Celebrate a Season of Sustainable Joy | | |
Pierce County Solid Waste and the City of Tacoma created this guide to support schools as they move away from disposing of food waste in the garbage in order to comply with new Washington State organics management laws.
What is food waste? Uneaten, unserved, or discarded food, including inedible parts like peels, stems, pits, and bones.
According to these new laws, many businesses in Washington—including public and nonprofit entities like schools, churches, and hospitals—need to start diverting organic materials, including food waste, away from landfills through prevention, food rescue, and composting facilities.
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One of the simplest ways to rescue edible food is by setting up a share table or box. | | | End-of-Year Highlights from Our Annual Report | | What a year for sustainability successes! We're celebrating abundant accomplishments for the Office of Resilience and Climate Action (ORCA) and our Sustainability 2030 Plan actions. Here are some highlights by the numbers: | | | 4,520 attendees at community education classes and events | 59 energy-efficient heat pumps installed in low-income homes | 7,000+ total acres conserved through Conservation Futures grants | 45 partner organizations involved in Sustainability 2030 Plan Update | | |
Holiday Recycling Questions? We've Got Answers.
Did you know that Americans generate roughly 25% more waste in December than during any other month? It’s even more important to reduce and reuse first, then recycle right! Make sure you're putting the right things in your recycling bin by using the County’s Winter Holiday Reminders.
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(Do not put these in your recycling bin.)
- Plastic mailers
- Fancy gift wrap (anything with foil or glitter)
- Cellophane
- Tissue paper
- Hard plastic packaging
- Plastic trays and lids
- Foam packaging
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(These items go into your recycling bin!)
- Paper mailers
- Plain gift wrap*
- Plain gift boxes (broken down)
- Catalogs
- Plain cards and envelopes
- Cardboard (flatten boxes)
*City of Tacoma does not accept plain gift wrap
| | Remember: Paper plates, napkins, paper cups, plastic cups, aluminum foil, and pie plates and pans belong in the garbage in Pierce County! | |
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Upcycled Winter Craft Fun
Make an upcycled snowflake ornament! Get crafty while reducing waste with this fun-for-everyone project from our Solid Waste team. Great for kids (with supervision!), party favors, or just some solo craft time on those chilly winter nights.
Snowflake Craft Instructions (PDF)
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Drop them off for recycling! Check out this list of locations that accept holiday light strings for recycling.
The number one thing not to do is toss the old light string into your curbside recycling. Light strings, hoses, wires and chains get tangled in recycling collection and sorting equipment, causing massive problems.
| | Do you have a recycling question? Email us at PCRECYCLE@PierceCountyWa.gov. We’ll send you a direct response and your question may appear in a future newsletter! | |
Walk & Roll Through the Holidays
From DuPont to University Place, the holiday season offers many opportunities to walk, roll, scoot or bus. Check out Ride Together Pierce's “Walk and Roll Through the Holidays” guide to find an event near you, plus tips on how to arrive in sustainable fashion.
| | | Link Light Rail South King County extensions open Saturday, December 6 | | | |
Monthly $150 Prizes for Sustainable Commuters
Huge news: Starting January 2026, Ride Together Pierce is awarding one sustainable commuter with a $150 gift card every month! Register for a Ride Together Pierce account, log 10 sustainable trips (that’s 5 round trips!) in one month, and you'll be entered to win.
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| "Waste Less, Celebrate More" this winter | | |
Our Waste Less, Celebrate More: A Holiday Sustainability Series continues in December with festive and practical opportunities designed to help you celebrate the season without all the waste.
Join us to learn simple, joyful ways to reduce your environmental impact during the holidays. Visit the Earth Matters Class Series web page to register.
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Holiday Recycling Table at the Crafters' Holiday Market
Dec. 6, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Meridian Habitat Park in South Hill
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Fun & Waste-Free Festivities
Dec. 9, 6–7 p.m.
Virtual via Zoom
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Postcards for the Planet Crafting Party
Saturday, Dec. 6, 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.
Parkland/Spanaway Library (get directions)
Cut, paste, collage, and create upcycled postcards at a cozy postcard party. We’ll bring the supplies and snacks...you bring your creativity!
Write and decorate postcards to your elected officials, neighbors, friends, or family sharing your care for the planet. Plus, learn how to host your own postcard party!
Light refreshments provided (coffee, cocoa, and pastries). Questions? Email Nicole at Nicole.Avendano@PierceCountyWa.gov.
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Civic engagement opportunities:
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