Zero Waste Strategy
NEW RECYCLING & SOLID WASTE SERVICES
Do Not Mail Registry
On January 25, 2010, the Council passed Resolution 31169 which calls on the state of Washington to provide a Do Not Mail registry to minimize the volume of unwanted direct mail delivered to Washington residents. It also asks Seattle Public Utilities to explore low cost options to provide a similar service to Seattle Public Utilities customers in the event of state legislative action.
"Seattle is an environmental leader in the United States, and our commitment to waste reduction is unparalleled," said Councilmember O’Brien. "This resolution is about promoting a strong environmental ethic, but also reflects the need to show fiscal responsibility by helping to reduce the significant costs to Seattle ratepayers associated with disposing of unwanted junk mail."
Based on the Zero Waste Strategy adopted by the City of Seattle in 2007, calling for a state registry supports the existing waste reduction policy. Providing a state registry gives consumers an opportunity to curtail the volume of unwanted mail that they receive. The registry could work much like the successful national DO NOT CALL registry.
"We understand businesses will be affected but an actual threat to consumer activity is not proven," said Councilmember Nick Licata. "The prolific and arguably unread direct mail comes with a cost to our climate, fuel consumption, and our natural resources."
On March 31, 2008, the Council passed another milestone in the Zero Waste Strategy when it approved new solid-waste contracts, which include expanded recycling and compost services.
On July 16, 2007, after eighteen months of work led by Councilmember Richard Conlin, the Seattle City Council unanimously adopted a zero waste strategy to increase recycling, reduce trash and upgrade Seattle’s transfer stations. Councilmember Conlin said, "The Council’s commitment to sustainability put the City on the right path. Instead of accepting more trash as inevitable, we are now treating waste as a resource to be reused, recycled or composted. That’s a sea change in the way that we view it! This plan gives us a real shot at shortening our daily mile-long train to entomb garbage in the ground." The City now aims to increase the percentage of waste that is recycled or reused from our current 44% to 70% with a new set of strategies and waste reduction programs.
Learn more:
- Press release: Seattle Passes Landmark Measure to Eliminate Waste
- Press release: Council Passes Zero Waste Strategy
- Zero Waste Strategy, Resolution 30990
- Councilmember Conlin's newsletter article on Zero Waste
- Volume 1 of the Seattle Solid Waste Recycling, Waste Reduction, and Facilities Opportunities consultant report
- Volume 2
This volume includes all the strategies that were considered for the report.
- Media stories on Zero Waste:
- Recycling: Reduce the waste, Seattle P-I, July 11, 2007
- Residents urge council panel to ban Styrofoam, end proposed garbage handling site, Seattle P-I, June 8, 2007
- Plastic foam, grocery bags could end up on Seattle hit list, Seattle P-I, June 7, 2007
- Georgetown neighbors talking trash with city, Seattle P-I, June 7, 2007
- Reducing Waste: Good for Earth, Seattle P-I, April 20, 2007
|
