52% of Garbage in Seattle is Recycled. Goal of 60% by 2010

Seattle Press Release

Recycling Rate Hits New High in Seattle
Residents send more than half of their garbage to the recycling bins

SEATTLE - Seattle set a new record for recycling rates, with 52.1 percent of residential garbage heading to recycling bins instead of the landfills.

The residential recycling rate climbed by 2.7 percentage points compared to 2004 and was 2.2 percentage points higher that the previous record set in 1995. The figures are based on an annual waste audit conducted by Seattle Public Utilities (SPU).

SPU officials cite Mayor Greg Nickels’ 60% Recycling Plan and the efforts of businesses and residents as the primary reasons for the city’s recycling progress.

“Seattle is once again leading the way on recycling, thanks to the commitment of residents across the city,” Nickels said. “People understand that recycling is one of the most important steps they can take to protect the environment, and it shows the kind of impact we can make when everyone works together.”

New programs, such as the city’s food waste service and recycling ordinance, made a difference. In the first year of the food waste program, residents recycled 6,000 tons of scraps. Businesses recycled 68,000 tons of paper in 2005, nearly 14,000 tons more than in 2004.

SPU reports show that all sectors increased their recycling in 2005, except the city’s two recycling transfer stations, which dropped slightly from 18.8 percent to 17.9 percent. Combining commercial, residential and transfer station rates, the city recycled 44.1 percent of its waste last year, an increase of 2.9 percentage points over 2004.

“There’s still more that can be done,” said Nickels. “More than half of our garbage is made up of paper, food waste, plastic, glass and metal that could be recycled.”

Seattle’s goal is to recycle 60 percent of its waste by 2010. Seattle’s recycling rate steadily declined in the late 1990s to a low point of 38.2 percent in 2003. That year, Nickels unveiled a range of new recycling services for Seattle residents and businesses, including commercial food scrap collection, more frequent collection of yard waste, vegetable food waste added to yard waste, new yard waste collection carts, new public place recycling containers, and free curbside recycling for businesses.

Seattle also established an ordinance that prohibits recyclable paper and cardboard and yard waste in commercial garbage. The ordinance also prohibits recyclable paper, cardboard, cans and bottles in residential garbage.

Still another means of increasing recycling is to expand recycling opportunities at the city’s garbage transfer stations. That option is part of a proposed garbage facilities plan now under consideration by the Seattle City Council.

Earlier this year, Seattle’s recycling program was recognized for excellence by the Solid Waste Association of North America and the American Forest + Paper Association named the city its “Community Recycler of the Year.”

In addition to providing a reliable water supply to more than 1.3 million customers in the Seattle metropolitan area, SPU provides essential sewer, drainage, solid waste and engineering services that safeguard public health, maintain the city’s infrastructure and protect, conserve and enhance the region's environmental resources.