| Recycling Update is produced by Washington County Health & Human Services' Solid Waste & Recycling Program. For more information: www.WashingtonCountyRecycles.com [email protected] 503-846-3605 155 N First Ave, Ste 160 Hillsboro, 97124 |
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This publication is produced in cooperation with the cities of Banks, Cornelius, Durham, Forest Grove, Hillsboro, King City, North Plains, Sherwood, Tigard and Tualatin.
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Eat smart and waste less this
holiday season
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The average American family wastes a quarter of all the food they purchase. Getting the most out of your holiday meal budget and preventing wasted food by doing just a little planning. The
Eat Smart, Waste Less Challenge
offers simple steps and tools to help.
SMART shopping
Shop smart by making your meal plan before shopping. Consider how many people you are feeding so you don't buy more food than you can use. Wondering how big a turkey you need? Visit www.TheKitchn.com for a great guide. It's also important to make a shopping list from your meal plan and try to stick to it. Research has shown that shoppers can spend up to 40 percent more on impulse purchases when shopping without a list.
SMART storage
Storing the food you purchase in the right place will also help cut down on holiday food waste. Did you know that carrots and celery will stay fresher longer if you put them in some water? And your salad greens will be crisper if they are stored in an airtight container with a damp towel. It is also good practice to only wash your cranberries right before you use them to reduce mold. Check out the A-Z Food Storage Guide for more tips, including how to use the humidity settings on your refrigerator's crisper drawer.
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Find creative alternatives
for gifts
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Americans throw away 25 percent more garbage during the holiday season. Here are some simple ways to reduce holiday waste:
- Give experiences such as gift certificates to a movie or a restaurant.
- Wrap gifts in a reusable container, bag or dish cloth.
- Find gently used gifts at an antique store or thrift shop.
- Offer to babysit, provide a homemade meal, or walk the dog or other service.
- Look for items that have reduced packaging.
- And more creative ideas.
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Give the gift that gives back to
the garden
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Compost bins are a great gift for gardeners because they can turn vegetable scraps and yard debris into a natural, garden-boosting soil amendment. Metro offers two different styles of compost bins starting at $45 per bin. Call
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Call your hauler for garbage and
recycling questions
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In Washington County, garbage and recycling are collected by private companies. Each hauler has a specific service area. If you have questions about your service, schedule or bill, contact your hauler. Don't know who your garbage and recycling hauler is? Use Metro's "Who's My Hauler" tool at www.OregonMetro.gov/Hauler or call Washington County at 503-846-3605
for help.
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Recycle and dispose of
other items
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Medical syringes, lancets and needles (sharps)
Dispose of used sharps in an approved container at a household hazardous waste facility, collection event or by joining a pharmacy exchange program. For more information, visit www.WashingtonCountyRecycles.com.
Electronics
Recycle computers, monitors,
laptops, TVs, keyboards, mice and printers for free through the Oregon E-Cycles program. Learn more at
www.OregonEcycles.com
or by
calling 888-5-ECYCLE.
Unwanted medications
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1525 B St, Forest Grove, 97116
503-992-1212
No hazardous waste.
3205 SE Minter Bridge Rd, Hillsboro, 97123 | 503-640-9427
No household garbage, kitchen waste or hazardous waste.
6161 NW 61st St, Portland, 97210
2001 Washington St, Oregon City, 97045 | 503-234-3000
Please call ahead for rates
and hours.
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Get your collection calendar online
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Washington County residents will have access to new online and mobile tools for keeping track of garbage and recycling collection schedules. Starting early 2016, you will be
able to:
- Look up your garbage and recycling collection schedule.
- Print a customized calendar.
- Sign up for reminders by email or text.
- Get notified of winter weather and holiday service interruptions.
- Find nearby drop-off recycling centers for items that aren't recyclable in your roll cart.
Sign up to get an email notification when the new online and mobile tools are ready.
You can also get a printed calendar with your specific route from your hauler, or download and print a
fill-in-the-blank version
at home
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New ordinance prohibits yard debris burning for some residents
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Washington County's
Air Quality and Wood Smoke Ordinance
takes effect on November 6. It is designed to raise awareness of wood smoke as a health issue and prevent unnecessary burning of wood and yard debris. As part of the new rule, residents in unincorporated Washington County and within the Metro Service District Boundary are prohibited from burning yard debris at all times. These residents
can sign up for collection service
including yard debris or take materials to a
drop-off recycling center
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The ordinance may also affect the recreational use of fireplaces and wood stoves in unincorporated Washington County between November 1 and March 1, depending on air quality conditions. More information is available on Washington County's
air quality website
or by calling 503-846-8722.
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Much of our holiday waste can be recycled. Toss cardboard boxes, paper greeting cards and paper wrapping in your mixed recycling roll cart.
If you have yard debris collection service, include cut trees and greenery in your yard debris roll cart. Cut your tree into three-foot or shorter pieces so it fits in the roll cart and falls freely when collected. Excess yard debris may be set next to the cart for an additional fee. Contact your hauler for
more information.
Other items can be recycled at drop-off recycling centers. Use Metro's Find-a-Recycler or call
503-234-3000 to find a location near you to recycle the following:
- Alkaline or rechargeable batteries
- Electronics
- Holiday string lights
- Clear plastic clamshell packaging
- Styrofoam shipping blocks
- Thin plastic film bags and wrapping
- Trees and greenery
- And more
Metallic or plastic-coated wrapping paper, bows and ribbons, tinsel and broken decorations are not recyclable. These non-paper products can be saved for reuse
next year, otherwise
need to go into the garbage.
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Winter weather and holiday
collection schedules
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Winter weather cancellations:
 When there are hazardous driving conditions, such as when winter weather closes schools, your garbage, recycling and yard debris collection service may be canceled. If your materials weren't picked up on the regular collection day, they will be picked up the next day. If conditions remain hazardous and schools are closed for more than one day, the extra materials will be picked up on your next scheduled collection week with no extra charges. If cancellations are extended, updates will be posted at
www.WashingtonCountyRecycles.com
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Holiday collection:
If your collection day falls on Christmas or New Year's Day this year, your hauler will shift your collection service to Saturday -- though Aloha Garbage Company will pick up on New Year's Day. If you have questions, call your hauler or visit
your
hauler's website
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What health issues are important to you?
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Washington County wants to hear from you. Your experience matters. Take the Healthy Columbia Willamette Collaborative
survey and tell us about important health issues in your community. Your responses will help inform health improvement projects throughout the region. Learn more at
www.HealthyColumbiaWillamette.org.
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