hazardous waste in Duvall, Oct. 17-19
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 comes to Duvall, Oct. 17-19.
Celebrating 25th anniversary, Wastemobile collects household hazardous waste in Redmond, Oct. 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 comes to Redmond, Oct. 3-5.
Executive's budget to call for accelerating energy efficiency projects throughout King County
Innovative 'Fund to Reduce Energy Demand' would finance capital upgrades that pay for themselves over time, and help meet climate targets faster.
Celebrating 25th anniversary, Wastemobile collects household hazardous waste in Burien Sept. 26-28
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 comes to Burien, Sept. 26-28.
KCPQ Morning News ? Safer cosmetics external link
King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson joins Kaci Aitchison for one of her segments at Dr. Jen's House of Beauty in Seattle, highlighting health and environmental issues with many personal care products, and showing fun alternatives.
Celebrating 25th anniversary, Wastemobile collects household hazardous waste in Covington Sept. 5-7
Using household hazardous waste service helps keep King County clean, safe.
Celebrating 25th anniversary, Wastemobile collects household hazardous waste in Renton Aug. 22-24
Customers who safely dispose of household hazardous waste can win great prizes as they help protect the environment.
Tool lending library starts up on Vashon Island external link
Story by Sarah Low—Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber newspaper.
KOMO4 News: Green Sharing Services Youtube
The "sharing economy" reduces waste and conserves resources! Tom shows anchor Mary Nam fun examples of fruit sharing, bike sharing, car sharing, fabric swapping and wedding d꤯r rental.
Food: Too Good To Waste on New Day NW: Smart shopping and storing tips to eliminate food waste external link
Between brown bananas, moldy bread, and old leftovers, there's a good chance we've all wasted food this week. But how much is that food waste actually costing you? —from KING5 news.
KOMO4 News: Recycled Art Youtube
King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson and anchor Mary Nam check out fantastic art made from reused and recycled materials by artists Russ Morgan, Darcy Thompson, Dean Robertson, Diem Chau, Julia Haack and Kate Hunt.
King County announces 'Best Workplaces for Waste Prevention and Recycling' list
King County's Solid Waste Division is honoring 97 local companies for adopting business practices that reduce waste and increase recycling, naming them "Best Workplaces for Waste Prevention and Recycling for 2014."
Garden product safety info now available through new Grow Smart, Grow SafeΠiPhone app
New app lists 1,000-plus lawn and garden chemicals, offers natural gardening tips
Lawn care: How to keep it safe and simpleDownload PDF 85 K
To help us break the yard chemical habit, let's look at five common reasons consumers choose these products, and why they don't hold water—Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
Time running out to apply for King County ‘Best Workplaces for Waste Prevention, Recycling’ list
June 13 deadline to get on annual list recognizing exceptional waste prevention and recycling efforts
Earth Day is Every Day: Local Solutions to Global Problems external link
The national ClimateMama climate change awareness blog features the King County EcoConsumer program's new videos.
KOMO4 News: Green Jobs Youtube
Green jobs help reduce climate change and more! To illustrate the wealth of green job opportunities available, EcoConsumer Tom Watson and anchor Mary Nam are joined by special guests Joshua Bennett with Nova Solar Windows, Julie Quach with Four Sisters Gourmet Sauces and Jenna Walenga with the City of Bellevue's Tracks program.
King County's Spanish-language recycling campaign earns top outreach honor
King County’s Recicla más. ¡Es facilísimo! (Recycle more. It’s easy to do!) campaign took home the WSRA’s Recycler of the Year award in the public education category.
KOMO4 News: Earth Day Youtube
EcoConsumer Tom Watson and anchor Mary Nam have fun celebrating Earth Day with special guests Michaelene Fowler (modeling green Eileen Fisher fashions), Susan Gregory from Sustainable NE Seattle and Alex Currier from True Blue Aquaponics.
King County honoring its Earth Heroes
Environmental stewards to be recognized at May 1 event
Local celebrities speak out on environment
King County EcoConsumer Earth Day campaign addresses climate change with action, fun
Apply now for King County 'Best Workplaces for Waste Prevention and Recycling' list
Annual list recognizes exceptional waste prevention and recycling efforts; King County businesses must apply by June 13 deadline
KOMO4 News: Green Kitchen Youtube
EcoConsumer Tom Watson and anchor Mary Nam have fun with eco-friendly ideas for the kitchen.
King County Spanish-language education program 'Recicla mⳮ
s facilmo!' honored
King County's work to help get the word out about recycling programs and services to non-English speaking constituents has been honored by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).
KOMO4 News: Eco-Babies Youtube
It's never been easier to go green and save money on baby products and supplies! EcoConsumer Tom Watson shows anchor Molly Shen fun and innovative ideas, joined by proud parents Jeanette and Trent Jurgensen with baby Elliott.
King County continues leadership of regional sustainability planning with roundtable series
King County Executive Dow Constantine will highlight the County’s ongoing commitment to addressing climate change during remarks at the Sustainable Cities Roundtable fifth-anniversary event, Thursday, March 13 at the Bullitt Center external link in Seattle.
10 Creative Green Ways Families Can Save Some Green external link
King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson shares easy tips to save cash and resources—from ParentMap.
GoGreen Seattle: Going beyond business and sustainability as usual
2014 Keynotes Feature King County Executive Dow Constantine, Tesla Co-Founder Kimbal Musk and Darigold CEO Jim Wegner
EnviroStars team wins Grand Award
Local businesses recognized for environmental efforts
Give your business a green EnviroStars valentine
We heart local businesses, helping them out with sustainable practices and marketing support
Learn how to recycle more through free King County program
Master Recycler Composter classes teach others to waste less, recycle more; Sign up by April 30.
Nominations sought for King County's Earth Heroes at School awards program
Honoring outstanding efforts to educate youth, protect environment; program nominations are due March 10 for the 2014 awards.
Convenient hazardous waste disposal available year-round in King County
Get rid of old car batteries, oil, solvents and other household hazardous waste through a program that is available to all King County residents, at no charge.