Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is gearing up to celebrate America Recycles Day on Saturday, encouraging residents to boost their recycling efforts. SPU will host informational booths at Lower Queen Anne (500 Mercer St) and North Beacon Hill (2500 Beacon Ave S), providing recycling tips, answering questions, and sharing insights on how the community can recycle more effectively, as per the city's announcement.
As noted by SPU on their blog post, recycling 10 plastic bottles, for instance, can power a laptop for a sweet 25 hours, and back in 2012, recycling was a powerhouse supporting 681,000 jobs and pouring $37.8 billion into the economy through wages. Plus, for Seattleites, the city's integrated waste model means more recycling equals less money spent on garbage services, and with the clear environmental benefits, such as reduced pollution and conserved resources, the call to recycle resonates on multiple levels.
Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) emphasizes the three key steps for proper recycling: empty, clean, and dry. Containers should be completely emptied of contents, rinsed or wiped clean to avoid contamination, and dried to prevent damage to materials like cardboard or paper. When unsure about whether an item is recyclable, SPU recommends using their “Where Does It Go?” tool—because when in doubt, it’s best to check first.
