Seattle recycles a record 50%, aims for 60% by 2012

Seattle recycles a record 50%, aims for 60% by 2012

July 2

Seattle recycled a record amount in 2008, diverting half of the city´s waste from the landfill, according to Mayor Greg Nickels.

The city´s 2008 recycling rate for residential, commercial and self-hauled waste was 50%, a 1.8% improvement from 2007. It is the fifth year in a row the rate has increased since the city dropped to a 38.2% recycling rate in 2003. The decrease prompted Nickels to set a goal and implement measures to recycle 60% of the city´s waste by 2012.

"The credit for this milestone really belongs to everyone in Seattle for taking small, simple steps every day," Nickels said. "People have taken recycling to heart. It´s part of our values and what makes Seattle a great place."

Single-family homes recycled 65.4% through recycling and composting programs, according to figures based on an annual waste audit by Seattle Public Utilities. Multifamily residents recycled at a 28.3% rate, while commercial recycling was up to 54.7% in 2008. The city´s two recycling and disposal stations recycled 18.4% of the waste dropped off.

Contact Waste & Recycling News reporter Joe Truini at 330-865-6166 or jtruini@crain.com

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