Public Works Environmental Services
Updates from the Solid Waste & Recycling and Surface Water Divisions
It's Salmon SEEson!
Fall is an exciting time of year in our region because it's when salmon return to streams and rivers around Puget Sound to begin spawning.

There are lots of great viewing locations around the Sound where you can see the action up close, and learn about the incredible journey salmon make when they return to their birth streams to begin the lifecycle over again.

Click here for a list of viewing locations in King County.
Autumn Leaves are Garden Gold
Thank you for keeping the storm drains in front of your house clear of leaves. But before you rake them all up and dispose of them, take a moment to consider what a valuable resource you're about to get rid of. Fall leaves aren't just beautiful to look at, they're also hard-working garden helpers.

As they decompose they can help restore important nutrients to your lawn and gardens, and also provide much needed winter food for birds passing through.

Check out this blog post from Puget Sound Starts Here to learn more about how to make those leaves work for you.

Please also remember that is illegal to dump yard waste on roadsides, in parks, or in creeks or streams. Click here for options for proper yard waste disposal.
Free Shredding Events for Confidential Documents
Free shredding events continue to be offered monthly around City of Federal Way. These events offer residents the ability to dispose of confidential documents in a secure and environmentally-friendly manner.

Shredding events are limited to two file boxes or three paper bags of documents per person. Confidential documents only; please recycle catalogs, magazines and junk mail in your curbside recycling cart. Shredding events are for paper only. Staples and paperclips are ok, but no binders, plastic bags, CDs, DVDs or credit cards. Shredding events are open to all households, but not commercial businesses. Documents are securely shredded on-site. 

To find out about more shredding events, visit the Attorney General‘s shredding event website at atg.wa.gov/shredathon.aspx .
What To Know For When it Snows
Temperatures are dropping and that means we've got some icy days ahead of us. To help keep residents safe, here are a few reminders and some important information for the next time it snows:

  • Residents and businesses are responsible for clearing the sidewalk immediately next to their property within 24 hours of a snowfall.

  • Dumping plowed snow onto city streets is prohibited.

  • City crews provide snow and ice control as needed. Leading up to a predicted ice event, crews may treat streets with anti-icing chemicals (salt brine), that prevent ice from sticking to the pavement.

  • The de-icing map shows the primary routes that will be treated as weather conditions and resources allow. The snow plow map shows primary and secondary snow plow routes during snow and ice storms.

  • To report hazardous road conditions, call the Public Works Department at 253-835-2700, Monday through Friday, 8 AM - 5 PM, or after hours at 800-400-0749 on evenings, weekends, and holidays.

  • Unsure if your garbage will be collected during inclement weather? Check Waste Management's Service Updates for information and tips for dealing with excess material.
Lower Your Usage, Lower Your Bill
Lighting and heating make up a large portion of your home’s energy use. Switching to ENERGY STAR® LED bulbs and installing a Nest Smart Thermostat
will help you manage and reduce your energy costs. Stop by the one-day sale to pick up a $85 Home Efficient Kit for only $10 (plus tax) or some of the other great items which can lower your power bill!

Take your energy savings further by attending a free class where you will learn no-cost/low-cost energy conservation ideas and how to utilize current rebates. Get winter preparedness tips, understand your bill and ask PSE representatives questions too.

Wednesday, December 11
South King Tool Library
1700 S 340th St, Federal Way
Store Produce Properly and Other Tips for Reducing Food Waste During the Holidays
Food and holidays go hand-in-hand, but so does food waste. Americans waste about 25% of all the food we buy! Read Food Network's tips for reducing food waste during the holidays or King County's Food: Too Good to Waste website for useful tips on reducing the amount of food going to the landfill.

Remember that in Federal Way, you can place ALL foods scraps in your curbside yard waste cart, including the turkey carcass and plate scrapings. Feel free to utilize newspaper or paper bags to keep your cart clean, but never use plastic bags! Refer to the Waste Management Food & Yard Waste Guide for a list of acceptable items in your curbside cart.
Native Plants at Bargain Basement Prices
It may be cold and rainy outside, but it's not too early to start planning for your spring garden. Now is the time of year to order native plants, which you can purchase online through both the   King Conservation District Native Bareroot Plant Sale and the Pierce Conservation District Annual Native Plant Sale.

Plants that are native to the Pacific Northwest need less fertilizer, less watering, and are more resistant to harmful pests and diseases. Native plants make beautiful additions to your garden and can help attract wildlife, control erosion, and reduce your watering needs in the dry summer months.