RecycleWise.orgYour Washington County Resource

For Waste Prevention and Recycling

P r i n t e d o n 5 0 % p o s t - c o n s u m e r , r e c y c l e d c o n t e n t p a p e r u s i n g s o y - b a s e d i n k s .

A PUBLICATION OF THE COOPERATIVE RECYCLING PROGRAM OF WASHINGTON COUNTY AND THE CITIES OF BANKS, CORNELIUS, DURHAM, FOREST GROVE, HILLSBORO, KING CITY, NORTH PLAINS, SHERWOOD, TIGARD, AND TUALATIN.

GARBAGE & RECYCLINGCOLLECTION COMPANIES

Allied Waste Services of Clackamas(503) 682-0336

Allied Waste Services of Lake Oswego(503) 636-3011

Aloha Garbage Co., Inc.(503) 649-6727

Cornelius Disposal(503) 357-3510

Garbarino Disposal Service(503) 647-2335

Hillsboro Garbage Disposal, Inc.(503) 648-4219

Newberg Garbage Service(503) 538-1388

Pride Disposal Company(503) 625-6177

Swatco Sanitary Service(503) 324-0230

Valley Garbage & Recycling, Inc.(503) 643-7063

Valley West Refuse Disposal(503) 649-5252

Walker Garbage Service(503) 531-6330

Waste Management(503) 249-8078

West Slope Garbage Service(503) 292-8173

CITY OFFICESCity of Banks

(503) 324-5112 • cityofbanks.orgCity of Cornelius

(503) 357-9112 • ci.cornelius.or.usCity of Durham(503) 639-6851

City of Forest Grove(503) 992-3200 • forestgrove-or.gov

City of Hillsboro(503) 681-6219 • ci.hillsboro.or.us

City of King City(503) 639-4082 • ci.king-city.or.us

City of North Plains(503) 647-5555 • northplains.org

City of Sherwood(503) 625-5722 • ci.sherwood.or.us

City of Tigard(503) 639-4171 • ci.tigard.or.us

City of Tualatin(503) 691-3093 • ci.tualatin.or.us

COUNTY OFFICE Washington County

Solid Waste & Recycling(503) 846-8609 • www.recyclewise.org

Oregon Relay Service 711

METRO(503) 234-3000 • www.metro-region.org

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New Roll Carts Boost Recycling Rates!Nearly everywhere you look recycling roll carts are at the curb! Residents in Beaverton, Forest Grove,Hillsboro, King City, Tigard, Sherwood, and urban unincorporated Washington County are experiencing theadvantages of roll cart recycling:

• More room to collect plastic materials such as yogurt and margarine tubs, small buckets, and nursery pots.

• Cart lids keep materials dry and reduce neighborhood litter on collection day.

• Rolling the cart to the curb is easy and convenient.

The additional collection space will help County residents reach the goal to increase residential recycling ratesby 10 percent. These efforts help support the Metro regional goal to recycle 64 percent of our waste. In 2006the Metro region’s recycling rate was 58 percent.

WHAT MATERIALS CAN I PUT IN MY RECYCLING CONTAINER?It’s no longer necessary to sort materials by type forcollection. All recyclables can be mixed together in thesame container (except glass and motor oil). That’sright! No longer do you need to go to special lengths toprepare your household recycling like flattening cerealboxes or crushing cans and plastic bottles beforeplacing them in your container. In fact, processingfacilities prefer materials be intact because it makes itmuch easier for the machinery to effectively separateand direct them to their proper markets for reuse.

Regardless of how your recycling is collected—red binor roll cart—the list of materials now accepted at thecurb is the same (preparation instructions on Page 2):

• Cardboard

• Plastic bottles, tubs, jugs, pots and buckets

• Papers - newspapers, magazines, scrap/shredded paper in brown paper bag, milk cartons, paper beverage containers, aseptic containers (juice boxes, soy milk, broths/soups)

• Metal - scrap metal pieces, empty aerosol cans, aluminum foil, paint cans (<1" dry paint), food cans

WHAT ABOUT CARDBOARD THAT USED TO BE SET NEXT TO THE BINS? Red bin users should continue to flatten cardboard andset it next to or under the bins for collection. Those withrecycling roll carts can place cardboard inside theircontainer for collection without cutting it into 3’ x 3’

No Plastic Bags CurbsideThey Clog Up the System!Plastic bags, such as grocery and retail bags, protective newspaper bags, and sandwich sacks, cause bigproblems at recycling recovery facilities. Far West Fibers, a recycling facility that handles the majority ofWashington County’s material, has estimated that it receives over 200,000 plastic bags every day from thecurbside recycling program (equivalent to 3,000 lbs.). These bags clog up the equipment by wrapping aroundgears and wheels. Of the labor spent processing recyclables, nearly one-third goes toward pulling plasticbags out of the sorting equipment. This also contributes to other plastics being sent to the wrong marketswhere they end up as garbage. Don’t let your efforts “go to waste,” take plastic bags back to grocery stores orrecycling depots. To reduce the number of plastic bags at home, switch to durable, reusable bags for your tripsto the store.

pieces. Roll cart recycling is collected by trucksequipped with automated tipping arms. As aresult, drivers don’t need to jump out of thetruck at each stop to manually lift and emptycontainers. By keeping material ‘loose’ in yourrecycling containers recovery facility canoperate more efficiently.

WASHINGTON COUNTY RESIDENTSCARE ABOUT RECYCLINGOver 95 percent of the recyclables that are setout for collection get recycled, but there is roomfor improvement. In a recent survey of redrecycling bins, the most common contaminantidentified was plastic bags. To understand whyplastic bags should not be included in curbsiderecycling, please read the article below.

ROLL CART USERS:

Reuse red bins for glass

Plastic grocery sacks take between20 and 1,000 years to break down.Bringing your own bag to the marketis an easy way to reduce landfills. - Real Simple, April 2007

NOW ACCEPTED!• Rigid plastic tubs and buckets from

6 ounces up to 5 gallons in size

• Metal paint cans with less than 1" of dried paint! No lids.

On the SideThe Glass Stands AloneGlass breaks! Keep glass on the side!Place glass in a separate rigidcontainer at the curb forcollection. Recycling roll cartusers may reuse their red binto collect glass. If glass ismixed with other recyclablesand shatters, glass shards maycause harm to workers and wearout sorting equipment. Do your part!Keep glass on the side. It will then beproperly collected, separated, andmanufactured into new products.

Choose to Reuse!Next time you hear “Paper or plastic?” at thestore checkout, surprise them with your answer– “Neither.”

A reusable bag is one small step towardreducing the energy and resources spentproducing single-use bags. Only 5 percent ofthe 380 billion plastic shopping bags arerecycled each year. Whether it is through theproduction or the recycling process, paper andplastic bags require significant amounts ofenergy and natural resources.

Reusable bags are sold at local grocery stores for about $1 each. Start a

positive habit today!

2

During windy weather, secure materials at the curb. Place loose paper or junk mail in a paper bag and set in your recycling container.

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTEKeep household hazardous waste out of all garbage and recycling containers.

To dispose of hazardous waste and/orsharps, visit one of the regional facilitiesor a neighborhood event. For informationabout proper disposal instructions,locations, and events, please contactMetro’s Recycling Information Center at(503) 234-3000.

Products accepted:

• Paints and stains

• Pool and spa chemicals

• Pesticides and poisons

• Automotive products (oil, antifreeze)

• Thinners and solvents

• Household cleaners and disinfectants

• Batteries

• Art and hobby chemicals

• Aerosol spray products

• Sharps (medical syringes)

• Fire extinguishers

• Propane tanks

• Mercury thermometers and thermostats

Used Sharps—Proper Storage and DisposalOregon State law mandates proper storageand disposal of used sharps (needles,lancets, and syringes) whether used forhuman or veterinary purposes.

DO NOT PLACE SHARPS IN YOUR GARBAGE CANWorkers can be harmed if sharps are notproperly disposed of in approved containers.

Safe Handling: Store sharps in approved bio-hazard containers only. Milk jugs and coffeecans are NOT SAFE or ACCEPTABLE forsharps storage.

• Return filled sharps containers to a certified bio-hazard disposal facility

• Call Bio-Med of Oregon for home collection service information

• Call your local pharmacy for storage and disposal solutions

Bio-Med of Oregon1-800-622-1378

Metro Information Line(503) 234-3000

WINDY DAYS

ALL TOGETHER IN YOUR CONTAINERPLASTIC• Rinse containers.• Include bottles, tubs, nursery pots, and buckets.• No plastic bags, films, lids, spray pump tops, or

bottles that contained chemical products.

PAPER• Contain scrap and shredded paper in a paper bag.• Include paperboard, magazines, newspaper, junk

mail, milk cartons, drink boxes, soy milk, etc.• No tissues, napkins, waxed paper or frozen food

boxes, food-soiled paper, or hard cover books.

CARDBOARD• Flatten boxes—size limited to < 3'x3'.• No wax-coated cardboard.

METAL AND AEROSOL CANS (NO LIDS)• Empty and rinse cans. Labels OK. • Rinse metal caps, lids, aluminum foil, and foil

baking trays.• Empty aerosol cans completely and remove

plastic caps (keep nozzle in tact).• Metal paint cans accepted with <1" dry paint.

SCRAP METAL• 40 lbs. limit. Pieces < 30".• Remove plastic, rubber, or foreign material.• No household appliances.

ON THE SIDEGLASS KEEP IT ON THE SIDE• Use a bucket or rigid container to separate

glass from other recyclables. Set two feet from your recycling container.

• Rinse containers and remove lids.• No broken glass, cookware, window glass,

mirrors, light bulbs, or drinking glasses.

MOTOR OIL• Place motor oil in a see-through one-gallon plastic

container with a screw-top lid.• Motor oil only—no other liquids accepted.

NO PLASTIC BAGS OR NEEDLES IN RECYCLING

HOW TO RECYCLE— No matter which recycling collection container youhave, the preparation instructions are the same. KEEP GLASS AND MOTOR OIL ON THE SIDE.

RED BIN RECYCLING

Glass and motor oil on the side.

ROLLCART RECYCLING

APARTMENT RECYCLING

Glass on the side.

Glass and motor oil on the side.

Recycling questions? Contact your collection company.

www.RecycleWise.org

JUNTE ESTO EN EL RECIPIENTEARTÍCULOS DE PLÁSTICO • Cubetas limpias.• Incluya botellas, tarrinas, macetas y cubetas.• Nada de envolturas o bolsas plásticas, tapas,

plásticas, boquillas de aerosol, ni envases de químicos peligrosos.

PAPEL• Póngalo papel de desecho en bolsas de papel.• Incluya revistas, periódicos, correo no solicitado.• Nada de papel sanitario, servilletas; papel o

cartoncillo encerados, papel con comida, ni libros de tapa dura.

CARTÓN• Aplane las cajas - limite de 3'x3'.• Nada de cartón encerado.

CARTONES DE LECHE Y CAJITAS DE BEBIDAS• Enjuáguelos; retire popotes.

LATAS DE METAL Y BOTES DE AEROSOL• Botes de pintura con menos de 1" de pintura,

sin tapas.• Sólo recipientes limpios.• Vacíelos bien; retire tapa de plástico.

METAL DE DESECHO• Límite 40 lbs., pedazos menos de 30".• Retire plásticos, hule / caucho y demás.• Nada de aparatos eléctricos.

RECICLAJE—PONER AL LADO VIDRIO PONGA A UN LADO• Separe el vidrio, colóquelo en cubeta dura cerca

del reciclaje.• Limpie bien y quite las tapas.• Nada de vidrio roto, loza, ventanas, espejos, focos

o vasos.

ACEITE DE MOTOR• En recipiente de plástico transparente con tapa

de rosca.• Sólo aceite de motor—otros líquidos no.

NADA DE BOLSAS DE PLÁSTICO O JERINGAS EN EL RECICLAJE

Recycling atHome

GRADE 9-12

3

YES

NO

• Plastic zipper or grocery bags, film, or bubble wrap

• Blister packaging – tough, clear, molded plastic packaging

• All plastic lids (they mix with paper and are disposed of at paper mills)

• Styrofoam

• Disposable food and drinkware

• Bakery/deli/take-out containers

• Seedling trays or nursery pots that crinkle

• Individual-serving containers < 6 oz—applesauce or pudding cups

• Containers that held chemical waste or motor oil

RESOURCES FOR PLASTICS RECYCLING INFORMATIONMetro Facilities and Recycling Information Center (503) 234-3000 www. metro-region.orgMaster Recycler Program Plastics Round-up Events www.masterrecycler.orgWashington County Cooperative Recycling Program (503) 846-8609 www.recyclewise.org

• Bottles, tubs, and containers 6 oz. or larger

• Buckets 5-gallons or less (handles OK)k)

• Rigid nursery plant pots 4" to 5 gallons in size

Rinse out food, soil, or drink residue before placing inrecycling container.

ACCEPTED

NOT ACCEPTED IN CURBSIDE RECYCLING

PLASTICS RECYCLING – ALL RESIDENTS No longer is “check the neck” the standard for recycling plastics. Residents may now add bottles,tubs, jugs, pots and buckets. All materials must be rinsed clean of food, soil, or drink residuebefore setting out for recycling collection. Please keep plastic lids, bags and spray-pumps outof household recycling.

More Recycling Information ... Students’ ArtworkDelivers a Message!Congratulations are due to three talentedWashington County students who put pencil(and marker and crayon) to paper to encourageconservation and protection of naturalresources. More than 3,200 local K-12 studentsentered artwork highlighting topics such aswaste prevention, recycling, composting andreduction in toxic product usage for the Metro2008 Earth Day Billboard Art Contest.

Artists whose designs were selected as winnersor honorable mentions were publicly recognizedat Metro’s Earth Day Billboard Art Show.Winning entries will be displayed on billboardsthroughout the metropolitan area.

And the winners are ...

Apartment/Condo Recycling ResourcesMany of the materials you bag as garbage could be recycled—if you knew where to take it on your property. Let us help! Washington County is committed toeducating residents and property managers about recycling opportunities.

Green Building HotlineCommercial | Residential | New Construction | Remodeling | Energy Efficiency | Stormwater Management |

Site Development | Healthy Materials | Financial Incentives | Salvage, Reuse & Recycling

(503) 823-5431 The Green Building hotline is presented in partnership with Metro, City of Portland Office of Sustainable Development,

and Clackamas, Washington, and Multnomah Counties.

GRADE 3 – 5

Elaine Wan, Grade 5, WinnerSt. Mary’s of the Valley School

Emily Sunderland, Grade 5, Honorable MentionSt. Mary’s of the Valley School

Matthew Humphrey, Grade 11, WinnerTigard High School

TENANT FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. What materials can be recycled at my apartment/multifamily property?

A. Washington County’s recycling program includes the collection of paper, cardboard, metal, rigid plastic tubs, buckets, and bottles. These materials can be mixed together in the same container.

Glass needs to be placed in a container separate from the other recyclables.

Q. What materials are not accepted in mixed recycling?

A. The most common mixed recycling contaminates are:

• Plastic bags (grocery/garbage/drycleaner) —take these back to the store or to a recycling depot.

• Food-soiled cardboard, like pizza boxes—throw this in the garbage.

• Plastic to-go/take-out containers and cups—accepted at recycling depots.

• Styrofoam—mailing peanuts are accepted at mail services storefronts.

Q. How do I collect these materials inside my home?

A. It’s as easy as 1-2-3!

1. Use a durable container/bag to collect recyclable materials in your home.

2. Locate the recycling container or cart on your property and drop in your recyclables.

3. Feel good about your efforts to conserve energy and natural resources.

Q. We just bought new furniture; what should I do with my old stuff?

A. If your unwanted furniture is still in usable condition, you have many options:

• Sell or give it away through online networkssuch as Freecycle.org or Craigslist.org

• Donate furniture to a charitable non-profit organization.

• Post an advertisement on your community bulletin board or in the newspaper.

Recycle your new furniture packaging:

Cardboard - recycle onsite.

Plastic Wrapping - take to a depot.

Packaging Peanuts - take to a mail services storefront.

Q. We just moved in and have many cardboard boxes. How should we recycle them?

A. Ask your property manager or neighbors if there is a cardboard recycling container or a mixed recycling container onsite. If not, find a local recycling depot at Metro’s Find a Recycler webpage www.metro-region.org. Askyour property manager to offer residents the opportunity to recycle—if they are unsure how, they can contact us for assistance.

PROPERTY MANAGERS Free Resources andTechnical Assistance Available

Washington County is committed to helpingproperty managers meet the requirementsof State law (ORS 90.318) to maximize theirrecycling program by providing:

• Free educational materials for residents.

• Free technical assistance; ask us about service levels, rates, outreach.

• Access to the regional Property Manager e-newsletter.

Contact our Recycling Specialist at (503) 846-8609 to find out more!

Learn how to prepare materials for recycling and locate recycling depots. www.RecycleWise.org

Electronics Recycling

Plug-in to eCycling Podcasts

On the run? Podcastshave become

another medium to be entertained,informed, engaged

and connected.In an effort to

communicate with a largeraudience, the United States EnvironmentalProtection Agency (EPA) has launched aseries of podcasts to educate listeners aboutenvironmentally-preferred choices, practices,and trends.

Log on to the EPA’s website (www.epa.gov)to plug-in to three podcasts ranging from 19-25 minutes in length;

• Greener Computers: A Look at Energy Efficiency and Recycling

• Cell Phone Recycling

• Consumer Electronics: Trends in Recycling.

Cell Phone Recycling – It’s an Easy CallEveryday there are thousands of opportunities to recycle cell phones and accessories. Many cellphone retailers, manufacturers, and service providers have ongoing collection programs wherephones can be dropped off or mailed in regardless of the age or brand.

Because electronics consist of valuable materialsincluding gold, plastic, and copper, recoveringthem for reuse or recycling is important. The lifecycle of a cell phone has two potential paths...one journeys through recycling/reuse and theother to the incinerator/landfill.

To recycle old phones and accessories, find arecycling depot on the back of this publication orcontact your phone service provider for store-fronts thatwill accept your phone. Ask if there is a fee for collection.

HD2RE(Hard to Recycle) ItemsSome of the fastest growing waste world-wide is electronics—cell phones, computers,monitors, VCRs/DVD players and more!

Proper handling of the electronics wastestream is important.

Recycle many electronic items at depots(see depot list on page 8).

• Electronics • TVs • Monitors • DVD/VCRs• Carbon Fluorescent Light Bulbs • Radios • Telephones • Cell Phones

FIND LOCAL ELECTRONICS RECYCLERS• RecycleWise.org• metro-region.org• call2recycle.org• collectivegood.com

Tune-in to Digital TVInformation! Don’tTrash that TV!In February 2009, televisionsets that rely on roof-topantennas or TV “rabbit ears”to receive free over-the-airprogramming will no longerreceive analog signals whenthe switch to digital-onlyfrequencies begin. Does that mean viewersshould dispose of their TVs? Absolutely not!

Users can keep their analog TV bypurchasing a digital-to-analog converter box(approx. $70) with the assistance of theNational Telecommunication and InformationAdministration (NTIA). The NTIA is offeringhouseholds up to two coupons ($40 each)towards the purchase of a converter. Thisbox will enable viewers to see additionalprogramming that local stations offer.

Viewers with cable or satellite televisionservice will not be affected by the switch.

DIGITAL TV INFORMATION• Federal Communications Commission

www.dtv.gov

• Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program1-888-388-2009 (voice)1-877-530-2634 (TTY)www.dtv2009.gov

•Oregon DEQ Fact Sheetwww.oregon.gov/DEQ

SONY EstablishesNationwide Electronics Recycling ProgramProgram Open to All ConsumerElectronics Devices

To encourage consumers to recycle anddispose of electronic devices in anenvironmentally-sound manner, Sony hasestablished a national recycling program forconsumer electronics. The Sony Take BackRecycling Program allows consumers torecycle all Sony-branded products for no feeat 75 Waste Management (WM) RecycleAmerica eCycling drop-off centersthroughout the U.S.

Non-Sony electronics are accepted forrecycling at facilities at market prices, whichmay include a recycling fee for somematerials.

“Through the Sony Take Back RecyclingProgram, our customers will know that theirSony products will be recycled in anenvironmentally responsible manner,” saidStan Glasgow, president and chief operatingofficer of Sony Electronics.

Washington County has an e-Cycling drop-off center:

Earth Protection Services, Inc. (Service Partner)

7272 SW Durham Road, Suite 100, Tigard, OR 97224-7593

Call for details: (503) 620-2466 www.earthpro.com

Learn more at www.sony.com/recycle.

Costco.com ElectronicsTrade-In ProgramLog-on, Trade-in, and $Get Green$!Costco members can now recycle electronicsand get some green to spend! Costco haspartnered with e-scrap processor, GreenSightTechnologies (Boca Raton, FL) to offer incentive-based recycling for electronics both online andin stores. Under the new program, consumersuse an online trade-in value calculator to seehow much, if any, the unwanted piece ofelectronic equipment is worth. Once the itemhas been shipped for free via UPS and followingconfirmation by GreenSight, consumers receivea Costco cash card in return.

If the electronic equipment has no trade-invalue, consumers can still ship “old" or non-functioning technology equipment for free viathe program.

The program covers PCs, LCD monitors, digitalcameras, camcorders, game systems, and MP3players. CRT monitors, personal printers and faxmachines will be accepted for recycling only.

For more information about this program, visitthe Costco.com website.

(Source: Resource Recycling E-scrap News 11-9-07 and Costco.com)

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Recycling one aluminum cansaves enough energy to run a TV for three hours.

Laptop vs. Desktop – A laptop usesabout half the energy of itsdesktop counterpart.

5

Lost and Found: Shopping CartsOccasionally shopping carts are found abandoned in neighborhoods andparks—away from the store’s property. What can you do? Report theshopping carts’ location to Northwest Cart Retrieval 1-888-55 CARTS (888-552-2787), a company that contracts with stores to collect and return lost

carts. Not all stores contract with Northwest Cart Retrieval. In these cases, callthe store directly to report the location of its lost carts. Your actions will helpkeep neighborhoods clean and return property to its rightful owner.

Illegal Dumping (Offensive Littering)Illegal dumping is a misdemeanor (ORS 164.805 - $500 Fine)Discarding or depositing any material or sewage upon the land of another without permission ofthe owner, or upon any public way or in or upon any public transportation facility.

Illegal dumping is an unsightly problem that contaminates the surrounding area, posing healthrisks to both people and wildlife. Cleaning up illegal dump sites is an unpleasant task and incursexpenses we all have to bear.

Help stop illegal dumping by being observant and reporting what you see to local government. Ifthe dump site is within City limits, contact the City Government Office. Sites outside of a City’slimits, but inside the County boundaries can be reported to Washington County Solid Waste CodeEnforcement at (503) 846-8609 or e-mail: recycle@co.washington.or.us.

To report illegal dumping, note the following:

• Specific location where materials are dumped

• Types of materials dumped; e.g. tires, yard debris, mattress, black plastic bags, garbage, etc.

• Date and time of day dumping occurred/witnessed

• Description of the person(s) doing the dumping, type and color of vehicle used and license plate number

HOW TO PROPERLY DISPOSE OR RECYCLE UNWANTED MATERIALSUNWANTED FURNITURETake reusable furniture to a qualified non-profit for reuse/resale. Unwantedfurniture that cannot be reused should be disposed of at a landfill. Call theHillsboro Landfill (503-640-9427) for rates or your garbage hauler to find out ifcurbside collection of furniture is possible.

HOUSEHOLD GARBAGEHousehold garbage should be disposed of at a landfill or through curbside service. ContactWashington County Solid Waste and Recycling (503) 846-8609 to determine who collects yourgarbage and their phone number to establish service.

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTEWastes and household chemicals can leak into waterways and aquifers, which can pollutedrinking water and soils. Do your part by taking household chemical waste to Metro’s hazardouswaste collection facilities for free. www.metro-region.org

TIRE DISPOSAL/RECYCLINGDid you know one inch of standing water can produce over 1,000 mosquitoes every seven days?

Un-mounted tires can hold standing water, which creates excellent breedinggrounds for mosquitoes that might carry the West Nile Virus. Recycle unusedtires at local recycling depots or store them in enclosed spaces where water willnot pool.

MOTOR VEHICLE PARTS Metal is very recyclable and accepted by area recycling depots.

YARD OR STORM DEBRISYard and vegetative storm debris can be recycled curbside in Washington County’s recyclingprogram. Accumulating debris for burning must be properly managed to ensure it does not:

• Pose a health risk

• Provide food or shelter for vector (mice, rats)

• Create a nuisance for neighbors

Contact your local fire department to confirm dates when backyard burning is permitted.

CONSTRUCTION WASTERemodeling or construction materials can be recycled. Contact your hauler to order drop boxesfor your project. Visit www.RecycleWise.org or contact Metro Recycling Information Center (503) 234-3000 for a recycler near you.

SpringCleanupEventsWhen the sun starts to shine and rainy dayssubside, it’s hard to fight the urge to cleanaround the house! Many cities in WashingtonCounty plan and host Spring clean-up activitiesfor their residents. Is your city sponsoring aSpring event? Look below for a partial list ofevents. For residents living outside a city’sboundary, but inside the County—look at‘Unincorporated County’ events.

FOREST GROVEAnnual Curbside Clean-up EventMay 5-9Residents within the city limits may put out up tosix (6) extra bags (32-gallon capacity) of garbageat no charge for collection on their regularpickup day. Details in April utility bills.

Bulky Appliance & Tire CollectionMay 10, 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Forest Grove Transfer Station, B StreetCity residents with ID may drop off appliancesand tires for collection at no charge during event hours.

Shredding Day May 10, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.Council and Ash Street (gravel parking lot)City residents with ID may bring sensitive,personal documents for FREE shredding.Personal shredding only—no commercial.

NORTH PLAINSCity Clean Up Day May 10, 9:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.Jessie Mays Community Hall, 30975 NW Hillcrest Street

TIGARDCity residents may contact the City office (503) 718-2599 to request a $37 coupon towards bulky waste items taken to the HillsboroLandfill/Tualatin Valley Waste Recovery Facility.Coupons will be distributed in two waves (58 each wave); May 1-9 and May 12-16.Coupons valid May 19-31, 2008.

TUALATINBulky Waste Day Event May 10, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.Allied Waste Service, 10295 SW Ridder Road,WilsonvilleTualatin city residents with ID may dispose ofbulky waste items at no charge with a donationof non-perishable food items to benefit the localTualatin School House Pantry.

Yard Debris Drop-Off Day May 17, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.Grimm's Fuel, 18850 SW Cipole RoadTualatin city residents with ID may drop off yarddebris at no charge with a donation of non-perishable food items to benefit the local TualatinSchool House Pantry.

UNINCORPORATED WASHINGTON COUNTYWashington County residents who reside insidethe County line, but outside a city’s boundariesare invited to request a $10 Bulky Recyclingcoupon to be used towards recycling ordisposal of bulky waste during May by callingthe Washington County Solid Waste andRecycling Program at (503) 846-8609. Couponsdistributed on a first-come basis, one perhousehold, until supply is exhausted. Couponsvalid May 1-31, 2008.

Illegal Dumping CommunityClean Up

Energy saved by recycling one plastic bottlecan power a computer for 25 minutes.

Color Your Garden Green Natural gardening is gardening withnature as your guide. Using compostto improve your soil, growing plantsadapted to our climate, and using non-toxic pest management are the basics.This year, compost your clippings,blooms, and leaves for Fall compost.

RESOURCESCompost Bins• Metro sells Earth Machine compost

bins ($35) as well as bin floors ($7) at their MetroPaint Store (4825 N Basin Avenue) on Swan Island.

Composting Demonstration Site• Mary Woodward Elementary School

12325 SW Katherine St, Tigard• Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve

2600 SW Hillsboro Hwy, Hillsboro

Worm Bin Composting Demonstration Site• PCC Rock Creek Campus

17705 NW Springville Rd, Portland

Publications & Flyers• Washington County’s Compost Guide

a free “how to” booklet• Hazardless Home Handbook – Metro• Green Cleaners – Metro

(English/Spanish)• Household Hazardous Waste 2008

Collection Schedule – Metro

Contact the Washington CountyCooperative Recycling Program at (503) 846-8609 or Metro RecyclingInformation at (503) 234-3000 to request your free publications today.

WEED, PLANT, TRANSPLANT YOUR GARDEN POTSYour garden starter trays and pots aremade of recyclable plastic! Far WestFibers in Beaverton and Hillsboro(www.farwestfibers.com) and PrideDisposal (www.pridedisposal.com)offer plastic pot drop-off recycling sitesall year-round. Garden containersaccepted include plastic nursery potsup to 5 gallons, seed and carryingtrays, and thin plastics (cell packs, 4"pots). Rinse clean prior to drop-off.

DREAMING OF YOUR SPRING GARDEN?Learn to turn your dreams into greatgardens with the help of a gardeningexpert. To schedule a free naturalgardening presentation for your group,contact Carl Grimm at (503) 797-1676.

10 Tips to keepyour family safefrom toxics1. Take an inventory of your household

chemicals.

2. Remove the most toxic chemicals; switch to safer ones.

3. Mark household chemicals with Mr. Yuk stickers, and teach your kids to stay away from them.

4. Store all chemical products out of children’s reach.

5. Choose safer alternatives to house and garden pesticides. Pesticides canstay on carpets, drapes, and furniturefor months!

6. Plug all insect entry points with screens and caulking.

7. Choose less toxic cleaners. A clean house does not smell of strong chemical cleaners!

8. Keep your home well-ventilated while cleaning.

9. Fight bathroom mold with prevention—not chemicals. Use vents/fans, fix leaks, and use squeegees on tiles/glass.

10.Choose toys without lead-based paints and toxic chemicals.

—Metro, 2007

Family Safety andConsumer ChoiceWebsitesHealthy toys database - www.healthtoys.orgTests results on children’s toys for lead, cadmium,and PVC (polyvinyl chloride).

National Institute of Health – hpd.nlm.nih.govHousehold products database assesses hazardsin brand-name products.

Green Seal – www.greenseal.orgDatabase of certified cleaners, floor careproducts, and paints.

Garden products guide – www.metro-region.org/files/living/growsmart2006.pdf550 pest controls and fertilizers assessed forenvironmental and health risks by WashingtonToxics Coalition and Metro.

Plastics guide – www.healthobservatory.orgFind out what kind of plastic should make up yourbaby’s bottle.

Children’s development and health information –www.aboutkidshealth.caAn award-winning website rich in informationabout children’s health.

Children’s Environmental Health Network –www.cehn.org

—Metro, 2007

Green LivingNaturalGardening

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Green Cleaner RecipesMix ingredients for each recipe in a spray bottle and shake to blend.All-Purpose Cleaner (use for cleaning countertops, floors, walls, carpet and upholstery)• ¼ cup white distilled vinegar • ½ tsp liquid soap • ¾ cup warm water

Glass Cleaner• 1 qt. warm water • ½ cup white vinegar or 2 Tbl. Lemon juiceGrease CleanerMix vinegar and salt into a paste for a good surface cleaner. Will remove grease if vinegar is at full strength.

Hand Wash Disinfectants• 10 drops tea tree oil • 4 oz. liquid castile soapShake to stir or blend in a pump container.

Pet Flea Removal• 1 lemon (score and slice) • 1 cup boiling waterPour water over lemon in a bowl and allow to sit overnight. Spray mixture onto your pet,careful to avoid the eyes and ears.

Go Native!Create natural landscaping that needs less watering and chemicals, and is resistant to pests and diseases. Attract birds, butterflies and beneficial wildlife to your yard.

Reduce erosion and protect water quality.

The NATIVE PLANT FINDER online tool takes the headache out of finding the right Pacific Northwest native plants for your yard.

www.cleanwaterservices.org/gonative

GARDENING WITH NATIVE PLANTS POSTER lists 50 common native plants along with color photos and their growing conditions.

Clean Water Services (503) 681-3663

2008 Curbside Yard Debris Calendar

contact your collector for your pick-up schedule

Residential Collection Services in Unincorporated Washington County

Collection Services by AreaOutside MSD (Rural) Inside MSD (Urban)

Garbage Collection Weekly Weekly Yard Debris Collection Not Available Every-Other-WeekRecycling - Rollcarts Not Available Every-Other-Week

Red Bins Monthly N/A

Washington County Unincorporated Residential Garbage Collection RatesMonthly Charge Rural Monthly Charge Urban

20-Gallon Container $17.32 $19.3932-Gallon Container $18.79 $21.1060-Gallon Container $28.20 $30.6290-Gallon Container $33.51 $36.21

Wilsonville

Sherwood

Durh am

Tualatin

King City

Tigard

Beaverton

Hillsboro

NorthPlains

CedarMillCornelius

Lake Oswego

Gaston

ForestGrove

Banks

DOES WHERE YOU LIVE MAKE A DIFFERENCE?Yes. There is a different level of service for urbanneighborhoods inside the Metropolitan Service District (MSD) and the rural areas outside of the MSD.

If you live within the MSD, your service includes weekly garbage and every-other-week recycling and yard debris collection.

If you reside outside the MSD, your service includes weekly garbage collection and monthly recycling. Rural residents do not receive yard debris collection at this time.

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WHAT’S YOURIMPACT?Happy EarthDay! Howmany “Earths”of naturalresourceswould it taketo sustain all6.6 billionhumans…ifeveryone lived likeyou? American PublicMedia has an interactive game at their websitethat asks consumers to find out if they are livinga sustainable life. Identify the areas in your life(transportation, residential, commercial, orindustrial) where you can make sustainablechanges. www.sustainability.publicradio.org/consumerconsequences

5 Steps Toward a Better Planet1. Buy organic to support local sustainable

farming—sustainable farming uses less fossil fuels than conventional farming. Stroll through farmers’ markets for local, fresh offerings.

2. Eat more organic plant foods, which require less energy to produce than animal foods. Plant farming uses less water, which is fast becoming a precious commodity, and creates less pollution in our rivers and marine ecosystems.

3. Replace standard light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CLFs) - Every replaced bulb cuts approximately 1,300 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions and uses only about one-fourth the energy of an incandescent bulb. 60-watt bulb = 15-watt CFL bulb.

4. Hang a clothesline – Not using your clothes dryer could save 1,016 pounds ofCO2 annually. Wash laundry in cold waterand only run loads (laundry or dishes) when full.

5. Recycle and reuse aluminum, glass, metal, paper, and plastic to save 1,200 pounds of carbon annually.

• Whenever possible, buy in bulk and select minimally packaged foods.

• Avoid disposable products in favor of recyclable ones.

• Compost trash into nutrient-rich mulch for your yard.

(source: Naturally Preferred, April 2007)

Volunteer OpportunitiesMASTER RECYCLERSInterested in learning more about recyclingand helping promote a more sustainablecommunity? Become a Master Recycler!You will complete an intensive eight-weekcourse and then volunteer 30 hoursannually to teach others about reducing,reusing, and recycling.

For more information, visit www.masterrecycler.org or call the Master

Recycler Coordinator at (503) 823-7530.

Please keep this newsletter orrecycle it when you are finished. PLACE CONTAINER AT CURB BY 6:00 A.M.

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Drop-off DepotsPlease call ahead for a full list of materials accepted, operating hours, and any applicable charges.

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Simple steps to close the loopREDUCE

• Plan ahead and purchase carefully to reduce waste.

• Replace disposable items like paper plates, coffee mugs, and napkins with durable ones.

• Buy concentrated products=less packaging.

• Use both sides of the paper!

• Shopping lists limit impulse buying.

• Bring reusable bags from home for your groceries.

WHY REDUCE? Creating less waste conserves naturalresources; reducing the need forproduct transportation, storage,collection services, and landfill space.

REUSE

• Maintain or repair household goods rather than replacing with new.

• Donate, sell, or trade unwanted items.

• Consider joining a Freecycle network in your area (www.freecycle.org) or visit www.craigslist.com to find treasures or offer up unwanted items for cash/trade.

• Check out thrift stores for gently-used items.

• Create a new purpose for old items.

WHY REUSE?Reusing materials reduces the amount ofnew resources used to manufactureproducts. Explore what other uses an itemmay have before the product is discardedor recycled.

RECYCLE

• Prepare recyclables so they have the highest value in the marketplace—rinse containers and keep paper dry.

• Recycle glass separately. Use a bucket or tub for glass and place it next to your bin or cart for collection.

• No plastic grocery bags allowed in curbside recycling containers. Recycleplastic bags at your grocery store or take them to a recycling depot.

WHY RECYCLE?By recycling and buying products madewith recycled content, you help divertrecyclable materials from the landfill and conserve valuable resources.Manufacturers use recyclables asfeedstock to create new products. Byreducing and reusing, you prevent wastegeneration in the first place.

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* Paper - Includes newspaper, magazines, scrap paper, office paper, phone books, and shredded paper.** Metals - Includes aluminum, tin cans, scrap metals, and foil.

*** Appliances - Please call ahead regarding refrigerated appliances.**** Wood - No treated or hardwood accepted.

= no charge ($) = recycled for fee � = depot accepts other materials

Look for us at Community Events

Aloha Garbage Company (503) 649-6727

Banks Recycling Depot (2nd Sat. only) (503) 324-0230

Far West Fibers, Beaverton & Hillsboro(503) 643-9944

Pride Disposal, Sherwood (503) 625-6177

Willamette Resources Industry, Wilsonville(503) 570-0626

Forest Grove Transfer Station (503) 992-1212

Tualatin Valley Waste Recovery/Hillsboro Landfill (503) 640-9427

Metro Transfer Stations/Recycling InfoPortland & Oregon City (503) 234-3000

Best Buy In Town, Hillsboro (503) 645-2275

Grimms Fuel Company, Tualatin (503) 692-3756

Landscape Products & Supply, Hillsboro(503) 846-0881

Nature’s Needs, North Plains (503) 647-9489

Northwest Environmental Recycling, Cornelius(503) 357-6090

Woodco, Aloha (503) 649-5430

Aloha Garbage and Recycling, Aloha (503) 649-6727Accepts printers, scanners, monitors, computers, TVs, DVD & VCR players, cell phones, cameras, batteries, ink cartridges, and microwave ovens.

Computer Drive Connection, (503) 992-0180Computers, monitors, hard/floppy drives, printers, typewriters, modems, circuit boards, mainframes, ink jet & toner cartridges, cell phones, radios and VCRs

Earth Protection Services Inc. (EPSI), Tigard (503) 620-2466Electronics, computers, monitors, TVs, batteries, fluorescent lamps, lighting ballasts, mercury thermostats.

E-tech Recycling, (503) 693-8939Computers/servers, monitors, printers, cell/telephones, fax machines, TVs/VCRs/MP3s. NO MICROWAVES.

Far West Fibers, Hillsboro & Beaverton (503) 643-9944 Accepts printers, scanners, monitors, computers, TVs, DVD & VCR players, and microwave ovens.

Pride Disposal, Sherwood (503) 625-6177Accepts printers, scanners, monitors, computers, TVs, VCR players, cell phones, household/auto batteries, ink/toner cartridges, microwave ovens, fax/copier, and fluorescent bulbs.

Quantum Resource Recovery, Beaverton (503) 646-2427 Accepts scanners, computers, printers, telephones, cell phones, VCRs, radios, and computer wiring.

Choose an Energy Star laptop and save 70% more energy than a non-certified model.

FARMERS’ MARKETS

FOREST GROVEwww.adelantemujeres.org

HILLSBOROwww.hillsboromarkets.org

SHERWOODwww.sherwoodmarket.blogspot.com

TIGARDwww.tigardfarmersmarket.com

Volunteers offer technical assistance on a range of topics including:composting, green cleaners, reuse options, recycling depots, andresidential curbside material preparation.

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