Councilmember Palmer,

It was very nice to talk with you on yesterday.   

As promised, I am forwarding some information about plastics recycling in the City’s new program.  Renton customers are now able to recycle a variety of plastics; however, there are still many types of plastics that are not recyclable because there are not markets for them.  Specifically, you asked about the rigid clear plastics packaging that many electronics and other items come in.  These are not recyclable.  Waste Management encourages consumers to support efforts to encourage manufacturers to use less of this type of packaging.  While this type of packaging does provide protection for certain materials, it is overused in most cases.   

Recyclable plastics in the City’s program include all plastic bottles, jars, jugs and tubs.
Examples of plastics that are recyclable: water and soda bottles, peanut butter jars, milk jugs, and cottage cheese and yogurt tubs. 

I am sending you a link to Waste Management’s website that has a great section on plastic recycling (click on the underlined “Plastic Recycling” where is says No Plastics Bags in Recycling).

http://www.wmnorthwest.com/renton/recycling.html.,  This also links to a video on plastics recycling, and other information articles.

Also, King County’s solid waste division web site has a nice reference tool called:  What do I do with?  Here is a link to the site.  Just enter the item and follow the instructions and you can learn about the materials and where to recycle those items that are recyclable – but not in the City’s program.  http://your.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/index.asp

Please don’t hesitate to call me with any questions.  I can be reached on my cell at (206) 915-9183.

I am copying Councilmember Corman in case he would like to add this information to his Blog. 

Best wishes to you this week with your mother.

Susan

Susan Robinson
Waste Management, PNW
801 Second Ave., Seattle, WA  98104
o.  206-264-3073
c.  206-915-9183