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Closing the loop this holiday season

Happy holidays, Kitsap County! Welcome to the holiday edition of Recycling and Garbage News. In this newsletter, we share facility updates, holiday hours, and our holiday recycling guide. We also share how you can support a circular economy this season.

Supporting a circular economy

If gift-giving is part of your holiday season, you have more power than you might think to support a circular economy. How we shop signals to businesses what matters to us, including the materials used in their packaging. Our choices can encourage companies to change how products are packaged, which can strengthen recycling systems and reduce waste.

What does closing the loop mean?

Brands across the globe are increasingly adding post-consumer recycled content, or PCR, into their packaging – either voluntarily or because they're required to by law. For example, Washington state law requires certain products to include PCR. Products made with PCR contain recyclables collected from consumers, like plastic bottles and cardboard. After you place recyclables in your curbside cart, they are sorted by type, processed into a raw material, and then used by manufacturers to make new products. Then, those items return to store shelves!

A comparison of a linear economy, recycling economy, and circular economy. Through our actions, we can help build a circular economy by repairing, reusing, and recycling our items.

We can help ensure companies continue using PCR by creating a demand for it. We can also make other shopping choices to help materials stay in use longer. Here are a few ways to help close the loop this holiday season:

• Shop repaired or pre-used. In addition to thrift stores, many brands offer pre-owned or refurbished clothing, gear, books, and electronics. Try searching your favorite brand’s website for a pre-owned or refurbished section.
• Shop local. Kitsap is home to many local businesses that offer unique gifts like soaps, books, art, jewelry, and more. Check out Kitsap's Shop Local Gift Guide* for gift ideas. Shopping local reduces packaging waste and supports our local economy. And don’t forget to bring your own bag!
• Choose packaging that can be recycled. Packaging like paper bags and cardboard boxes are recyclable. Other packaging like film plastics and plastic bags aren't recyclable in your curbside recycle cart. Opt for products that are in recyclable packaging. Learn what packaging can be recycled on our Recycle Right in Kitsap webpage. 
• Look for PCR content. Beauty, cleaning, and self-care products often contain PCR. Check labels for phrases such as “Made with 90% recycled plastic” or “Made with 30% PCR.”

Examples of what to look for when shopping for products that contain PCR. All these products have different labels that convey their packaging is made with PCR.

Tree-Cycle your holiday tree

Once the festivities are over, recycle your tree at a Tree-Cycle location! Many sites are free, and some act as fundraisers for youth activities. We'll continue to update the Tree-Cycle list throughout January. If you subscribe to curbside food and yard waste service, cut your unflocked tree until it fits into your cart. All trees must be free of decorations, including tinsel, lights, and ornaments. No flocked trees or fake trees.

Holiday recycling guide

Wrapping paper, tissue paper, and bows are common during the holidays—but not all of them belong in the recycling cart.

Learn what you can recycle with our Holiday Recycle Guide.

Winter weather conditions

Weather and other conditions may affect waste facility hours and operations. During a storm, call 360.674.7065 to check for facility closures or delays. If a closure occurs suddenly, staff or signage will inform customers upon arrival. 

We also update the Kitsap County inclement weather and emergency webpage as soon as possible.

Bring us your batteries!

New toys, gadgets, and decorations often mean extra batteries. Drop off all batteries for free at designated battery-collection sites. Never put batteries in the trash or recycling!

Broken string lights?

Recycle your broken string lights at scrap metal drop-off sites only. When string lights are incorrectly placed in your curbside recycling cart, they become tangled around recycling equipment causing machinery breakdowns.

Facility news

Facility holiday hours and closures

Kitsap County garbage, recycling, and household hazardous waste collection facilities will close on the following days during the winter holidays:

Olympic View Transfer Station

• December 24, 2025: Closes at 3 p.m.
• December 25, 2025: Closed
• January 1, 2026: Closed

Recycling and Garbage Facilities in Silverdale, Hansville, and Olalla

• December 24, 2025: Closes at 2 p.m.
• December 25, 2025: Closed
• January 1, 2025: Closed

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility

• December 24, 2025 - January 1, 2026: Closed

Rate increases effective January 1, 2026

On January 1, fees at county solid waste facilities will increase for some materials. View 2026 fees for the Olympic View Transfer Station and the Recycling and Garbage Facilities.

These increases were approved by County Commissioners in 2022 as part of a five-year plan to incrementally raise solid waste fees between 2022-2026.

In 2026, Kitsap County will conduct a rate-of-service study to determine new disposal fees for the years 2027-2031. We'll invite the community to participate in this rate-setting process. Stay tuned for more information in the new year.

*Information and links provided do not constitute an endorsement of any kind from Kitsap County nor does Kitsap County verify information provided by or in third-party links. Kitsap County makes no representation or warranty concerning the content, accuracy, currency, completeness or quality of the information. 

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]