2022 Earth Matters Newsletter by Pierce County

APRIL 2022

Earth Matters ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS FROM PIERCE COUNTY • • • •

EARTH DAY ACTIONS INSIDE

Find ways to go electric Learn about sustainable transportation options Take a free composting class Discover alternatives to the landfill

Planning for Sustainability We’re approaching one year since the passage of Pierce County’s Sustainability 2030 Greenhouse Gas Reduction plan. Through 77 actions in five focus areas, the plan aims to reduce the county’s greenhouse gas emissions 45% by 2030. Beyond reducing emissions, the plan’s actions also strengthen our economy, Learn more about the plan and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction: PierceCountyWa.gov/Sustainability

improve air and water quality, and support public health. How do we achieve this goal? A majority of our electricity mix comes from clean hydropower, so choosing electric options for everyday activities is key to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

It’s Electric!

From transportation to home appliances and beyond, an increasing number of electric options exist for items we use every day.

Airplanes

Cooking Equipment

Ferries, Ships & Port Equipment

Heat Pumps Public Buses, School Buses & Delivery Trucks

Landscaping Equipment

Cars & Trucks

Electric Bicycles

Printed on 30% post-consumer recycled paper and recyclable through Pierce County’s curbside recycling program.

Earth Matters

ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS FROM PIERCE COUNTY FREE Online Classes | Spring 2022

Sustainable Gardens

COMPOSTING YOUR FOOD & YARD WASTE Interested in bringing sustainable approaches to every aspect of your outdoor spaces? Learn about sustainable garden practices, including composting food and yard waste at home, and how to create environmentally friendly outdoor spaces. All are invited to attend composting classes taught by the Pierce County environmental educators. Register for each class to receive emailed handouts and the Zoom link beforehand.

Composting: What’s Hot with Rot?

Learn new ways to turn your food or garden waste into something useful! Get an overview of recycling organics and then find out about unique methods such as Hügelkultur, Bokashi, and Interbay Mulch.

THURSDAY

28 APR. 6 - 7:30 p.m.

IN-PERSON | Pierce County Library Summit Branch

Compost Exploration: Drop-In Event (No Registration)

Bring your tough questions and drop in to see us. Learn about worms and vermicomposting, how to set up Bokashi, learn what dig’n drop is, or get free bin plans for DIY hot composting. We’ll have examples of compost and soil, DIY soil testing, and activities for kids.

SATURDAY

30 APR. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

ONLINE EVENT

Home Composting & Tumblers

Get the dirt on backyard composting! Learn how to turn your home and garden organic waste into compost. We’ll focus on troubleshooting techniques along with how to balance carbon and nitrogen to really fire up any hot compost system. Several options will be explored including passive composting and single bin and multi-bin hot composting, with a special “how-to” on getting tumblers to work!

ONLINE EVENT

TUESDAY

03 MAY 6 - 7:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY

Worm Bin Composting

Learn how red worms turn food scraps into nutritious compost for your plants. We’ll dig into setting up and proper care and use for worm bin composting. We'll also troubleshoot common worm bin issues.

11 MAY 6 - 7:30 p.m.

ONLINE EVENT

Alternative Gardening

There are different ways, places, and types of gardening to connect us to the natural world. Join us to hear from local specialists about community gardens, natural yard care, rain gardens and rainwater harvesting. You’ll learn valuable techniques and collect resources to develop landscapes that are made to function sustainably with natural ecosystems.

THURSDAY

19 MAY 6 - 7:30 p.m.

Environmental Education Program for Schools & Community Groups Contact us for our free environmental and sustainability education program. We also have custom programs for schools, afterschool clubs, scout troops, garden groups, or other groups / agencies interested in learning more about making Pierce County a livable community. We work all over Pierce County, outside the City of Tacoma. If you are not part of a group, see our website about earning an EE Patch!

PierceCountyWa.gov/EnviroEd

EnviroEd@PierceCountyWa.gov

(253) 798-2179

Earth Matters

ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS FROM PIERCE COUNTY

JOIN US

New Washington State Law Single-Use Items by Request Only

2022 Events

Apr. 23 | 9:30 - 11 a.m.

Garden Bugs, Diseases and Non-Toxic Alternatives ONLINE EVENT

May 7 | 9:30 - 11 a.m.

Fall and Winter Gardening EASTSIDE FAMILY SUPPORT CENTER

May 21 | 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

• • • • •

Forks Knives Spoons Cold Cup Lids Cocktail Picks

• • • • •

Straws Stirrers Chopsticks Splash Sticks Condiment Packets

Learn more at Ecy.Wa.gov/ServiceWare

Garden Summit ONLINE EVENT

Sept. 10 | 9:30 - 11 a.m. Composting Basics ONLINE EVENT

Sept. 24 | 9:30 - 11 a.m. Seed Saving

PIERCE TRIPS Commute Planning

Car congestion and traffic are things most of us can relate to—and dislike. Pierce Trips is here to support Pierce County residents, commuters and employers explore new and sustainable ways to commute.

What is Pierce Trips?

Oct. 8 | 9:30 - 11 a.m.

Putting the Garden to Bed

Pierce Trips provides residents, commuters and employers with sustainable transportation information and news along with support services and programs to partnering employers.

ONLINE EVENT

What is a sustainable trip?

ONLINE EVENT

Oct. 22 | 9:30 - 11 a.m. Fruit Trees for the PNW

Walking, biking, taking transit, carpooiling, vanpooling, riding the train, teleworking or compressing work weeks are all ways to get around in a sustainable way.

Why should I try Pierce Trips?

Shred Events

are back in 2022! Have your sensitive documents shredded and recycled at a Shred Event near you.

Find dates, times and locations at: PierceCountyWa.gov/Shred Remember that shredded paper is not accepted in your curbside recycling container.

There are many reasons why someone would take a sustainable trip, including wanting to spend less money on fuel, to relax or exercise more, and to help protect the environment.

For Sustainable Trips Try Transit Plan your trip by visiting PierceTrips.com/TripPlanning

Share the Ride Visit RideShareOnline.com to find a carpool or vanpool partner to commute to work with. It only takes three people to start a vanpool. First month is free! Learn more about Pierce Trips and log your sustainable trips on the Pierce Trips Calendar to enter to win prizes at PierceTrips.com.

Drop it Off!

Every Wednesday we share a waste less tip on the Pierce County Planning and Public Works Facebook page. Popular tips often center around what to do with items you can’t recycle from home, and shouldn't throw away.

ALTERNATIVES TO THE LANDFILL Paint

Recycle old and unwanted paint for free at PaintCare drop-off locations. Latex, oil and acrylic based paints like primer, sealers, stains and clear coating 5 gallons or less accepted. Find a location near you at PaintCare.org.

Electronics

Washington State offers free electronic recycling at E-Cycle locations. Computers, monitors, tablets, video game consoles, cables, and televisions accepted. Find a location near you at 1800Recycle.wa.gov.

Clothes

Don’t put clothing and other textiles like bedding or towels in your recycling bin. If in good shape, drop off used clothing at local thrift stores.

Household Hazardous Waste

Items like cleaners, gasoline, oil, and pesticides should never be poured down the drain, onto the ground, into storm sewers or thrown away. For a full list of accepted items, volume limits and drop-off locations visit PierceCountyWa.gov/hhw.

Batteries

Rechargeable batteries (like lithium ion) should always be disposed of as household hazardous waste. If these end up in your curbside cart, they can present very serious danger for waste handling employees. Alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, etc.) can go directly in your garbage cart.

Glass

Not accepted in curbside recycling bins. You can take it to one of the numerous glass drop-off locations in Pierce County. Find a location near you at PierceCountyWa.gov/Glass.

Why isn’t glass accepted curbside? Watch Beyond the Recycling Bin to learn more about curbside recycling in Pierce County.

Find new Waste Less Tips every Wednesday on the Pierce County Planning & Public Works Facebook page.

Facebook.com/PierceCountyPPW

Curbside Collection Contact Information • Murrey’s Disposal • American Disposal • DM Disposal MurreysDisposal.com (888) 806-7048

• LeMay Enterprises • Lakewood Refuse • Pierce County Refuse LemayPierceCountyRefuse.com (253) 537-8687

• University Place Refuse • Westside Disposal UpRefuse.com (253) 564-3212

Contact Service Providers to: • • •

1. Hidden Valley 1

(253) 847-7555 17925 Meridian E., Puyallup Open Daily | 8 a.m. - 5:45 p.m HHW: Tues. & Thurs.

Transfer Stations

2. Purdy 2

Ask billing questions Find your collection schedule Report service issues

in Pierce County

6 5

3 1

(253) 847-7555 14515 54th Ave., Gig Harbor Open Daily | 9 a.m. - 4:45 p.m Recycling/Disposal

3. Prairie Ridge 3

(253) 847-7555 11710 Prairie Ridge Dr. E., South Prairie Open Daily | 9 a.m. - 4:45 p.m Recycling/Disposal

4. 4 Key Center

(253) 847-7555 5900 Block, Key Peninsula Hwy. Weds. - Sun. | 9 a.m. - 4:45 p.m Recycling/Disposal

5. 5 Anderson Island

(253) 847-7555 9607 Steffensen Rd., Anderson Island Sun. - Mon. | 10 a.m. - 6 p.m Recycling/Disposal

6. Tacoma 6

(253) 502-2100 3510 S Mullen St., Tacoma Open Daily | 8 a.m. - 6 p.m Accepts Recycling/HHW from Pierce County Residents HHW= Household Hazardous Waste

For More Information

Household Hazardous Waste

Sustainable Resources

Tacoma-Pierce County Health Dept.

Pierce County Planning & Public Works (253) 798-2179 PierceCountyWa.gov/Recycle PcRecycle@PierceCountyWa.gov

& Environmental Heath Info 1-800-287-6429 tpchd.org Info@tpchd.org

Code Enforcement

(253) 798-4636 PierceCountyWa.gov/CodeEnforcement PcResponds@PierceCountyWa.gov

Connect with Us /PierceCountyPPW @PierceCo @PierceCounty

Pierce County - Executive + Council Council

DISTRICT 4

CHAIR, DISTRICT 7

Ryan Mello

DISTRICT 1

Marty Campbell

DISTRICT 2

Jani Hitchen

DISTRICT 3

Executive

Derek Young, Dave Morell Hans Zeiger Amy Cruver

DISTRICT 5 DISTRICT 6

Bruce Dammeier

Earth Matters

ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS FROM PIERCE COUNTY 2,100 residents took the last Earth Matters survey.

Always recycle cardboard and metal cans.

We learned you care about equity, sustainability and greenhouse gas reduction, food waste, and improving recycling.

Almost 30% of what goes to the landfill is comprised of cardboard and metal/ aluminum cans that can be recycled in your curbside bin.

Learn to compost. Pierce County environmental educators offer free virtual classes that teach residents who live in both houses and apartments how to dispose of food waste in an earth-friendly way. Find the class schedule and sign-up at PierceCountyWa.gov/EnviroClasses.

Go electric for yard care. Switch to electric leaf blowers, weed whackers, and lawnmowers. Electric yard care can significantly improve air quality and reduce noise.

91% of survey respondents said they were somewhat or very concerned about climate change, enough to change the way they live. 51.5% Very Concerned 39.7% Somewhat Concerned 8.8% Not Concerned

What You Can Do About Climate Change

Join the Pierce Trips Bike Everywhere Challenge in May. Active transportation like biking and walking, even once a week, is a great way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Hop on your bike and log at least 10 bike trips in the Pierce Trips calendar for a chance to win prizes. Sign up to view local resources like a bike map and how to get a low-cost bike helmet at PierceTrips.com.

Remember reusable items. Recent state laws aim to reduce singleuse plastic waste by charging for plastic bags at the store and requiring restaurants to no longer automatically distribute utensils and other single-use items. Keep these common items in your car, backpack or purse to ensure you’re always prepared to be a sustainable shopper and diner.

Help Reduce Recycling Contamination

in Pierce County

Contamination is any item disposed of in a recycling bin that’s not accepted for recycling in our community.

21%

of curbside recyling in Pierce County is contaminated.

3.8% Glass

Top 4 contaminants

in curbside recycling carts: 1. Glass 3. Clothing 4. Food Waste

Not Efficient for Sorting

79%

Accepted Materials

Types of contamination we see in Pierce County:

Items like glass or clothing that can be recycled at a drop-off location but not in curbside containers.

Why is contamination a problem?

High Costs + Safety Risks

Plastic Bags, Clothing, & Scrap Metal

12.3%

Garbage

Items that are accepted in our curbside recycling program but are not clean, empty, and/or dry.

2. Plastic Bags / Wrap

Ruins Other Recyclables

4.9%

Items that should have gone into a curbside garbage container.

Always recycle these 4 core items: Paper

Alumninum Cans + Steel

Cardboard

Plastic Jugs + Bottles

Want to learn more? Flip this page over to view our recycling menu!

Earth Matters

ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS FROM PIERCE COUNTY

aluminum cans

METAL

metal cans

tubs

(flat)

cardboard

buckets

(remove handle)

NO GLASS NO PLASTIC BAGS OR WRAP NO BAGGED RECYCLABLES

boxes and bags

jugs

Recycle plastics by shape. Ignore numbers/symbols on packaging.

empty · clean (quick rinse) · no lids

PREPARATION

piercecountywa.gov/recycle

mixed paper

PAPER

(non-prescription ok)

bottles

PLASTIC

RECYCLING

Revised 3/19

all cartons

shredded paper

prescription bottles

glass

plastic bags and wrap

(at participating grocery stores)

household hazards

Find locations for these items plus options for electronics, appliances, mattresses, clothing, foam packaging and more: piercecountywa.gov/recyclemenu

(use a shred event)

NO ELECTRONICS NO HAZARDOUS WASTE

coffee pods

aluminum foil, pans and plates

utensils and straws

foam trays and containers

plastic cups

plastic packaging

piercecountywa.gov/reminders

Want to know why some things belong in the garbage?

paper cups

greasy pizza boxes

paper towels and napkins

DROP-OFF

all lids

paper plates

SINGLE-USE ITEMS:

crinkly plastics

GARBAGE