Former 1970s Boy Scout. We learned about recycling. We would occasionally take trash bags and go on a hike to collect and bring back trash. Leave it cleaner than you found it was the way.
WA – Green-Friendly?
I have lived in four WA counties over the past 25 years. Kitsap, Jefferson, Island and Grays Harbor.
Each county has its own recycling protocols and locations for drop off. Ditto for household hazardous waste. I tried to learn the ways of each county. Island County was easy and convenient, same for Jefferson County. Kitsap may have improved by now. Imagine, about 20 years ago, an older couple who have lived on Bainbridge Island for decades. They are packing out to move and have a weird collection of old paint thinners, solvents, kerosene, chain saw gas, heating oil, etc. Where to take it? At the time, the county drop off for household hazardous waste was in the Port Orchard area, a 70 mile round trip.
Jefferson County
If you had household hazardous waste you could take it to the big shipyard across from McDonald’s in Port Townsend on scheduled days each month. The attendant would assist in dealing with whatever you had. Easy, satisfying.
Island County
Dump/recycling & household hazardous waste all located together in Coupeville. Attendants present at all times and ready to answer questions. Best recycle drop off I have used in WA.
Grays Harbor County
This county is very much rural. It may be quite a driving distance from wherever you are to other parts of the county. Let’s say you live in Ocean Shores and you want to make a dump run. You are headed to Montesano, a 66 mile round trip. Many of us can go quite a while without any need to visit the dump, so that’s good.
Household Hazardous Waste
What about household hazardous waste? The need would arise more often. Various small batteries, lightbulbs, a small amount of used paint thinner, the battery for a cordless drill, etc.
What about these? Empty? Not empty?
Image source/credit here.
To deal with household hazardous waste, you are headed to Montesano again.
Checking for local info-
City of Ocean Shores web page:
People will speak of the Annual Spring Clean-Up in Ocean Shores
“…no hazardous waste, no paint, no waste oil…”
Back to the propane cylinder above:
PROPERLY USE, TRANSPORT, STORE AND DISPOSE OF YOUR NON-REFILLABLE CYLINDERS
“Each year, tens of millions of non-refillable cylinders and hand torches are sold to tackle projects from plumbing and electrical work to craft making, upcycling, cooking and grilling. CylinderSafe is a resource for anyone looking for information on how to properly use, transport, store or dispose of non-refillable cylinders.”
The web page above will direct you based on what US county you are in. For my location, we are directed to Montesano, but I see no mention of gas cylinders on the county web page.
I sent an email about this on December 2nd.
Dec 3, 2024 reply:
“We accept all propane cylinders at our Hazardous Waste Facility.
We are located at:
29 Gavett Lane
Montesano, WA 98563”
Excellent info and I replied to say thank you.
Possibly of interest-
Another Earth Day At Penn Cove
Summer of 2023:
Photo at top of page: One I took a few years back.
A symbol of operating a camera in a public place.
Salmon Season – Whidbey Island – Driftwood Park
A few years back – we attended a farmers market in the greater Puget Sound area.
Unaltered image:
