Small actions to help the planet and our community this earth month





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Celebrating Earth Month with waste reduction

Welcome to the April edition of Recycling and Garbage News! In this edition, we share how small actions can help the planet and our community this earth month.

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Save money and reduce food waste

It's National Food Waste Prevention Week! We're joining statewide efforts to cut food waste in half by 2030, and we need your help to get there. 

Food waste costs the average household about $1,500 a year. And it’s not just your wallet that pays the price. Food waste also has a big impact on the environment. When we send food to the landfill, it breaks down to create methane—a harmful greenhouse gas. You can be part of the solution with our food waste reductions tips.

*Be a savvy shopper*: Plan your meals before heading to the grocery store to reduce waste and stretch your grocery budget.

*Store and preserve food properly*: Storing foods the right way keeps perishables fresh for as long as possible. Some fruits and veggies love a cool dark home, while some prefer to be stored on the counter. Learn how to maximize freshness with our food storage guide [ [link removed] ]. 

*Cook creatively: *If your items are starting to spoil, get creative with recipes. From turning mushy tomatoes into tomato gravy or brown bananas into banana bread—there are so many possibilities! Find recipes at savethefood.com [ [link removed] ] and usefoodwell.org [ [link removed] ].

*Understand date labels on food: *Date labels on food are confusing and create unnecessary food waste. Except for infant formula, food that is stored properly may still be safe to eat if the date passes and until spoilage is evident. When in doubt, toss the item in the compost or garbage. Learn more about date labeling on USDA’s food product dating webpage [ [link removed] ].

*Help others, donate*: When you donate food, it goes to people who need it instead of the landfill. You can donate many non-perishable and unspoiled perishable foods to local food banks, pantries, and shelters [ [link removed] ].

*Compost your food scraps: *Food scraps in the landfill create methane – a powerful greenhouse gas. Composting turns food scraps into a nutrient-rich resource. Learn how to compost in Kitsap County with curbside composting [ [link removed] ], worm composting [ [link removed] ], or backyard composting [ [link removed] ].

 

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Upcoming recycling collection events

*Styrofoam Collection Event*

Get your Styrofoam ready, we’re hosting a Styrofoam Collection Event on Saturday, April 19, 2025, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds. Please make sure all Styrofoam is clean and dry, and all tape and labels are removed. Visit our events webpage [ [link removed] ] to learn more about what Styrofoam we’re accepting.

*Scrap Metal and Small Electronics Collection Event*

Save the date! We're hosting a Scrap Metal and Small Electronics Collection Event on Saturday, May 24, 2025, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds. We’re partnering with DTG and 1 Green Planet to recycle scrap metal, speakers, computer parts, office phones, cameras, small household appliances, and more. Visit our events webpage [ [link removed] ] to learn more about what materials we’re accepting.

Please note free scrap metal recycling is available year-round at Olympic View Transfer Station and private metal recycling yards. TVs will not be accepted at this event, please visit an E-Cycle Washington [ [link removed] ] location for free recycling.






Tackling litter with action

In 2024, our Clean Kitsap staff and community volunteers removed over 162 tons (324,000 pounds) of litter and debris from over 3,000 miles of county roadway. Keeping our roads, waters, and neighborhoods is a community effort! This earth month, join in the fight to tackle litter by:

*Volunteer with Adopt a Spot: *You can help to reduce litter and keep your community clean by volunteering with our Adopt a Spot litter program. Volunteers receive free safety and litter cleanup supplies. Become an Adopt a Spot volunteer today! [ [link removed] ]

*Secure Your Load for Safer Roads: *Litter isn’t just ugly, it’s dangerous. Unsecured vehicle loads cause more than 300 traffic crashes annually in Washington and up to 40% of roadside litter. Let’s change that. Learn how to Secure Your Load for Safer Roads. [ [link removed] ]

*Install a community pet waste station: *Have a problem with pet waste in your neighborhood? The Kitsap County Stormwater Division can help. By putting up a Mutt Mitt station [ [link removed] ] and providing bags, you help make it easier for owners to pick up after their dog.

*Keep a litter bag in your car: *A litter bag is a handy place to keep waste in your car until you can toss it into a garbage can or recycling cart! It keeps your ride tidier, keeps the state litter free, and sets a food example for others. We have a limited quantity, so pledge to help keep Kitsap litter free [ [link removed] ] and get your car litter bag today!

 

Get a free litter bag at Hansville, Silverdale or Olalla Recycling and Garbage Facility (while supplies last) [ [link removed] ]




Contact information

Kitsap County Public Works, Solid Waste Division, 360.337.5777 or [email protected]
Kimberly Pleger, Public Works Communications Manager, 360.337.5777 or [email protected]







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