Every November 15, America Recycles Day gives communities across the country a chance to recognize the role recycling plays in protecting our environment and strengthening our economy. Falling during National Recycling Month, it’s a good moment to look at how far Washington has come and where we go next.
A National Leader in Recycling
Washingtonians have a great deal to be proud of. Our state’s overall recovery rate is 49%, well above the national average of 32%. We also recycle at least 40% of our packaging materials. When you account for the materials successfully recycled or composted, Washington’s solid waste and recycling industry was 4.1 times carbon net zero in 2018.
That progress is the result of decades of partnership between consumers, cities, counties and the regulated companies that WRRA represents. Since 1947, our members, both family-owned and publicly traded, have invested in the trucks, carts and sorting facilities that keep recyclable materials out of the landfill. Today they serve 281 cities, 39 counties and 8 million residents, and the industry employs about 14,700 Washingtonians who drive trucks, sort materials and much more.
Successful, Affordable and Convenient
Curbside recycling is one of Washington’s great success stories. It is affordable: the average household pays about $8 to $10 a month for curbside recycling, or roughly 35 cents a day, as part of service that averages eight monthly pickups for trash, recycling and organics. It is convenient: 87% of residents have access to curbside service, and those who don’t can use 108 drop box locations in their communities.
Recycle Right at Home
Everyone can help keep that system strong by reducing contamination:
Empty, clean and dry. Rinse containers before recycling them.
No bags, please. Plastic bags aren’t needed to line your bin.
Check the label. The chasing arrows symbol doesn’t always mean an item is recyclable in your area. When in doubt, check with your local service provider.
Keep food and garbage out. Food and trash belong in your organics or garbage cart, not your recycling bin.
Looking Ahead
Washington’s recycling system is changing. Implementation of the Recycling Reform Act and expanded residential organics collection will require generational investments in the years ahead. WRRA will continue working with lawmakers, regulators and local governments to help protect consumers from paying more to recycle, rely on good data, expand markets for recycled content, improve truth in labeling and support anti-litter programs, because an item has no chance of being recycled if it never makes it into a bin.
About America Recycles Day: America Recycles Day, brought to you by Keep America Beautiful, is the only nationally recognized day that’s all about recycling! It’s a time to learn, get inspired, and take action. Whether at home, school, or work, we can all pitch in to recycle more and waste less.