1/11/2006

Seattle Post-Intelligencer (Seattle, WA);

ON SEATTLE'S TOUGHER RECYCLING RULES

Tim Croll, solid-waste director for Seattle Public Utilities: "The first week of enforcement has shown that Seattle really is a `recycling city.' "

This month, Seattle started to enforce a 2005 recycling ordinance that requires citizens and businesses to make sure they place no more than 10 percent recyclables in their garbage. If they do, they could face fines.

Croll said that out of 150,000 households, 77 garbage cans were left behind by garbage collectors last week for having too many recyclables in them.

THE PROBLEM

How to get King County residents to reduce their waste through recycling and composting.

THE ISSUE

Our landfills are filling, and our present sewage-treatment facilities are at capacity.

WHAT TO DO

Become a master recycler composter: Take a King County class to learn more about waste prevention, recycling, composting, natural yard care and how best to dispose of such hazardous household wastes as oven cleaners, paint thinners and pesticides.

YOU ARE AFFECTED IF

You care about the environment.

You want to spread the word about composting and recycling.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

Here's what King County's Solid Waste Division has to say about composting on its Web site:

"It encourages the growth of earthworms and other macro-organisms, whose tunneling makes room for water and air.

"Provides nitrogen phosphorus, potassium, sulfur and micro-organisms essential for plant growth.

"Acts as a glue holding water and soil particles together, and makes soil resistant to erosion.

"Binds itself to polluting metals, pesticides and other contaminants to prevent them from washing into waterways or being absorbed by plants.

"Suppresses soil-borne plant diseases and plant pathogens."