King County to focus on two site alternatives for the Northeast Recycling and Transfer Station Project environmental review
King County’s Solid Waste Division invites the public to comment on the revised scope of its environmental impact statement for the Northeast Recycling and Transfer Station Project after removing the Houghton Park and Ride in Kirkland as a potential candidate site. The comment period runs from March 20 to April 10.

King County invests in 14 projects that will advance waste prevention, reuse, and recycling, all contributing to the Re+ initiative
King County’s Solid Waste Division is providing $2.3 million in funding to support 14 local projects through the Re+ Circular Economy Grant Program. Grants are awarded to projects within King County that focus on waste prevention and reuse, and recycling. This grant program is a part of Re+, King County’s approach to reduce landfill waste by 70% by 2030.

King County will save more than $80 million for critical water quality projects with low-interest loans
King County Wastewater Treatment Division will receive $165.3 million in low-interest loans awarded by the state Department of Ecology for two critical projects that protect water quality. The loans will save ratepayers $83.5 million in interest costs.

Dispose of household hazardous waste safely and easily across King County at the Wastemobile mobile collection service
It’s that time of year again when people living in King County can safely and conveniently dispose of fluorescent light bulbs, batteries, oil-based paint, and many other household hazardous products close to home at the King County Wastemobile. The mobile collection service travels to communities throughout the county from late February to October. The 2023 Wastemobile season kicks off today and continues this weekend at the University of Washington – Bothell campus.

Public survey will help King County develop strategies that reduce food waste, cut greenhouse gas emissions
King County Solid Waste Division invites the public to share feedback about proposed strategies to keep more food waste out of the garbage. An anonymous online survey about food and yard waste management is available starting today.

Beaches near Fauntleroy Ferry reopen after water testing confirms safe conditions following brief wastewater spill caused by lightning strike
Beaches near the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal were reopened to the public Thursday after water quality testing over consecutive days showed safe results. The beaches were closed out of an abundance of caution following a brief wastewater overflow from King County’s Barton Pump Station.

Power interruption from nearby lightning strike causes West Seattle pump station wastewater overflow
A Seattle City Light power interruption caused Barton Pump Station in West Seattle to briefly overflow Monday. King County workers responded quickly and reset the pump station within minutes of the overflow. The station is now back online and operating normally. Cove Beach and Lincoln Park Beach are temporarily closed.

Recycle plastic bags, wrap, and Styrofoam at the Bow Lake and Shoreline transfer stations
After a brief pause in service, King County’s Solid Waste Division again offers free recycling of Styrofoam and plastic bags and wraps at its Bow Lake and Shoreline recycling and transfer stations. Materials must be empty, clean, and dry.

King County, partners create new basin steward position dedicated to the Duwamish River, strengthening restoration projects that benefit communities, salmon, orcas
Creating a new basin steward position to guide and oversee habitat protection and restoration work in the Duwamish River gives the waterway a strong advocate for advancing salmon recovery work benefitting people, salmon, and orcas as well as the health of the Green-Duwamish Watershed.

Help King County identify potential solutions for future flooding as the region prepares for climate impacts
With climate change increasing the potential for more frequent and severe flooding in the Pacific Northwest, King County seeks community input on solutions for coastal, tributary, and urban flooding problems. Input collected during online meetings this month will help identify strategies for the update to King County’s Flood Management Plan.

Executive Constantine launches Re+, reinventing the region’s waste system to cut carbon emissions, transition to a sustainable economy
King County is launching a new initiative, Re+, to return valuable materials to the economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions created by the region’s waste system. Re+ aims to recover nearly 70% of materials that are currently being sent to the landfill that could avoid becoming waste in the first place by being reused, recycled, or composted.

Executive Constantine announces $52 million for 36 projects that will protect greenspace, restore habitat, conserve tree canopy, increase access to homegrown food
Thirty-six projects throughout King County will receive a combined $52 million in open space preservation funding after a plan proposed by Executive Constantine has been approved by the King County Council.

New trail bridge will cross the White River, connecting cities, schools, business districts, and civic centers with 22 miles of uninterrupted paved trail
A new 572-foot-long weathered steel bridge will cross the White River, connecting completed segments of the Foothills Trail at the King-Pierce county line. The project will connect residents, business districts, and civic centers to a 22-mile trail that offers scenic views of Mount Rainier.

King County partnering with community-based organizations to create a 40,000-square-foot food hub, better connecting local farmers to hunger relief organizations
King County is partnering with Food Lifeline to convert their 40,000-square-foot warehouse into the new South Seattle Community Food hub, providing much-needed shared space for storing, packing, and distributing fresh produce and goods to people and families experiencing hunger.

King County crews quickly stop equipment malfunction that led to wastewater-stormwater bypass from Richmond Beach pump station
An equipment malfunction at King County Wastewater Treatment Division’s Richmond Beach Pump Station in Shoreline was quickly repaired by responding workers Tuesday.

Power restored after outage leads to brief overflow into Lake Washington from King County’s Medina pump station
King County Wastewater Treatment Division’s Medina pump station experienced a power outage that caused a brief overflow into Lake Washington early on Monday, Dec. 26. The pump station quickly resumed normal operations once power was restored.

‘Be Flood Ready’ information available in multiple languages to help people in King County protect themselves from flooding
The 2022-2023 Be Flood Ready brochure is available to help everyone stay safe who lives, works, plays, or commutes through flood-prone areas. Available online in 23 languages, the safety information is provided by the King County Flood Control District and was mailed to everyone in the floodplain.

Follow these tips from King County’s Solid Waste Division and there will be no waste at home for the holidays
From trees to light strands, to gift wrap and post-feast food scraps, reducing waste during the holiday season can be a challenge. King County’s Solid Waste Division is here to help with lots of tips to reduce and recycle your holiday waste.

Pilot shows potential solutions for recycling plastic wraps and bags, keeping them from tangling equipment at recycling facilities and getting clean material back into the economy
Of the 25 tons of material dropped off at collection bins located at 10 independent grocery stores, 95% was usable plastic that could be recovered or recycled. The results of the pilot project show the potential to reduce the number of plastic wraps and bags that are buried in landfills.

Upstream salmon habitat restored by King County this year, will soon begin a decade of projects to open 250 more miles of streams and rivers
Delivering on a direction by Executive Dow Constantine to restore access to the best habitat for the most fish as quickly as possible, this year King County completed seven projects and will soon begin a decade of new projects that will restore access to at least half of the habitat currently blocked by county-owned roads and trails.

Icy roads lead King County to reschedule tonight’s public meeting for the Northeast Recycling and Transfer Station Project
Due to icy roads and potentially hazardous evening driving conditions, King County postponed tonight’s public meeting on the Northeast Recycling and Transfer Station Project. A new date in January will be announced soon.

King County crews repair sewer pipe leak near Lincoln Park in West Seattle
A leak in the sewer pipe along Lincoln Park in West Seattle was quickly repaired by King County Wastewater Treatment Division crews within hours of notification on Sunday. The line and system are now fully operational.

King County crews quickly stop leak in wastewater pipe near Barton Pump Station and begin cleanup
A leak in the combined sewer force main pipe near Barton Pump Station in West Seattle was reported to King County Wastewater Treatment Division on Sunday, Nov. 27. Staff quickly responded to stop the leak and flows to the beach at Lincoln Park.

Opportunity to comment on environmental impact statement scope for King County’s next Flood Management Plan
King County is collecting input from Monday, Nov. 7 through Friday, Dec. 9, on the scope of an environmental impact statement for the next King County Flood Management Plan. Comments from the public, tribal governments, and city, state, and federal agencies will shape how the County approaches flood planning.

King County seeks public comment on a proposed recycling and transfer station project planned for Kirkland or Woodinville
King County’s Solid Waste Division is seeking public comment on the scope of an environmental impact statement the agency is preparing for its new Northeast Recycling and Transfer Station Project. An online open house along with three public meetings will offer project information, and opportunities to comment in person or in writing.