Halloween treats and decorations can haunt the planet long after the celebrations are over, whether from plastic waste or unsustainable ingredients. Here are a few tricks to make your spooky season fun more supportive of a livable planet.

Sweet swaps for trick-or-treaters: 

• Paper-wrapped goodies over plastic 
• Natural fruit leathers over candy bars

Crafty treats and party favors:

• Paper stickers over plastic 
• Spooky seed packets of local pollinator plants 
• Friendship bracelets with thrifted or recycled-content beads 
• Upcycled bottle caps into frightening fridge magnets 

Clothing Swap & Mending Event

Saturday, November 1

12–3 p.m.

Parkland Community Center

Join us for a community-driven textile event!

Bring your clean, gently used fall and winter clothing to swap. You'll also be able to repair your favorite pieces at our mending station and donate old textiles to support local animal shelters.

Whether you're looking to refresh your wardrobe, extend the life of your clothes, or help furry friends stay cozy, there's something for everyone!

Greening Pierce County

Trick-Or-Tree Giveaway

Saturday, October 11, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

at the Sprinker Recreation Center Parking Lot

Pick up a free tree and learn about planting and care. Choose from varieties like Douglas Fir, Grand Fir, Sitka Spruce, Pacific Ninebarks, and Eastern Redbud. These seedlings are potted and ready for your yard!

Tree Coupon Program

Request your tree coupon starting October 1! All Pierce County residents are eligible for $30 off up to 3 qualifying trees from participating nurseries. Funding is provided by Tacoma Power, City of Tacoma, and Pierce County Surface Water Management. Learn more and request your coupon now.

Pierce Conservation District Urban Tree Sale

This is your twice-yearly chance to grab 5- and 7-gallon, 6-foot trees for a discounted price of only $10–$30! Order trees now and pick up in Puyallup on November 15.

Pierce Conservation District's Green Stormwater Mini Grants

Applications open through November 15. Individuals, businesses, and community groups can get up to $4,000 for eco-friendly landscaping projects that reduce polluted stormwater runoff and improve local water quality. Now available in new areas, including Frederickson, Elk Plain, and parts of Graham. Schedule a free site visit with PCD staff to refine your project ideas.

Here comes the rain! Pierce County’s Stormwater Management team has some tips to keep your home, property, pets, and family safe.

KNOW YOUR RESOURCES

‌‌Create an emergency plan: Assemble an emergency kit for your home and car. Visit PierceCountyWa.Gov/BuildAKit for tips.

Report flooding issues: Call (253) 798-6000 or visit PierceCountyWa.Gov/Works.

‌ 

‌Know your flood risk: Unincorporated Pierce County residents can request a free map showing flood risk on your property or call (253) 798-2725. 

Sign up for Pierce County ALERT to receive notifications about flood warnings in your area. Visit PierceCountyWa.gov/ALERT or call (253) 798-6595 to sign up.

  Minimize flood damage 

• Keep storm drains free of leaves and other debris. 
• Store or move valuables, electronics, and furniture above possible flood levels. 
• ‌Look around your property and evaluate short-term flood protection measures, such as sandbags, where appropriate. Keep these materials on hand. 
• Keep hazardous chemicals out of floodwaters. 
• ‌Consider long-term flood protections, like elevating your house. 
• Review FEMA’s ‘Homeowner’s Guide to Retrofitting’ (FEMA publication 312), or call FEMA at 1-800-480-2520 to request a copy. 

‌Buy flood insurance now to help make repairs or build up to code after a flood.

It takes 30 days for a policy to take effect. A standard property insurance policy doesn’t cover flood damages.

Unincorporated Pierce County residents receive up to a 40% discount on flood insurance rates. Contact your insurance agent or visit floodsmart.gov/policy-quote to get a free quote. 

Tricky question! Even though items may be labeled “recyclable” on a national level, recycling systems are very localized. Currently, packaging can be labeled as “recyclable” even if it's not widely accepted in local home curbside recycling carts. Items accepted for recycling vary greatly across the country because access to markets for various materials differ by location. 

Home delivery meal kit packaging includes various materials that may or may not be recyclable in Pierce County curbside bins. Let’s take a closer look.

First: Is the item paper or plastic? If it’s paper—as long as it’s clean and has not touched food—it most likely can go in your curbside recycling. If it’s plastic, look at the shape. In Pierce County, we recycle plastics based on shape: Bottle, jug, tub, or bucket shapes can be sorted correctly at the recycling facility. Plastic bags, plastic wrap, and flat plastic liners are not recyclable in our curbside County program. View a detailed curbside recycling list.

Still unsure? Take a picture and send it to us at PCRecycle@piercecountywa.gov and we’ll research it for you! 



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!

As days get shorter and rain starts to fall, it's a great time to refresh your safe commuting skills. Let's keep each other safe by following the rules of the road, using high-visibility equipment, and being aware of other travelers. 

WALKERS



Look both directions before crossing the street: left, right, then left again. 

Wait for the pedestrian walk signal at crosswalks.

See and be seen: Carry or wear light-color, neon, or reflective items. Carry a flashlight and/or visibility lights. 

BICYCLISTS



Be cautious of road conditions. You'll have less traction in wet conditions. 

Wear a helmet and weather-wise clothes and shoes. 

See and be seen: Use a white front light and red taillight or red rear reflector (required by law!). Wear light-color, neon, or reflective items. More safety tips.

DRIVERS



Clear windows and mirrors of leaves, frost, or dirt before driving. 

Turn on your headlights. 

Drive for the road conditions: Slow down when it’s rainy, icy, or dark. Put the phone down, take your time, and keep calm. Is the rush really worth your safety?

ALL TRAVELERS: Give yourself extra time to get where you’re going in the safest way!

Learn with Pierce County this Fall

Explore new topics with us this October! The Earth Matters Series continues this fall with three unique class series. Visit PierceCountyWa.gov/EarthMattersSeries to learn more and register.

Forest to Yard: Planting and Protecting Trees

Oct. 4, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

Orangegate Park in Tacoma (Summit-Waller)

Forest to Yard: Planting and Protecting Trees

Oct. 11, 10 a.m.–12 p.m

Sprinker Recreation Center in Parkland

The Switch Is On! Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

Oct. 2, 6:30–7:30 p.m.

on Zoom

The Dollars and Sense of Solar in Western Washington

Oct. 8, 6:30–7:30 p.m.

Hybrid: Wheelock Library in Tacoma and on Zoom

DIY Weatherization 101

Oct.16, 6:30–7:30 p.m.

on Zoom

Getting Real with Your Clothes

Oct. 15, 6–7:30 p.m.

Hybrid: Parkland Community Center and on Zoom

Unraveling Fast Fashion: Human and Environmental Toll

Oct. 22, 6–7:30 p.m.

Hybrid: Parkland Community Center and on Zoom
(Involves hands-on activity. In-person attendance encouraged.)

Threads of Change

Oct. 29, 6–7:30 p.m.

Hybrid: Parkland Community Center and on Zoom

Clothing Swap and Mending Event

Nov. 1, 12 p.m.–3 p.m.

Parkland Community Center Gym

Edible Gardens Workshops

Read with us:

• Remember That One Halloween Costume? It’s Still Haunting the Planet, Atmos  
• Washington moves to restrict cancer-causing chemicals in cosmetics, WA Department of Ecology 
• Your Guide to Meaningful Climate Action, Project Drawdown  

Listen with us:

• Degrowth: The Path from Consumerism to Survival, the Climate Hour podcast

Watch with us:

• The risks and alternatives to outdoor fake spider web displays

Do with us:

• Paper shredding events: 
• Parkland/Spanaway: Oct. 4, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. 
• Sumner: Oct. 18, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. 
• South Hill: Oct. 25, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. 
• Salmon Homecoming Celebration: Oct. 4, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. at Puyallup National Historic Fish Hatchery
• Darning (for Teens!): Oct. 17, 3–4:30 p.m. at the Parkland/Spanaway library
• Community Farm Day: Oct. 11, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. at the Franklin Pierce Farm  
• All About Bats: Oct. 14, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. at Cross Park
• Pumpkin Painting: Oct. 28, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. at Meridian Habitat Park  
• Free Home Maintenance Workshops: First Saturdays, 3p.m. at Tacoma Public Library Moore Branch: 
• Oct. 4: Electrical Basics 
• Nov. 1: Flooring Basics

Civic engagement opportunities:

• Puget Sound Region Draft Comprehensive Climate Action Plan Kickoff: Oct. 6 at 11 a.m.
• Pierce County Sea Level Rise Survey
• Pierce County Shoreline Access Survey
• Pierce County Agritourism Survey