Page 4 - Everyday Kitsap 2019

The second flaw is that
we cannot recycle items
that manufacturers don’t
want. Right now, nobody
forces manufacturers to
use recycled materials. It’s
often cheaper for them to
use new materials instead
of recycled ones, especially
when the price of oil is
low. Luckily, this is starting
to change. Thirteen
leading brands, retailers,
and packaging companies Guide are the ONLY items that can go easy to sell. We are studying the list
recently committed to using more into the recycling bin. Go to Recycle. right now and will notify you if we need
recyclable materials in their products. KitsapGov.com to see the guide. to make changes.
Read about these commitments at
NewPlasticsEconomy.org. Put only these items in the recycling: Demand innovation

The final flaw is one that you can help • Flattened and dry cardboard. Tape Tell the companies you buy from that
fix today: your recyclables are too dirty. is OK. you want long-lasting, repairable, and
Some people carelessly toss garbage recyclable products made with recycled
into the recycling, but most people • Clean paper and paper boxes that materials. Tell them in an email, on
care about recycling and think they’re are flat and larger than a postcard. social media, or by not buying their
recycling right. Unfortunately, many • Clean metal cans. Paper labels are products! Some companies say their
people are “wish-cycling.” This means OK. Leave the lid partially attached items are recyclable, but recyclers will
putting wrong or dirty items into the and push it into the can. tell you that this is not always true.
recycling cart with the hope they will
be washed or recycled by someone. • Clean glass bottles and jars. No Tell your government what types of
Our recycling system does not yet have other glass items allowed. Paper programs and regulations you want.
intelligent robots to sort and wash our labels are OK, but put caps in the 2019 has been a record-breaking year
recyclables with 100% accuracy. We rely trash. for Washington state waste reduction
on you doing the right thing! legislation. Read about these legislative
• Clean milk and juice cartons with efforts at ZeroWasteWashington.org.
What You Can Do to Help “gable-tops”. Reduce your personal waste

Recycle right • Clean plastic bottles, jugs, jars, If recycling has been your thing, take
and dairy tubs. No other plastic
Recyclables must be empty, clean, and items allowed. If your bottle is it to the next level! In this issue of
Everyday Kitsap, you’ll find tips for
dry. Wash dirty food containers with fully wrapped in a plastic sleeve, reducing your household’s waste.
soapy water (or in the dishwasher) and remove and throw away the Although the problem of waste does
shake it dry (or let it air dry). Do not sleeve. not rest solely on the shoulders of
“wish-cycle” items and don’t rely on the individuals, individual actions can and
misleading recycling symbol printed on As of May 2019, Kitsap County does not do push manufacturers and recyclers to
packages. have immediate plans to change our
recycling list. Years ago, we created our create better waste systems for a better
The items on Kitsap County’s Recycling list to include only items that are usually future.

pg 4 | Spring 2019 | KitsapGov.com