Submitted by Thurston County Solid Waste
Your Resource for Great Information:
Say the words “Solid Waste,” and most people think of garbage. But the Solid Waste team at Thurston County thinks about a lot more than just trash. Their mission is to “promote waste prevention and sustainable resource use in the County through education, technical assistance, and community building.” They see a future in which everyone in Thurston County makes informed and responsible choices about what we produce and consume, so that people create less waste.
Though the Thurston County Solid Waste (TCSW) department doesn’t collect your garbage or recycling (that’s done by your local hauler), we can help you learn what to do with it. Want to know where to take a particular item for recycling? Try the Where Do I Take My…database.
Not sure what to put in your organics or recycle bin? Need to know where to take your old electronics, car batteries or old medications? Just want the address and hours for the Waste and Recovery Center? Visit the Solid Waste website for fast and easy answers to all your questions.
Education:
TCSW offers education opportunities for school age kids and community groups. Staff are available to present to small groups in the community (neighborhood associations, churches, libraries and clubs) on several topics including recycling and wasted food. We also provide a wide variety of age-appropriate learning opportunities for kids in K-8th grade on topics ranging from recycling, to marketing for teens and consumption to food systems. You can learn more about current presentations here. But you’ll have to book ahead – these programs are booked up for most of the 2015 school year!
Technical Assistance:
Food to Flowers (F2F) is a Solid Waste program that partners with schools to reduce wasted food, eliminate disposables and set up recycling programs. There are 32 schools and more than 14,000 students participating in an F2F program in Thurston County. On average, F2F schools are saving 15-20% on their total garbage and recycling collection costs. Learn more here.
In addition, twenty-four F2F schools are now setting aside prepared, but unserved food to donate to the Thurston County Food Bank. This food is then packaged into ready-to-eat meals for families in our community. This F2F program – called Restaurant Rescue – can provide schools with the assistance and supplies needed to join this program.
TCSW can help your business reduce waste too. Waste reduction (recycling and waste prevention) offers financial advantages, benefits the environment and can help to establish your organization as a good community citizen. Our staff can help you assess your waste stream, establish a baseline, and design your waste reduction program. In addition, as part of the Waste Less Food program, TCSW is looking for a few business innovators interested in reducing shrink, feeding the hungry and helping to pilot innovative and profitable ways to waste less food.
Whether you’re looking for specific solutions to specific waste-related problems, or trying to get informed about important issues that affect you and our community, TCSW is your one-stop-shop. For more information, contact us at 360-867-2491 or ThurstonSolidWaste@co.thurston.wa.us.
