July 2025

Pierce County's Resilience & Climate Action Plan Now Open for Public Comment!

Cover of Sustainability 2030 Pierce County's Climate & Resilience Action Plan 2025 Update

The 2025 update to the Sustainability 2030 Plan incorporates community feedback to feature a stronger focus on improving climate resilience, strengthening the green economy, and supporting community leadership in climate action.



Please visit this link to read the draft Plan and provide online public comment by July 13, or visit one of our public comment office hours offerings:

  • Thursday, July 3 from 2-6 p.m. at the Tillicum library
  • Tuesday, July 8 from 2-6 p.m. at the Fife library
  • Saturday, July 12 from 10-11:30 a.m. on Zoom with this link
Sustainable Pierce Header with trees

New Recycling System for Washington

Washington State recently passed the Recycling Reform Act (RRA) a major step toward improving recycling statewide over the next few years.


This new law introduces Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging and paper products. That means companies that make these items will help cover the cost of recycling them. EPR has already proven successful in Washington for products like paint and electronics, encouraging manufacturers to reduce packaging and make it easier to recycle.


By 2030, Washington will have one standardized recycling list statewide so whether you’re in Tacoma or Spokane, you’ll be able to recycle the same materials, either at the curb or at a drop-off site. Packaging producers will pay fees to support consistent recycling services across the state and to ensure collected materials can actually be turned into new products.


The RRA will also:

  • Expand recycling access to nearly 500,000 more homes in Washington
  • Help increase amount of recyclables collected
  • Reduce household recycling bills
  • Lower greenhouse gas emissions


Together, these changes will create a more effective, equitable, and sustainable recycling system for all Washingtonians.

Enhancing Sustainability Within Our Fleet

picture of an EV truck plugged in

The Planning and Public Works Department’s Equipment Services team is taking action to enhance sustainability within our vehicle and equipment fleet!


  • We’re now using Renewable-99 diesel fuel (R99) at three maintenance facilities from March 1 to Nov. 1. This sustainable alternative burns cleaner than regular diesel or even biodiesel and can significantly reduce our carbon footprint.
  • As vehicles and equipment are up for replacement, we’re transitioning to electric options whenever feasible in accordance with Pierce County’s Electric First Policy and the County’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 45% from a 2015 baseline by 2030.
  • We are planning for our future electric vehicle and charging station needs to make sure we have infrastructure in place as replacements occur.
  • Thanks to a $135,000 grant from the Washington Electric Vehicle Charging Program funded by Washington’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA), we added nine electric vehicle charging stations for fleet and employee vehicles at three facilities this year. The CCA supports Washington’s climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health. Information about the CCA is available at www.Climate.Wa.Gov.   
Recycle Right with Recycle graphic

Canning is a great way to preserve summer’s bounty! Use this visual guide of canning supplies to properly dispose of the items left over:

Drop Off: - Glass jars (broken); Rusted metal rings; Plastic box wrap
RECYCLE - Box for jars; Paper sugar bag; Canning salt box; Lid box
GARBAGE - Berry containers; Jar lids

Do you have a recycling question? Send it to us at PCRECYCLE@PierceCountyWa.gov. We’ll send you a direct response and your question may appear in a future newsletter!

Ride Together Pierce header with Ride Together Pierce logo and rainbow in the corner

How to Load Your Bike on a Bus

Man in safety vest helping a person load a bike on the front of a bus.

Buses around Pierce County make it easy for you to take your bike along with you! All Pierce Transit and Sound Transit buses have front bike racks. Here are the quick steps to loading your bike on a bus:


  1. Let the bus driver know you want to load your bike.
  2. Pull the rack handle and bring the rack down.
  3. Lift your bike and place onto rack.
  4. Secure your bike by pulling the arm lever over your front tire.
  5. Hop on the bus! Don't leave loose items on the bike such as a bag, lock or helmet.
  6. At your stop, let the driver know you'll be removing your bike.


Learn more about bringing your bike on buses, Link Light Rail or the Sounder train.

Rideshare & Get Rewarded with Pierce Transit

White SUV with Pierce Transit logo on the side

Whether you're a seasoned vanpooler or just looking to try a new way to commute, Pierce Transit Rideshare has exciting updates and incentives to make ridesharing easier and more rewarding.


  • June–November: Rideshare drivers with a clean driving record will be entered to win a $250 Costco gift card.
  • July–September: First month free for new riders who haven’t vanpooled in the past year!


Daily Rideshare Reservations Now Available

Pierce Transit Rideshare is launching a new feature in which will allow folks to make daily rideshare (vanpool) reservations for their commutes. Daily rides range from $7.50-$10 one way. Just search for a rideshare and book it for a single ride!

Graphics of commute options: bus, train, bike, walk, work from home, carpool, vanpool

Explore With Us This Summer!

Continue to learn with us in our Summer in the Wild series!

Register at PierceCountyWa.gov/EarthMattersSeries.

Summer in the Wild
July 12

Restoration Eco Adventure (Peck Work Party)

9 a.m. - 12 p.m. July 12

Peck property in Puyallup

Banner: read, watch. listen, do with calendar icon
Family posing in front of a wall with the YESS film festival logos on it.

Watch with us:

Youth Engaged in Sustainable Solutions (YESS) Youth Film Festival Winners

The 2025 YESS Youth Film Festival: Climate Solutions was held June 1 at The Grand Cinema in Tacoma. High school and higher education student filmmakers from across Pierce County were invited to submit films that told stories of local climate solutions. Through their creative storytelling lens, we had entries span from documentaries to contemplative dramas.  


Check out the link below to watch their short films and celebrate their stories!

2025 YESS Youth Film Festival: Climate Solutions


Read with us:


Listen with us:

  • Podcast: Howl. Learn about wolf reintroduction in the PNW after a decades-long extermination campaign. Oregon Capital Chronicle


Do with us:

  • ‌Visit our Solid Waste staff at the Lakewood Farmers Market to get your recycling and food/yard waste collection questions answered! July 1st, 2-7 p.m. at Fort Steilacoom Park.
  • Apply to be part of the Tacoma Pierce County Climate Leadership Cohort! This multi-day training gathers frontline community members, City and County staff, elected officials, and local organizations to work towards a collective climate future. Learn more and apply here. Applications are due by Friday, August 1st. 
  • See what the Pierce County Master Gardeners are presenting in your neighborhood in July.
  • Celebrate PNW Climate Week with events happening from July 16-25. PNW Climate Week is a community-powered event series that showcases the region as a hub for climate action.
  • South Tacoma Climate Walk hosted by the Tacoma Tree Foundation: July 19 from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
  • Quiz for the Climate Trivia Night hosted by the Office of Resilience and Climate Action and the Chayah Movement: July 24 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Farrelli’s Pizza Parkland
  • More events at this link! 
  • Tacoma Earth Gay: July 26 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Swan Creek Park

We welcome your feedback on this newsletter! Share your thoughts via email HERE.