RECYCLE OPTIONS

Everyone knows recycling means that less trash goes into landfill. But the greatest environmental benefit of recycling is the conservation of energy and natural resources and the prevention of pollution that is generated when a raw material is used to make a new product.

Hazardous Waste Disposal

Household hazardous wastes are products that contain corrosive, toxic, ignitable, or reactive ingredients, such as oil-based paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, and pesticides. Improper disposal can pollute the environment and pose a threat to human health.

• Location: Snohomish County Household Hazardous Waste 3434 McDougal Avenue

Everett, WA 98201

• snohomishcountywa.gov/477/ Hazardous-Waste

Tire Recycling

Waste tires are those no longer suitable for their intended purpose due to wear or damage. Accumulations of waste tires harbor mosquitos, snakes, and other vermin, which pose health risks, such as the mosquito-transmitted West Nile Virus. Waste tire accumulations also present a dangerous fire hazard and the potential to emit polluting tire smoke.

• Location: Snohomish Les Schwab Tire 711 Avenue D Snohomish, WA 98290

• Please call for details: 360-568-2527

• ecology.wa.gov/Waste-Toxics/ Reducing-recycling-waste/Wastereduction-programs/Waste-tires

Metals Recycling

Includes appliances such as ovens, stoves, hot water tanks, washing machines and dryers in addition to assorted other metals such as cans, scrap, and certain car parts.

• Location: Schnitzer Steel 23711 63rd Ave SE Woodinville, WA 98072

• Please call for details: 425-481-1828

• www.schnitzersteel.com/company/ metals-recycling

Yard Waste (Including Sod)

Yard waste removal services save you the hassles of disposing of your yard waste using other ineffective methods such as burning or having the waste decompose on the yard. Burning green waste is bad for the environment because it releases toxic fumes such as dioxins which are harmful when inhaled. Additionally, yard waste removal ensures that the green waste doesn’t reach landfills. This helps preserve the environment because yard waste would decompose anaerobically and release methane and other toxic greenhouse gases if deposited in the landfills. Many people believe sod is simple grass and able to go into the yard waste container for as part of residential service, but this just isn’t the case. When sod is produced it is grown through a fine nylon netting that is not compostable or easily biodegradable.

• Location: Topsoils Northwest 9010 Marsh Road, Snohomish, WA 98296

• (Please check website or call for details) 360-568-7645

• www.topsoilsnw.com/

Textile Recycling

Textiles can take hundreds of years to decompose which is why they are better off being recycled and reused immediately. Clothing and linens are updated often which is why it is essential to try to reuse the fabric, instead of the fabric occupying massive amounts of landfill space.

• Location: Goodwill drop off donation station 800 Block Avenue D Snohomish, WA 98290

• evergreengoodwill.org/locations/82snohomish

Composting

Composting improves the structure and health of your soil by adding organic matter, helps the soil retain moisture and nutrients, attracts beneficial organisms to the soil and reduces the need for pesticides and fertilizers, and reduces the potential for soil erosion.

• Location: Bailey Compost 12711 Springhetti Road Snohomish, WA 98296

• (Please check website or call for details) 360-568-8826

• www.baileycompost.com/

Vehicle Fluids

Petroleum products are a limited resource on Earth, which means we cannot generate more than we already have. The best way to use the resource is to reuse it. Unlike some recycled materials that are less effective in their second lives, properly recycled motor oil or antifreeze still offers a high-quality product after recycling. Using up all the earth’s oil and then throwing it away isn’t sustainable. But what makes it even less sustainable is the fact that when thrown away, the oil contaminates soil and groundwater. This is another great reason why petroleum-based products like motor oil and antifreeze should never be sent to a landfill.

• Location: O’Reilly’s Auto Parts 1327 Avenue D Snohomish, WA 98290

• Please call for details: 360-568-9674

• locations.oreillyauto.com/wa/ snohomish/autoparts-2757.html

Wood Stove Recycle

Unhealthy fine particles from wood smoke pose a risk to everyone. Children, older adults, and people with heart disease, asthma, and other lung diseases are the most at risk. Old, uncertified wood stoves and inserts are particularly polluting and inefficient. These wood stoves are no longer legal to sell, purchase, give away or re-install anywhere in Washington state due to the significant pollution they generate.

• Visit pscleanair.gov/409/Wood-StoveProgram

Appliances with Freon (Refrigerant)

When freon releases into the atmosphere, it reacts with the ultraviolet rays of the sun. Chlorine atoms are then released, which causes a chain reaction that breaks down the oxygen molecules that make up the earth’s ozone layer. The ozone keeps dangerous ultraviolet rays from reaching the surface of the planet, which is why freon is widely considered one of the most harmful environmental pollutants. Freon is classified as an ozone-depleting substance (ODS).

• Location: Appliance Recycling Outlet

• 10105 Airport Way Snohomish, WA 98290

• www.snohomishappliancerecycling.com

Medicine Disposal

Unused, unwanted and expired medicines in your home pose a risk to you, your family and your community. Accidental poisonings and overdoses are the leading cause of injury death in Snohomish County. Improper disposal of medicine— such as putting medicines in the garbage or flushing pills down the toilet—places other people and our environment at risk.

• Visit www.snohd.org/203/MedicineDisposal for participating locations and pharmacies