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Public Works Environmental Services
Updates from the Solid Waste & Recycling and Surface Water Division
Time To Get Those Art Juices Flowing!
If you're looking for something to keep you occupied over the coming weeks, consider submitting a design for the Storm Drain ArtWalk contest. Four selected artists will receive $1000 each to paint a small scale mural around a storm drain in Federal Way. Deadline to apply is May 31, 2020. All painting supplies will be provided. Visit our website for eligibility and instructions on how to apply.
Are you one of the many people turning to gardening to help you through this stressful time? Research has shown that gardening and spending time in nature can be good for our mental health , plus it could save you some trips to the grocery store later in the season.

If you're just starting out and looking for resources, check out the Garden Hotline. This free service brings the experts to your fingertips, with individualized solutions for all of your gardening questions.
Earth Day Resources For Exploring The Outdoors With Kids (from inside)
Earth Day is coming up on April 22nd.This is typically a day that people celebrate with volunteering or spending time outside. That may be difficult to do right now, but there are still lots of ways to connect with nature right from the comfort of your own home.


  • Seek by iNaturalist is a kid-friendly and privacy focused app designed to help you and your family discover the natural world all around you.

  • Choose a fish avatar and attempt to Survive the Sound. This interactive online game uses real data from Long Live the King's research to track Steelhead as they migrate through Puget Sound. Pick your favorite fish, join a team, and compete to see who has the most surviving salmon by the end of the migration.
Spring Recycling Newsletter Has Been Mailed
Single-family homes: watch your mailbox for the Spring Recycling Review Newsletter. This newsletter contains information on shredding events , highlights of the new contracting starting on September 1, garbage rates , alternative disposal options due to the cancellation of the recycling event , hazardous waste disposal info, and curbside cart placement tips.

Please note that some of the events have been canceled or rescheduled, and some businesses stopped accepting items for recycling, so please call ahead.
Help Keep Federal Way Beautiful
April is Keep America Beautiful Month. Help keep Federal Way beautiful by picking up litter in your neighborhood. This is a great outdoor activity for a family to do together while maintaining social distancing from others. Please be safe by wearing gloves and/or using a litter picker. If needed, the City offers free supplies like litter bags, safety vests, gloves, litter pickers and more. Email [email protected] to order supplies for contactless delivery.
Spring Cleaning? Hold on to Your Paint
Don't dry out and toss your latex paint during your spring cleaning. Washington State has a new paint recycling program called PaintCare that will go into affect in November. Local locations to recycle your paint for free will be announce d soon.

Oil-based paint and stains can still be dropped off at the Hazardous Wastemobile at no charge. Other accepted items include oil, gas, batteries, cleaners, chemicals, fluorescent bulbs, and more. This is a contactless drop-off, so you will not even need to get out of your car. Simply place all your materials in a box in the truck/back of your car, drive to the loading dock are by Nordstrom Rack and and the workers will take it from there.

A uburn Wastemobile
1101 Outlet Collection Way, Auburn
Saturday & Sunday, 10 AM - 5 PM
Global Premiere of The Story of Plastic
The makers of The Story of Stuff are releasing their new documentary, The Story of Plastic , on the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day. Watch the film on the Discovery Channel April 22 at 2 PM to learn more about plastic pollution and what you can do about it.

If you missed the global premier, you can watch a virtual screening with local panel on April 27th , sponsored by Zero Waste Washington , Sustainable Ballard and the Meaningful Movies Project . 
In areas across the U.S., non-essential businesses have been ordered to close. With the proper health and safety measures in place, recycling collection and processing are essential businesses that continue in many U.S. communities.
And, we want to say #ThankYouRecyclingHeroes!
So take a moment to share a post on social media, post a thank you poster near your curbside container, and encourage others to express their gratitude to our community's recycling heroes.

  • Share a "thank you" coloring page
  • Post a "thank you" on social media