News

In its first full year of paint collection and recycling, the PaintCare Minnesota stewardship program recycled over 1 million gallons of paint, 26% more than expected, according to an article in the Star Tribune.

The Mattress Recycling Council (MRC) extended producer responsibility (EPR) program in Connecticut completed its first annual report in June 2016. Since the May 2015 start, the program recycled 150,000 mattresses through 101 free drop-off sites.

The Drug Enforcement Agency's (DEA) Oct. 22, 2016 National Prescription Drug Take Back Day collected and properly disposed of 731,269 pounds (almost 366 tons) of medication at almost 5200 collection sites nationwide. Washington state collected 9.6 tons, Oregon 4 tons, Idaho 1.6 tons, and Alaska 1 ton.

Walgreens installed "more than 500 safe medication disposal kiosks [in 2016] at its pharmacies in 35 states" for unwanted medicines, at no cost, during pharmacy hours, including 10 in Washington and 6 in Oregon.

Kitsap Public Health Board and Tacoma-Pierce County Board of Health are considering secure medicine return regulations similar to those in Snohomish County and King County.

Since Vermont's battery product stewardship law went into effect in January 2016, requiring battery stewards to pay for the collection and recycling of their products, Chittenden Solid Waste District recycled almost 18,000 lbs. of used batteries, "well above its battery shipments for any recent year.

The Washington Department of Ecology Waste 2 Resources Program is hiring a Statewide Resources Section Manager located in Lacey, Washington. The position is open until filled though initial screening was Nov. 10, 2016.

Game of Thrones actress Sophie Turner takes us through the Zero Waste Movement in a YouTube video from the perspective of the millenial generation:

The Tacoma-Pierce County Board of Health is considering a secure medicine return regulation similar to those in Snohomish County and King County, wh

The award-winning documentary "STINK!" can be viewed for free online through October 2016. "STINK!" follows the journey of Director Jon Whelan as he tries to uncover the truth about regulations in the chemical and cosmetics industry. Follow Jon through boardrooms, to back alleys, and the halls of Congress as he stumbles on a huge issue in America – which is that some products on our store shelves are not safe – by design.