EARTH MATTERS
discounts to residents and businesses for upgrades that save energy and reduce greenhouse gas panels, insulation and more. Learn which federal savings are available to you at PierceCountyWa.gov/HomeEnergy
ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS FROM PIERCE COUNTY Find ways to reduce food waste
EARTH DAY ACTIONS INSIDE
1 2 Reduce materials going into the landfill
WHY CARE ABOUT FOOD WASTE?
We’ve all done it…thrown away what was once edible food. This problem of wasting food extends far beyond our home kitchens. When food ends up creates methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and all the water, energy, labor and fuel used to grow and transport that food is wasted.
National research shows that a family of four loses approximately $1,500 each year on wasted food. In Pierce County, more than 94,000 people are food insecure, yet 40,000 tons of edible food are thrown away in our homes.
1 2 3 4 5
3 Explore tax credits
4 Take a free recycling or composting class
Steps to reduce wasted food:
Plan your meals
Use your plan to make a grocery list. Request a free meal planning notepad.
Store your produce properly! Use our guide provided at PierceCountyWa.gov/FoodWaste.
Label leftovers or excess ingredients in your fridge freeze your leftovers.
Put fruit and vegetable scraps in your yard waste
SUSTAINABILITY 2030 PLAN REFRESH
more trees, and move towards 100% clean electricity. We can’t do this work alone, and we’ll need help create jobs, and reduce emissions.
It’s time for an update to the Sustainability 2030 Plan to keep it actionable and moving us in the right direction. Tell us what you think!
View progress on the Plan, explore new geographic greenhouse gas inventory data, and take the Sustainability 2030 Plan Survey to share your ideas at PierceCountyWa.gov/Sustainability2030.
2023
Discounts and credits for these federal programs may vary depending on your personal economic circumstances.
EARTH MATTERS 2023 30% OFF Solar Panels $7,500
Vehicle 30% OFF New Insulation 30% OFF Weatherized Doors & Windows $2,000 OFF Heat Pump
OFF Electric
EARTH MATTERS
FREE
Register for Classes
Paint
Virtual & In-Person Classes
SUSTAINABLE GARDENS
Composting your food and yard waste
PierceCountyWa.gov/EnviroClasses
Call us at (253) 798-2179
sealers, stains, and clear coats in the original container of 5 gallons or less are accepted. Find a location near you at PaintCare.org.
sustainable touches in your outdoor spaces. Join us to learn about composting and other sustainable garden
Electronics
Live Compost Demonstration - IN PERSON
near you at ECycleWa.org.
SATURDAY
April 15
1 - 3 p.m. in Puyallup
or
SATURDAY
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
sites. See a working worm bin and hot composting in action, how to build a hot compost pile and the ins and outs of how to pollinator craft to take home.
Composting: What’s Hot with Rot? - ONLINE
May 13 1 - 3 p.m. in Gig Harbor
be thrown in the trash or poured down the drain, onto the ground, or into storm drains. For a full list of accepted items, volume limits
PierceCountyWa.gov/HHW.
Unused Medicine
THURSDAY
April 20
6 - 7:30 p.m.
the safe return and disposal of expired or unwanted medicine. Find MED-Project.org.
Worm Bin Composting - ONLINE
compost for your plants. We’ll dig into setting up, caring for, and troubleshooting worm bin composting.
Batteries
No-Yard Gardening - ONLINE
THURSDAY
April 27
6 - 7:30 p.m.
PierceCountyWa.gov/Batteries
No yard, no problem! We’ll share some practical and innovative ways to use the space that you have to grow food and supplement your groceries.
Find more locations where you can drop o unwanted items for recycling or donation: PierceCountyWa.gov/RecyclingMenu
THURSDAY
May 4
6 - 7:30 p.m.
Need to repair vacuums, computers, or zippers? Find local repair services with the RepairEconomyWa.org map!
2023 EDIBLE GARDENS WORKSHOP SERIES
Explore the basics of successful vegetable gardening in the Pacific Northwest—from seed to table. The FREE Edible Gardens classes run through October and are o ered either in person, virtually via Zoom, or as a hybrid (both in person and online).
Follow us for weekly WASTE LESS TIPS for timely, actionable and local ways Pierce County residents can help reduce waste.
Facebook.com/PierceCountyPPW Instagram.com/PierceCounty
2023
See the Schedule at PierceCountyWa.gov/EdibleGardens
DROP IT OFF!
The more you know...
additional learning opportunities! These free virtual classes will teach you how to reduce PierceCountyWa.gov/SustainableResources
SUSTAINABILITY 101
Plan and to learn how to get involved in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Tuesday, April 25, 6-7:30 p.m.
• Thursday, May 11, 6-7:30 p.m.
RECYCLING 101
• Tuesday, May 2, 6-7:30 p.m.
• Thursday, May 18, 6-7:30 p.m.
PIERCE COUNTY
FARMS & CLIMATE IMPACTS
Join us for a panel discussion on ways climate change impacts growing food in Pierce County.
• Thursday, June 1, 6-7:30 p.m.
FREE Shred Events in 2023
Shredded paper is not accepted in your curbside recycling. Instead, bring intact paper documents containing sensitive information to a shred event for secure destruction and recycling. Three shopping bag limit per person.
Find dates, times and locations at: PierceCountyWa.gov/Shred
Sign up for more Earth Matters
View past versions online at: PierceCountyWa.gov/EarthMatters
Youth Under
18 Ride Transit for Free!
transit free for youth improves access for many Washingtonians and helps lower family transportation costs, which, on average, make
Youth can receive a free transit card through their school, on myORCA.com Shop at the Tacoma Dome Station.
to show one of the following to the driver, if
Youth Orca Card
Current High School or Middle School Student ID
The card will not expire if it’s registered on myORCA.com will continue to be valid and will automatically convert to an adult card on the cardholder’s 19th birthday. For more information, visit FreeYouthTransitPass.com
Find resources on how to ride the bus, trip planning, accessing parks and museums by bus, and much more at PierceTrips.com/Bus.
EARTH MATTERS
2023
FREE Virtual & In-Person Classes
Paint
SUSTAINABLE
GARDENS
Composting your food and yard waste
Register for Classes
PierceCountyWa.gov/EnviroClasses
Call us at (253) 798-2179
sealers, stains, and clear coats in the original container of 5 gallons or less are accepted. Find a location near you at PaintCare.org.
sustainable touches in your outdoor spaces. Join us to learn about composting and other sustainable garden
Electronics
Live Compost Demonstration - IN PERSON
near you at ECycleWa.org
sites. See a working worm bin and hot composting in action, how to build a hot compost pile and the ins and outs of how to pollinator craft to take home.
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
SATURDAY
April 15
1 - 3 p.m. in Puyallup
or
SATURDAY
May 13 1 - 3 p.m. in Gig Harbor
Composting: What’s Hot with Rot? - ONLINE
be thrown in the trash or poured down the drain, onto the ground, or into storm drains. For a full list of accepted items, volume limits
THURSDAY
Unused Medicine
PierceCountyWa.gov/HHW
April 20
6 - 7:30 p.m.
the safe return and disposal of expired or unwanted medicine. Find MED-Project.org.
Worm Bin Composting - ONLINE
compost for your plants. We’ll dig into setting up, caring for, and troubleshooting worm bin composting.
Batteries
No-Yard Gardening - ONLINE
THURSDAY
April 27
6 - 7:30 p.m.
PierceCountyWa.gov/Batteries.
No yard, no problem! We’ll share some practical and innovative ways to use the space that you have to grow food and supplement your groceries.
Find more locations where you can drop o unwanted items for recycling or donation: PierceCountyWa.gov/RecyclingMenu
THURSDAY
May 4
6 - 7:30 p.m.
Need to repair vacuums, computers, or zippers? Find local repair services with the RepairEconomyWa.org map!
2023 EDIBLE GARDENS WORKSHOP SERIES
Explore the basics of successful vegetable gardening in the Pacific Northwest—from seed to table. The FREE Edible Gardens classes run through October and are o ered either in person, virtually via Zoom, or as a hybrid (both in person and online).
Follow us for weekly WASTE LESS TIPS for timely, actionable and local ways Pierce County residents can help reduce waste.
Facebook.com/PierceCountyPPW Instagram.com/PierceCounty
DROP IT OFF!
See the Schedule at PierceCountyWa.gov/EdibleGardens
SAVE MONEY AND ENERGY
EARTH MATTERS
discounts to residents and businesses for upgrades that save energy and reduce greenhouse gas panels, insulation and more.
Learn which federal savings are available to you at PierceCountyWa.gov/HomeEnergy
WHY CARE ABOUT FOOD WASTE?
We’ve all done it…thrown away what was once edible food. This problem of wasting food extends far beyond our home kitchens. When food ends up creates methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and all the water, energy, labor and fuel used to grow and transport that food is wasted.
National research shows that a family of four loses approximately $1,500 each year on wasted food. In Pierce County, more than 94,000 people are food insecure, yet 40,000 tons of edible food are thrown away in our homes.
Steps
Plan your meals Use your plan to make a grocery list. Request a free meal planning notepad. Store your produce properly! Use our guide provided at PierceCountyWa.gov/FoodWaste. Label leftovers or excess ingredients in your fridge freeze your leftovers Put fruit and vegetable scraps in your yard waste
ENVIRONMENTAL 3 Explore tax credits 4 Take a free recycling or composting class 1 2 3 4 5
SUSTAINABILITY 2030 PLAN REFRESH
more trees, and move towards 100% clean electricity. We can’t do this work alone, and we’ll need help create jobs, and reduce emissions.
It’s time for an update to the Sustainability 2030 Plan to keep it actionable and moving us in the right direction. Tell us what you think!
View progress on the Plan, explore new geographic greenhouse gas inventory data, and take the Sustainability 2030 Plan Survey to share your ideas at PierceCountyWa.gov/Sustainability2030.
Discounts and credits for these federal programs may vary depending on your personal economic circumstances.
EARTH MATTERS 2023 30% OFF Solar Panels $7,500 OFF Electric Vehicle 30% OFF New Insulation 30% OFF Weatherized Doors & Windows $2,000 OFF Heat Pump
to
food:
reduce wasted
2023
EARTH DAY ACTIONS INSIDE NEWS FROM PIERCE COUNTY Find ways to reduce food waste 1 2 Reduce materials going into the landfill
HELP REDUCE RECYCLING CONTAMINATION IN PIERCE COUNTY
Paint
Contamination is any item disposed of in a recycling bin that’s not accepted for recycling in our community.
More than 20% of the material Pierce County residents put in their curbside recycling carts is considered contamination.
Please DO NOT put these items in your recycling bin:
sealers, stains, and clear coats in the original container of 5 gallons or less are accepted. Find a location near you at Electronics near you at ECycleWa.org.
PLASTIC BAGS AND WRAP get tangled in the sorting equipment. DO NOT BAG YOUR RECYCLABLES!
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
GLASS breaks in recycling carts and trucks, which contaminates the paper material and creates a hazard for employees during sorting. PierceCountyWa.gov/Glass
be thrown in the trash or poured down the drain, onto the ground, or into storm drains. For a full list of accepted items, volume limits
PierceCountyWa.gov/HHW
CLOTHING AND OTHER TEXTILES like sheets or towels do not belong in your recycling.
Unused Medicine
the safe return and disposal of expired or unwanted medicine. Find
WRONG PLASTICS – Pierce County recycles
plastic bottles, jugs, tubs and buckets. If it’s not the right shape it belongs in the garbage.
Batteries
DIRTY RECYCLABLES – recyclables need to be empty and clean. If there’s still food on
PierceCountyWa.gov/Batteries
BENEFITS of Recycling
Find more locations where you can drop o unwanted items for recycling or donation: PierceCountyWa.gov/RecyclingMenu
Reduces carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions
Creates jobs and builds a more circular economy
Saves natural resources
Need to repair vacuums, computers, or zippers? Find local repair services with the RepairEconomyWa.org map!
RESULTS of Contamination
Destroys value
Leads to greater waste
Want to learn more? Flip this page over to view our recycling menu!
Follow us for weekly WASTE LESS TIPS for timely, actionable and local ways Pierce County residents can help reduce waste.
Facebook.com/PierceCountyPPW Instagram.com/PierceCounty
DROP
OFF!
IT
EARTH MATTERS 2023
funded by a WA Department of Ecology LSWFA grant.
Want to know why some things belong in the garbage?piercecountywa.gov/reminders
aluminum foil, pans and plates
coffee pods
The more you know...
foam trays and containers
additional learning opportunities! These free virtual classes will teach you how to reduce PierceCountyWa.gov/SustainableResources
SUSTAINABILITY 101
and straws
plastic cups paper cups
prescription bottles
household hazards
Plan and to learn how to get involved in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Tuesday, April 25, 6-7:30 p.m.
• Thursday, May 11, 6-7:30 p.m.
RECYCLING 101
all cartons
• Tuesday, May 2, 6-7:30 p.m.
• Thursday, May 18, 6-7:30 p.m.
paper towels and napkins
greasy pizza boxes
crinkly plastics
paper plates
shredded paper (use a shred event) all lids
PREPARATION
empty · clean (quick rinse) · no lids
FARMS & CLIMATE IMPACTS
• Thursday, June 1, 6-7:30 p.m.
SINGLE-USE ITEMS: Recycle plastics by shape. Ignore numbers/symbols on packaging.
buckets (remove handle)
Join us for a panel discussion on ways climate change impacts growing food in Pierce County.
plastic packaging boxes and bags
DROP-OFF
Find locations for these items plus options for electronics, appliances, mattresses, clothing, foam packaging and more: piercecountywa.gov/recyclemenu
plastic bags and wrap (at participating grocery stores)
Youth Under 18 Ride Transit for Free!
glass
transit free for youth improves access for many Washingtonians and helps lower family transportation costs, which, on average, make
Revised 3/19
Youth can receive a free transit card through their school, on myORCA.com Shop at the Tacoma Dome Station.
cardboard (flat) jugs
to show one of the following to the driver, if
Youth Orca Card
FREE Shred Events in 2023
Shredded paper is not accepted in your curbside recycling. Instead, bring intact paper documents containing sensitive information to a shred event for secure destruction and recycling. Three shopping bag limit per person.
Find dates, times and locations at: PierceCountyWa.gov/Shred
Sign up for more Earth Matters
tubs bottles (non-prescription ok)
metal cans
piercecountywa.gov/recycle
PAPER PLASTIC METAL
View past versions online at: PierceCountyWa.gov/EarthMatters
mixed paper
Recordatorios de reciclaje
The card will not expire if it’s registered on myORCA.com will continue to be valid and will automatically convert to an adult card on the cardholder’s 19th birthday. For more information, visit FreeYouthTransitPass.com
aluminum cans
Find resources on how to ride the bus, trip planning, accessing parks and museums by bus, and much more at PierceTrips.com/Bus.
PIERCE COUNTY
NO GLASS NO PLASTIC BAGS OR WRAP NO BAGGED RECYCLABLES
Current High School or Middle School
NO ELECTRONICS NO HAZARDOUS WASTE
RECYCLING GARBAGE
•Lakewood
9850 64th St W University Place, WA 98467 ECRWSS - POSTAL CUSTOMER PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID TACOMA, WA PERMIT NO. 820
Disposal
Disposal
Disposal
Enterprises
•Murrey’s
•American
•DM
MurreysDisposal.com •LeMay
Refuse
County Refuse
•Pierce
Place Refuse
Westside Disposal
Contact Service Providers to: •
your collection schedule
Curbside Collection Contact Information Transfer Stations in Pierce County 1.Hidden Valley Recycling/Disposal HHW: Tues. & Thurs. 2.Purdy Recycling/Disposal 3.Prairie Ridge Recycling/Disposal 4.Key Center Recycling/Disposal 5.Anderson Island Recycling/Disposal 6.Tacoma Accepts Recycling/HHW mfro ierceP County Residents Tacoma-Pierce County Health Dept. Household Hazardous Waste & Environmental Heath Info Pierce County - Executive + Council tpchd.org Info@tpchd.org For More Information Pierce County Planning & Public Works Sustainable Resources Executive Council CHAIR, DISTRICT 4 DISTRICT 1 DISTRICT 2 DISTRICT 3 Report an Issue PierceCountyWa.gov/Works DISTRICT 5 DISTRICT 6 DISTRICT 7 /PierceCountyPPW @PierceCo @PierceCounty 1 3 2 4 5 6 Connect with Us 1 2 3 4 5 6
LemayPierceCountyRefuse.com •University
•
UPRefuse.com
•Find
•