Recycling Resources

Local Resources

Washington offers a variety of recycling and reuse resources, including donation sites for clothing, household items, electronics, and building materials. Tool libraries also provide free or low-cost access to shared tools, promoting sustainability and community projects.

Reuse Stores & Donation Sites

Textiles & Household Items

• Goodwill Industries
• USAgain
• Northwest Center

Electronics

• WA State Dept. of Ecology
• US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Building Materials

• Second Use Building Materials
• The RE Store
• Habitat for Humanity ReStore

Tool Libraries

A tool library allows community members to borrow tools, equipment, and instructional materials—functioning either as a rental shop (with a charge for borrowing the tools), or more commonly, free of charge.

These libraries promote resource sharing and sustainability by offering:

• Lending: A wide range of tools for volunteer projects, facility maintenance, community improvement events, and special events.
• Advocacy: Encouraging the responsible and timely return of tools to maintain inventory for future use.
• Maintenance: Regular upkeep and repairs to keep tools in good condition and extend the lifespan of the inventory.

• Find a local tool lending library
• Learn how to start your own tool library

Composting Guide

Composting is an important part of waste reduction. According to a post on One Green Planet, there are a number of reasons why composting is the greenest thing you can do.

The Power of Composting: Three Key Benefits

• Composting Reduces Waste and Emissions When food waste is sent to landfills, it decomposes without oxygen, producing methane—a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. Composting diverts organic waste from landfills and incinerators, reducing harmful emissions while creating a valuable resource.
• Composting Enriches the Land Through natural decomposition, compost transforms organic waste into nutrient-rich material that enhances soil health. Compost made from diverse organic materials introduces essential micronutrients, promoting plant growth. Try this simple experiment: plant one seedling in regular soil and another in soil mixed with compost. The compost-fed plant will likely thrive, demonstrating its powerful benefits.
• Composting Connects Us to Nature’s Cycle In nature, nothing goes to waste—everything decomposes and contributes to new growth. Composting helps us embrace this natural cycle, shifting our perspective on waste from a problem to a solution. By returning organic matter to the earth, we support the environment and recognize the essential balance of life, decay, and renewal.

The US Environmental Protection Agency offers valuable resources on food sustainability:

• Check out the EPA’s helpful guide for composting at home
• Learn about the Sustainable Management of Food
• Explore their Food Loss & Waste 2030 Reduction goal

Composting Contamination Group

The Organics Contamination Reduction Workgroup (OCRW) was established in May 2015 to reduce contamination in residential and commercial organics while expanding end products and markets for finished compost. The group includes over 90 stakeholders from municipal, county, and state government; processors; packaging manufacturers; environmental consultants; waste and recycling haulers; advocacy groups; private businesses; and engaged residents. OCRW’s work was carried out through four subcommittees: Contractual Policies, Participant Education & Outreach, Upstream Systems, and Organics Processing.

The Washington State Organics Contamination Workgroup Report and Toolkit represents two years of collaboration among stakeholders across the state. This report reflects the dedication, expertise, and contributions of its members. However, the work is far from over—this report serves as a starting point for the ongoing effort to eliminate organics contamination from residential and commercial waste streams.

If you’re not yet involved, we encourage you to join the OCRW and contribute to the next phase of this project. Now a subcommittee of WORC, the OCRW welcomes new participants. To get involved or join the email list, contact Edward Wheeler at 360.629.2933 (ext. 1006).

Fun fact: The OCRW was born from a breakout session at the 2015 WSRA conference!

Reducing Waste

Reducing food waste is an easy yet impactful way to conserve resources, minimize landfill waste, and save money. From donating unwanted items to cutting down on junk mail and making sustainable holiday choices, small changes can add up to a big difference. Explore the sections below for practical ways to reduce waste in your daily life.

Buy Used & Donate Unwanted Items

You can find everything from clothes to building materials at specialized reuse centers and consignment shops. Often, used items are less expensive and just as good as new. Instead of discarding unwanted appliances, tools, or clothes, try donating them.

Not only will you be reducing waste, you’ll be helping others. Local churches, community centers, thrift stores, schools, and nonprofit organizations may accept a variety of donated items, including used books, working electronics, and unneeded furniture.

Reduce Food Waste

Most people don’t realize how much food they throw away every day — from uneaten leftovers to spoiled produce. More than 96 percent of the food we throw away ends up in landfills. In 2011, we  put more than 36 million tons of food waste in the landfill. Once in landfills, food breaks down to produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas which contributes to climate change.

Benefits of Reducing Food Waste

• Saves money by reducing food purchases.
• Lowers methane emissions from landfills, reducing your carbon footprint.
• Conserves energy and resources by minimizing the environmental impact of food production, transportation, and waste disposal.
• Supports your community by donating surplus, untouched food to those in need.

How to Reduce Wasted Food

• Check your fridge first! Use what you already have before buying more.
• Plan ahead. Create a menu before shopping and stick to your list.
• Buy smart. Only purchase what you’ll realistically use—bulk savings don’t help if food goes to waste.
• Get creative. Use edible food parts you’d normally discard—stale bread makes great croutons, and beet tops can be sautéed for a tasty side.
• Donate surplus. Safe, untouched food can help those in need at food banks.
• Preserve fresh produce. Freeze, can, or dehydrate extra fruits and vegetables, especially when in season.
• Order mindfully. At restaurants, ask about portion sizes, be mindful of included sides, and take home leftovers.
• Serve what you can eat. At buffets, take only what you can finish.
• Compost food scraps. Keep organic waste out of landfills.

Reduce Junk Mail

Cut down on unwanted mail and reduce paper waste by opting out of unnecessary deliveries.

• National Yellow Pages Consumer Choice & Opt-Out Site—Stop receiving printed telephone directories by opting out.
• Catalog Opt-Out Site—Eliminate unwanted catalogs and declutter your mailbox by opting out.

Holiday Waste Reduction Tips & Tools

Provided by WSRA members, here are some helpful resources to help you minimize your waste this holiday season. Explore the links below to find DIY (Do-It-Yourself) gift ideas, energy conservation tips, tree recycling events, homemade wrapping paper tutorials, tools for families, and much more!

We encourage you to share what you learn with your friends, family, and co-workers. Happy Holidays!

• Season Greenings – Kitsap County Solid Waste
• Green Holidays – King County
• Green Neighbors – Clark County

Recycling Partner Organizations

Northwest Organizations

There are a number of groups and organizations in the Pacific Northwest that join WSRA in working on waste reduction and recycling in the state of Washington. Some of these groups include:

• Association of Oregon Recyclers—A nonprofit trade association focused on advancing recycling and waste prevention in Oregon.
• Northwest Product Stewardship Council—A coalition of government organizations in Washington and Oregon working with the waste and recycling industry, consumers, manufacturers, and others to connect producers with the costs. association with the end-of life management of their products and to provide incentives for reducing waste, increasing recyclability, and reducing the toxicity of products.
• Northwest Earth Institute—Provides a framework to talk about our relationship with the planet and to share in discovering new ways to live, work, create, and consume.
• Washington Organic Recycling Council—Supports public and private efforts to reclaim, reuse, and recycle organic materials through education, research, and advocacy, promoting sustainable processing and beneficial end uses.
• Washington Refuse & Recycling Association—A statewide trade association representing Washington’s diverse and multifaceted solid waste handling industry.
• Zero Waste Washington—A advocates for products designed and produced to be health, safe, and continually recycled and reused.

National Organizations

• Container Recycling Institute (CRI)—A nonprofit organization focused on making North America a global model for the collection and quality recycling of packaging materials.
• National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR)—Promotes the use and recycling of PET packaging while advocating for its environmental benefits.
• National Recycling Coalition (NRC)—Works to promote and enhance recycling efforts across the United States.
• Steel Recycling Institute (SRI)—Supports and sustains steel can recycling through education and advocacy.
• US Composting Council—A national nonprofit dedicated to advancing composting and the recycling of organic materials.

Recycling Policy & Markets

China’s National Sword policy

China’s “National Sword” policy, implemented in 2018, imposed strict restrictions on the import of recyclable materials, significantly disrupting global recycling markets. Washington state, like many others, faced substantial challenges as China’s policies affected both residential and commercial recycling programs, creating confusion and contamination issues.

The Washington State Recycling Association (WSRA) has been actively monitoring the situation and providing resources to help navigate these changes, including hosting events, publishing reports, and working closely with state agencies like the Department of Ecology. The policy’s impact on Washington’s recycling system continues to evolve, and local governments are adapting strategies to ensure the effectiveness of recycling programs amid these global shifts.

WSRA Events in Response to National Sword:

• 2018 Annual Conference: Held at Semiahmoo Resort (May 20-23), the theme was “Navigating the Waves of Change” focusing on the industry’s adjustments.
• ContaminationFest WRED Event: Explored recycling contamination and solutions to reduce it.
• WSRA Fall Policy Forum: Held December 6, 2017, to discuss the impacts of the China National Sword policy.

Washington State Department of Ecology Updates:

The Department of Ecology is expanding its commingled recycling project, collaborating with local governments, processors, and others to adapt to new regulations. Local governments are encouraged to stay flexible as the recycling system adjusts.

Best Practices for Commingled Recycling:

• Keep recyclables clean and dry. Food residue and water reduce their value.
• Follow local recycling guidelines, which may change over time.
• If unsure, throw it out. Non-recyclable items can contaminate the system.
• Materials like aluminum, cardboard, and certain plastics (#1 and #2 bottles) are still in demand

For more information:

• Impacts of export restrictions on recyclables
• Improving commingled recycling in Washington

WSRA Member Responses & Resources:

• Methow Recycles
• Clark County Green Blog: Discusses uncertainty in recycling markets.
• Joint News Release: City of Vancouver and Clark County Health Department
• City of Kirkland Blog Post: Addresses rumors about recycling plastics being thrown away.
• Recology CleanScapes: Details how China’s policy is affecting recycling rules.

Additional Resources from National and Local Partners:

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (OR DEQ):

• Recycling Markets Updates

National Waste News:

• Resource Recycling—Charting the changes in recycling market turmoil
• Resource Recycling—China roundup: CCIC update, intense inspections and more
• WasteDive—How recycling has changed in all 50 states
• WasteDive—One Year Later: How China has reshaped US recycling
• Waste360—China’s Changing Import Regulations – What Does It All Mean?

ISRI (Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries):

• China’s Scrap Trade Policy: Updates and comments on proposed import standards.

The Recycling Partnership:

• Webinar: National Sword: What Is It and How Will It Impact My Program – The Recycling Partnership offers both the webinar slides and a summary of attendee questions.
• Dylan de Thomas Interview: Watch Dylan de Thomas of The Recycling Partnership discuss National Sword with CGTN America.
• Contamination Resources: Find helpful resources on combating contamination.