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Leaves, leftovers, and less waste

Grab your pumpkin spice latte—the latest edition of the Recycling and Garbage Newsletter is here! Welcome to the fall edition, where we share tips for recycling right, reducing waste, safely disposing of batteries, and more. 

Recycle right this season

Fall festivities often create a lot of waste and confusion about what can and can't be recycled. Recycle right by correctly sorting these seasonal items:

What's new with recycling laws?

Earlier this year, the legislature passed the Recycling Reform Act, making Washington the seventh state to adopt an extended producer responsibility (EPR) program for packaging and paper products. This new law shifts the responsibility and most of the cost of recycling and waste management to the producers of those products. That means recycling costs will go down for residents!

The Recycling Reform Act will:

• Create a statewide recycling list, so whether you're in Kitsap County or a neighboring county, you'll be able to recycle the same materials.
• Expand recycling access to nearly 500,000 more homes in Washington.
• Increase the amount of recyclables collected.
• Lower household recycling bills by 90% by 2032.
• Increase transparency around where recycled packaging ends up and whether it's actually being recycled into new products.
• Fund improvements to recycling infrastructure and technology.

Changes as significant as this will take time to implement. Learn more about the timeline and the expected impacts by visiting the Department of Ecology's Recycling Reform Act webpage.

What does this mean for recycling right now?

Please continue to use our Recycle Right Guide to help you recycle right in Kitsap County. We'll track the implementation of the Recycling Reform Act and keep you updated on any changes that come from it.

Bring your own cup

Cue the pumpkin spice lattes and apple cider... it's time to bring your own cup to coffee shops! Small actions like bringing a resuable cup make a difference. Find a coffee shop that accepts clean, personal cups on the Bring Your Own Cup webpage!

Get a free moisture meter

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is giving away Clean Burning Kits to help residents adopt cleaner burning practices when using wood stoves or fireplaces this fall and winter. Each kit includes a moisture meter to test the dryness of your wood.

Learn more about the toolkit on the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency's webpage.

Drop off your yard waste

Many local businesses in Kitsap accept clean yard waste to turn into mulch and compost. Recycling yard waste is often cheaper than disposal, and it keeps reusable materials out of the landfill. Find a facility near you on our Yard Waste Recycling webpage!

Freeze your leftovers

Made too much soup, and you aren't sure what to do? Freeze it! Once frozen, soups and stews can maintain peak quality for 3 to 4 months (USDA, Freezing and Food Safety). 

Learn more about storing and eating leftovers safely on USDA's Leftovers and Food Safety webpage. 

Skip the bin, turn your batteries in!

Woodsy Owl, known for influencing generations of Americans to 'Give a Hoot, Don't Pollute,' is back in a new national campaign aimed at reminding residents to never throw batteries in the trash or recycling cart. The "Skip the Bin, Turn Your Batteries In" campaign teaches residents how to safely handle and responsibly recycle batteries. 

Phones, laptops, toothbrushes, toys, and more run on batteries. But when tossed in the trash or recycling cart, these items spark intense fires that are nearly impossible to stop. Learn more about the campaign, including resources and activities for kids, on the campaign website. 

You can bring batteries to the free battery collection buckets at:

• Olympic View Transfer Station
• Recycling and Garbage Facilities
• Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility

Recycle your wood stove, get $500

Ready to upgrade your old wood stove? You can get paid $500 for recycling it! By recycling your old stove, you can enjoy cleaner air, a cleaner home, and extra cash. For a limited time, Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is offering rebates for recycling your uncertified wood stoves and inserts (not built-in). You can check if you qualify for the program on Puget Sound Clean Air Agency's Wood Stove Recycling Program webpage.

Community events and resources

Waste reduction and recycling events

• Kitsap Fix-it Fair in Poulsbo: We're hosting a free community repair event with Kitsap Regional Library on September 27, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Poulsbo library branch. 
• Discover Kingston Community Open House: Join us at the Village Green Community Center on September 29, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. to learn about recycling and curbside composting.
• Kitsap Fix-it Fair in East Bremerton: We're hosting a free community repair event with Kitsap Regional Library on October 11, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Sylvan Way library branch.
• Kitsap Halloween Bash: Find us at the trunk-or-treat event on October 25, 2025, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds. Join us for this free community event where we'll share our fall recycling guide and information on curbside composting. 

Resources

• Trash Talk, Episode 1. Caitlin Newman, a program supervisor with the Kitsap County Solid Waste Division, recently made an appearance on this new local show hosted by Reama Bubblez to discuss garbage and recycling in Kitsap County. To learn more about garbage and recycling in Kitsap, view our interactive StoryMap. 
• Back to school shopping? Here's how to pick safer school supplies. The Washington State Department of Ecology shares tips to reduce exposure to harmful chemicals in school supplies. From art supplies to backpacks, their blog covers what common chemicals are in these supplies and safer options to swap to. 
• Kitsap County Fall Recycle and Curbside Composting Guide
• Improving Residential Recycling. In this fact sheet, the Washington State Department of Ecology describes how the Recycling Reform Act extended producer responsibility program will work. They also highlight expected impacts of the law.

Contact information

Kitsap County Public Works, Solid Waste Division, 360.337.5777 or [email protected] Kimberly Pleger, Public Works Communications Manager, 360.337.5777 or [email protected]