King County’s Spring Household Hazardous Wastemobile Event is coming up from Friday, March 26th through Sunday, March 28th at the Des Moines Marina.

This is the perfect opportunity to get rid of all that hazardous waste you’ve got sitting around, like dead batteries, fluorescent bulbs, oil, gas and a myriad of other stuff that can ruin the environment.

Here are the details:

WHAT: King County’s Spring Household Hazardous Wastemobile Event

WHEN: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Sunday March 26 – March 28

WHERE: Des Moines Marina, located at 22307 Dock Street in Des Moines.

What to bring:

• solvents
• batteries, (lead acid, button, rechargeable)
• oil based paint
• cleaners
• pesticides
• oil
• antifreeze
• gasoline
• mercury products
• fluorescent bulbs and tubes
• propane tanks

What NOT to bring;

• latex paint
• empty containers
• computers
• TVs
• alkaline batteries
• explosives
• asbestos
• appliances
• medicines
• solid waste
• tires, etc

The following restrictions apply at all the household hazardous Wastemobile collection events:

• gasoline – 30 gallon limit
• total waste – 50 gallons per customer per day
• container size – no larger than five gallons
• fluorescent tubes or bulbs (not accepted from businesses) – limit 10
• automotive batteries – limit 5

The Wastemobile is FREE of charge and is for King County Residents and small quantity generators only. To find out if you qualify as a King County small quantity generator, call the Business Waste Line at 206 263-8899.

Additional information can be found at www.lhwmp.org or contact the Household Hazards Line at 206 296-4692, toll free at 1 888 869-4233

Story and Photos by Scott Schaefer

Members of Boy Scout Troop #375 were busy Saturday (Jan. 2nd), at their annual Christmas Tree Recycling Fundraiser in the parking lot of BTB Advertiser Herr Backyard Garden Center on SW 160th, just behind the Cafe Lipshtick espresso booth.

It’s just $5 to donate your tree(s), and they’ll be accepting more tomorrow (Sunday, Jan. 3rd) from 9am to 4pm.

“This is one of two major fundraisers we do every year,” said Scoutmaster Mark Ufkes as he supervised the kids. “Along with our annual dinner at St. Francis, the money raised today will go towards scholarships for camps for scouts. And people should know that a kid can be a Boy Scout without having to pay much money.”

Ufkes continued: “To be a Boy Scout, all you have to do is a) be between 11 and 18 years old, b) be an upstanding citizen, c) believe in a higher power, and d) want to spend a lot of time outdoors doing adventures with other kids. Having money is not a factor.”

Troop #375 serves boys in areas including Des Moines, Normandy Park, Burien, White Center and West Seattle. For more information, check out their website here.

This event is a “mandatory” one for members of this troop, and we counted at least 12 scouts while we were there Saturday afternoon. Ufkes says that all 20 boys from this troop will help out over the entire weekend, making one wonder:

How many scouts does it take to de-limb a Christmas tree?

To find out, click on Scott Schaefer’s Photo Slideshow below:

Click to View Scott Schaefer’s Photo Slideshow

The large truck hauler used at his event was donated by Scarsella Brothers Construction, who help out every year.

Over the last two years, 16 Eagle Scouts have been awarded in Troop #375, which is an unusually high number. The Troop is currently sponsored by St. Francis of Assisi Church in Burien.

According to the Des Moines Historical Society, Boy Scout Troop #375 was formed March 17, 1924 by Rev. Beatty, Scoutmaster, Rollin Case, and Franklin Lowery. In 1923, Rev. Cyrus Gilbert, a teacher at Sunnydale and Highline High School, had established a troop at Sunnydale.

We here at The B-Town Blog highly recommend that all Readers recycle your tree with these kids, because everything stays local, from the donations, which fund scout activities, to the firewood (which will be sold to raise funds) to the mulch made from the tree chippings (which will end up in a local yard).

Sustainable Burien wants everyone to know that they’re arranging for an innovative event on Thursday, Dec. 31st and Friday, Jan. 1st near Burien Town Square – FREE Styrofoam recycling!

That’s right folks – now you can safely and ecologically dispose of those pesky little Styrofoam critters, especially the ones that stick to you via static electricity. What a relief.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Styrofoam Recycling Event

WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 31st and Friday, Jan. 1st from 1pm to 5pm both days

WHERE: An empty storefront at 457 SW 148th, across the parking lot from Bartell’s and Ace Hardware, in the northeast corner of the lot.

INFO: From their website:

West Bild, the developer of Burien Town Square, has graciously loaned us an empty store front at 457 SW 148th, across the parking lot from Bartells and Ace Hardware, in the North East corner of the lot.

For two days only we’ll be collecting clean white Styrofoam (#6 or EPS) materials, the types most commonly found with new electronic products, appliance packaging, computers and monitors, furniture packaging and picnic/shipping coolers.

We cannot accept urethane foam cushions, expanded polypropylene (EPP), foam insulation, plastic wrap, bubble wrap or hard plastics.

We reserve the right to refuse anything that doesn’t meet the guidelines.

To determine if you have the right material look for the “#6″ or “EPS” inside the recycle symbol, if it’s sheet material bend it – it should break and snap with loose beads. All foreign material like plastic sheeting, tape, staples and cardboard must be removed.

All material collected will be taken to Styrorecycle where the Styrofoam is ground up, compressed and densified into blocks, which are then manufactured into products such as picture frames, TV and computer cases, office equipment and other plastic products.

Styrorecycle is on the west side of Ikea in Renton, if you’re going that way you can drop off Styrofoam for recycling at no charge. They are open Tuesday through Saturday, 9am to 5:30pm all year long.

More information available at the Sustainable Burien website.

The Normandy Park and Burien Fall Recycling Collection Event and Rain Barrel Sale is scheduled for this Saturday, Sept. 19th from 9am – 3pm at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center, which is located at 19010 First Avenue South.

At this event you can safely dispose of numerous unwanted materials, some for free, others for a small fee.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Normandy Park & Burien Recycling Collection Event

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 19h from 9 am to 3 pm

WHERE: Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center

INFO: Recycle these household wastes:

• TIRES: Bias ply, steel belted, and studded tires accepted. Limit 6 passenger tires per household (18 inches and below) free of charge. $1.50 charge for each tire on a rim. $5 charged for each large truck tire and $15 charged for each truck tire on rim (cash only). No oversized tires accepted.
• MOTOR OIL, FILTERS, & ANTIFREEZE: Motor oil, oil filters, antifreeze, brake fluid, transmission fluid, 2-cycle oil, steering fluid, crankcase oil, kerosene, and home heating fuel. Do not mix with antifreeze, solvents, gasoline, or other substances.
• LEAD ACID BATTERIES: Car, truck, marine, and motorcycle batteries accepted.
• ALKALINE BATTERIES: AAAA, AAA, AA, A, B, C, and D cell batteries only.
• CARDBOARD: Please flatten. No wax coated cardboard.
• REUSEABLE HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND CLOTHING: Clothing and miscellaneous household items in good condition will be collected by Seattle Goodwill. Mattresses and furniture will not be accepted. Items in need of repair will not be accepted.
• PORCELAIN TOILETS AND SINKS: $5 charge (cash only). Toilet seats, hardware, and base wax rings must be removed.
• REFRIGERATORS/FREEZERS/HOUSEHOLD AIR CONDITIONERS: $25 charge for each refrigerator, freezer or household air conditioner (cash only).
• APPLIANCES AND SCRAP METAL: Auto parts, engines and gas lawnmowers (drained of oil and gasoline), metal lawn chairs, stoves, microwaves, barbecues, steel, aluminum, brass, copper and other ferrous and non-ferrous metals. $5 will be charged for each water heater that still has insulation coating (cash only). Metals that are insulated, rubber or oil coated, previously or currently contain chemicals, paint, or hazardous materials will not be accepted. Light fixture ballasts and sealed drums will not be accepted.
• PROPANE TANKS: Residential tanks only. $5 charge (cash only).
• ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT: DVD players, VCRs, stereo equipment, printers, copiers, fax machines, scanners, cellular phones and computer peripherals such as keyboards and mice. Computer monitors and televisions will not be accepted. You can recycle these items for free at other locations.

DON’T BRING:

• No scrap wood/bulky wood
• No construction/demolition debris No garbage No mattresses/furniture No plastic toys, hoses, etc.
• No window glass

These hazardous wastes:

• No oil based paint
• No pesticides/herbicides
• No household chemicals
• No cleaning products
• No fluorescent lights

Rules For Latex Paint

• Latex paint is no longer considered hazardous waste and the household hazardous waste facilities in King County (the Wastemobile, Factoria, and two Seattle sites) no longer accept it. Residents who cannot use up latex paint, please dry it out and put it in the garbage with the lid off. Visit the King County website www.kingcounty.gov/dnrp/swd for more informa- tion on how to dry out latex paint.

For event information, call 206-248-7603 or visit www.govlink.org/hazwaste/house/disposal/ or call the Household Hazards Line Monday to Friday 9 am to 4:30 pm except holidays at 206-296-4692.

Washington now has a FREE recycling program called “E-Cycle Washington” for computers, computers monitors, laptops, and televisions. Call 1-800-RECYCLE or visit 1800recycle.wa.gov to find authorized E-Cycle Washington collection locations. In the Burien/Normandy Park area you may drop off computers, computers monitors, laptops, and televisions for free at the following E-Cycle Washington locations:

• Burien Goodwill Store (1031 SW 128th Street, Burien, WA 98146, 206-957-1020)
• Salvation Army Burien Store (16033 1st Ave S, Burien, WA 98148, 206-267- 7272)
• St. Vincent de Paul (13445 1st Ave S, Burien, WA 98168, 206-243-6370)

Please note – drop off locations may change. Quantities accepted are limited. Please also note that computer peripherals such as keyboards, mice, and printers are not included in this program but will be accepted at City Recycling Collection Events.

Rain Barrel & Compost Bin Sale:
To encourage the use of recycled content material and more efficient use of water, the cities of Burien and Normandy Park are offering recycled plastic rain barrels at a huge discount. In addition, start backyard composting with a compost bin to save resources and money. Composting is a natural process that turns yard waste into rich soil. Yard waste—grass, leaves, old flowers—contain mostly water. Once the material decomposes, rich soil is all that’s left.

$20 each. Cash only. While supplies last. No pre or post event sales.

Tukwila company American Electronics Recycling Corporation is holding a FREE “E-Cycling” event this weekend (Aug. 7th, 8th, and 9th from 9am – 3:30pm) as part of the state’s “E-Cycle” law that allows for convenient and environmentally-responsible recycling of computers, monitors, laptops and televisions.

Drop-offs are being accepted at American Electronics Recycling Corporation offices, located at 18435 Olympic Ave. South in the South Center South Industrial Park in Tukwila (see map below). There will be signs directing traffic off of West Valley Highway.

Here are the details:

WHAT: FREE e-cycling event

WHEN: Friday, Aug. 7th, Saturday, Aug. 8th and Sunday, Aug. 9th, from 9am-3:30pm

WHERE: American Electronics Recycling Corporation offices, located at 18435 Olympic Ave. South in the South Center South Industrial Park in Tukwila (see map below)

INFO: They will be collecting a long list of electronic items, including all TVs, Laptops, PCs, and Monitors for free. AER is registered with the WA State Dept. of Ecology, as part of the E-Cycle WA program. More info on our company, and a list of the items they will be accepting can be found at http://www.aercorprecycler.com.

Here’s more info from the State of Washington E-Cycle website:

Who can use the program?
Households, small businesses, schools & school districts, small governments, special purpose districts, and charities can recycle electronic products free of charge in this program.

What can I recycle for free?

• Televisions
• Computers
• Computer monitors
• Portable or laptop computers

Please note that computer peripherals such as keyboards, mice, and printers are not included in this program.

Why recycle electronics?
Many electronics, especially TVs and computers, contain toxic materials such as lead, cadmium and mercury. Reusing and recycling electronics keeps these toxic materials out of our landfills and incinerators and also recovers valuable resources. The electronic equipment this program collects will be taken apart and separated into materials such as glass, plastic, metal and toxic chemicals. All recycling will follow performance standards set up by the Department of Ecology.

To find other drop-off points near you, visit this website.

View Larger Map

On Saturday (May 16th), the cities of Burien and Normandy Park held a major recycling event, and Photographer Michael Brunk was there to capture these photos::

Click to View Slideshow

The Normandy Park and Burien Spring Recycling Event and Rain Barrel Sale is scheduled for this Saturday, May 16th from 9am – 3pm at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center, which is located at 19010 First Avenue South.

At this event you can safely dispose of numerous unwanted materials, some for free, others for a small fee.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Normandy Park & Burien Recycling Collection Event

WHEN: Saturday, May 16th from 9 am to 3 pm

WHERE: Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center

INFO: Recycle these household wastes:

• TIRES: Bias ply, steel belted, and studded tires accepted. Limit 6 passenger tires per household (18 inches and below) free of charge. $1.50 charge for each tire on a rim. $5 charged for each large truck tire and $15 charged for each truck tire on rim (cash only). No oversized tires accepted.
• MOTOR OIL, FILTERS, & ANTIFREEZE: Motor oil, oil filters, antifreeze, brake fluid, transmission fluid, 2-cycle oil, steering fluid, crankcase oil, kerosene, and home heating fuel. Do not mix with antifreeze, solvents, gasoline, or other substances.

Items Must Meet the Following Guidelines:

• LEAD ACID BATTERIES: Car, truck, marine, and motorcycle batteries accepted.
• ALKALINE BATTERIES: AAAA, AAA, AA, A, B, C, and D cell batteries only.
• CARDBOARD: Please flatten. No wax coated cardboard.
• REUSEABLE HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND CLOTHING: Clothing and miscellaneous household items in good condition will be collected by Seattle Goodwill. Mattresses and furniture will not be accepted. Items in need of repair will not be accepted.
• PORCELAIN TOILETS AND SINKS: $5 charge (cash only). Toilet seats, hardware, and base wax rings must be removed.
• PROPANE TANKS: Residential tanks only. $5 charge (cash only).
• CLEAN SCRAP WOOD: Includes milled wood, plywood, pallets, and other untreated and unpainted wood. No peg board, particle or press board.
• BULKY WOOD: Includes large tree branches (minimum 6 inches in diameter), logs, and stumps. No leaves, grass, small branches, sod, or brush. Please lay a tarp under material for ease of removal.
• ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT: DVD players, VCRs, stereo equipment, printers, copiers, fax machines, scanners, cellular phones and computer peripherals such as keyboards and mice. Computer monitors and televisions will not be accepted. You can recycle these items for free at other locations – see the E-Cycle box for more information.

Household Hazardous Wastes can be taken to the Household Hazardous Wastemobile or one of three household hazardous waste collection sites. Normandy Park and Burien residents may use the South Seattle Household Hazardous Waste Facility – 8105 5th Avenue South, Seattle. Open 9:30 am – 4:30 pm, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (except holidays). Volume restrictions apply.

Latex paint is no longer considered hazardous waste and the household hazardous waste facilities in King County (the Wastemobile, Factoria, and two Seattle sites) no longer accept it. Residents who cannot use up latex paint, please dry it out and put it in the garbage with the lid off. Visit the King County website www.kingcounty.gov/dnrp/swd for more information on how to dry out latex paint.

DON’T BRING:

• No Scrap Metal
• No construction/demolition debris
• No plastic toys, hoses, etc.
• No window glass
• These hazardous wastes:
• No oil based paint
• No pesticides/herbicides
• No household chemicals
• No cleaning products
• No fluorescent lights

For event information, call 206-248-7603 or visit www.govlink.org/hazwaste/house/disposal/ or call the Household Hazards Line Monday to Friday 9 am to 4:30 pm except holidays at 206-296-4692.

Appliances and scrap metals will not be collected at this event. Appliances and scrap metals will be collected at a similar event this fall. Washington now has a FREE recycling program called “E-Cycle Washington” for computers, computers monitors, laptops, and televisions. Call 1-800-RECYCLE or visit 1800recycle.wa.gov to find authorized E-Cycle Washington collection locations. In the Burien/Normandy Park area you may drop off computers, computers monitors, laptops, and televisions at no charge at the following E-Cycle Washington locations: Burien Goodwill Store (1031 SW 128th Street, Burien, WA 98146) and Salvation Army Burien Store (16033 1st Ave S, Burien, WA 98148). Please note – drop off locations may change. Quantities accepted are limited. Please also note that computer peripherals such as keyboards, mice, and printers are not included in this program but will be accepted at City Recycling Collection Events.

Rain Barrel & Compost Bin Sale:
To encourage the use of recycled content material and more efficient use of water, the cities of Burien and Normandy Park are offering recycled plastic rain barrels at a huge discount. In addition, start backyard composting with a compost bin to save resources and money. Composting is a natural process that turns yard waste into rich soil. Yard waste—grass, leaves, old flowers—contain mostly water. Once the material decomposes, rich soil is all that’s left.

$20 each. Cash only. While supplies last. No pre or post event sales.

King County’s “Wastemobile” will be making a major pickup stop at the Des Moines Marina the weekend of March 27th through 29th, and here are the details:

WHAT: Spring Hazardous Waste Recycling Event

WHEN: March 27-29 from 10am – 5pm

WHERE: Des Moines Marina, 22307 Dock Street in Des Moines (map below)

INFO: The Wastemobile is a free service to residents of King County. It travels to many communities to provide household hazardous waste disposal services for King County residents. Bring your household hazardous waste to the Wastemobile collection event in your area.

What happens to your hazardous waste:

• Corrosive Liquids: Such as drain cleaner, pool chemicals, etc. are neutralized at a treatment facility.
• Latex paint: Uncontaminated latex paint can be blended and tinted for reuse, then sold as new product. Latex paint that isn’t recyclable into new paint may be used as an additive in the manufacture of certain cement compounds.
• Lead acid batteries: Recycled at smelters in the US, reclaiming the lead.
• Mercury: Processed through retort and prepared for use in commercial applications.
• Oil-base paints, solvents and thinners: Blended into a fuel mixture for use at facilities such as cement kilns.
• Pesticides and poisons: Kept in their original containers or sealed in a bag if the container is rusty or leaking. Each container is nestled one-by-one into layers of absorbent granules inside steel drums. These wastes are incinerated or placed in a hazardous waste landfill.
• Used Motor Oil: Accepted at the Wastemobile or by private sector businesses is re-refined into new lubricating products or reused as fuel for ships and cement kilns.

WHAT TO BRING:

• Aerosols (if not empty), for others see below
• Automotive batteries
• Automotive products (oil, gasoline, antifreeze, brake fluid, etc.)
• Batteries (except alkaline)
• Fluorescent light bulbs
• Gasoline
• Glues and adhesives
• Household Cleaners (Ammonia, bleach)
• Hobby chemicals
• Oil-based paints
• Indoor & outdoor pesticides
• Products that contain mercury (Fluorescent lamps, thermometers, thermostats)
• Pool and Spa Supplies
• Propane tanks (5 gallon max)
• Road flares
• Thinners and solvents

WHAT NOT TO BRING:

• 55 gallon drums of household hazardous waste
• Call the Household Hazards Phone Line for a Waste Clearance: 206-296-4692
• Aerosols (empty): Aerosols include paints, pesticides, solvent cleaners, and oven cleaners. Low toxicity products that are typically used for beauty and hygiene uses (hair sprays, shaving creams, deoderant, etc.), and empty aerosol cans may be disposed of in the garbage.
• Alkaline batteries: Information on household batteries
• Biological wastes: Call the Household Hazards Phone Line at 206-296-4692
• Bullets, munitions, gunpowder, fireworks, etc.: Call your local non-emergency police number (DM: 206-878-3301 • NP: 206-248-7600 • Burien: 206-296-3333)
• Computers: Visit the Take it Back Network website
• Empty containers of any type: Treat as garbage, but see our information on gas cylinders
• Explosives: Call the Bomb Squad, 911
• Latex Paint (including latex paint stains): Dry it out and put it in the garbage with the lid off. Use one (1) part kitty litter to one (1) part latex paint or mix with a commercial paint hardener according to directions. Drying out latex paints and latex paint stains may vary depending on the product and time of year.
• Medical wastes (including sharps): See the Public Health information website
• Medications: Leave in the original container and place the container in a closed heavy duty ziplock bag. Place this bag in another plastic bag (so not conspicuous) and place it in the garbage can.
• Oil-contaminated soil: Call the Household Hazards Phone Line at 206-296-4692
• Paint brushes and empty paint cans: Treat as garbage (see above).
• Smoke detectors, radioactive wastes: Call the Household Hazards phone line at 206-296-4692
• Televisions: See the Public Health information website
• Tires: See the Public Health information website

Questions? Call the Household Hazards Phone Line at 206-296-4692.

For everyone’s safety, please remember these tips:

1. Don’t mix products.
2. Keep products in original containers.
3. Label products not in original containers.
4. Secure products so they won’t tip over or leak.
5. Secure the entire load in your vehicle or trailer. Vehicles arriving with unsecured loads at public or private transfer stations in King County can be charged an unsecured load fee. (King County Solid Waste Division)
6. Store products away from the passenger compartment of your vehicle and keep them separate from items you wish to retain.
7. Stay in your vehicle during unloading at the Wastemobile.
8. Site limits:

• For the Seattle facilities and the King County Wastemobile, there is a 30-gallon gasoline limit, and pre-approval is required for large quantities (over 50 gallons), containers over 5 gallons in size, and any unusual wastes. Contact the Household Hazards Line at (206) 296-4692, Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., except holidays, for disposal options and procedures.

DIRECTIONS:

Des Moines Marina is located at (see map below):

22307 Dock Street
Des Moines, WA 98198

From I-5 take the Kent-Des Moines Road exit, follow Hwy signs to Des Moines, west on South 227th Street down to the Marina. Site is located in the north parking lot.

If you have a Thomas Guide map, look on Page 684 J-6.

More information at the Wastemobile website.

View Larger Map

The State of Washington now has a new “E-Cycle” law that allows for FREE, convenient and environmentally-responsible recycling of computers, monitors, laptops and televisions, and a local company is open for drop-offs in Tukwila.

Drop-offs are being accepted at American Electronics Recycling Corporation offices, located at 18435 Olympic Ave. S. Suite B in Tukwila (map below).

• Hours are Mon – Sat from 8:30am – 3:00pm.
• They also offer a pickup service for a fee.
• Visit www.aercorprecycler.com for additional electronics that are accepted at this location.
• They are registered with the WA Dept. of Ecology, and are part of the “Take it Back” network for King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties.

Here’s more info from the State of Washington E-Cycle website:

Who can use the program?
Households, small businesses, schools & school districts, small governments, special purpose districts, and charities can recycle electronic products free of charge in this program.

What can I recycle for free?

• Televisions
• Computers
• Computer monitors
• Portable or laptop computers

Please note that computer peripherals such as keyboards, mice, and printers are not included in this program.

Why recycle electronics?
Many electronics, especially TVs and computers, contain toxic materials such as lead, cadmium and mercury. Reusing and recycling electronics keeps these toxic materials out of our landfills and incinerators and also recovers valuable resources. The electronic equipment this program collects will be taken apart and separated into materials such as glass, plastic, metal and toxic chemicals. All recycling will follow performance standards set up by the Department of Ecology.

To find other drop-off points near you, visit this website.

View Larger Map

Members of Boy Scout Troop #375 were busy Saturday, recycling Christmas trees for $5 donations in the parking lot of Herr Backyard Garden Center on SW 160th (map below).

They will be accepting more trees tomorrow (Sunday Jan. 4th) from 10am to 3pm.

Here are some photos of the gang in action:

Troop Chairman Ken DeVos, left, works with Dan Caven to prune tree branches from the trunk. The branches go into a truck (below) to be hauled to a recycling center. The trimmed trunks are then kept, stored and dried; they will be re-sold months from now to raise more funds for the troop.

Scarsella Brothers Construction generously donates use of a hauling truck to carry the tree branches away.

Paul Van Bronkhorst, former Scoutmaster, places trimmed tree trunks into his pickup. He’ll store them at his house, and in several months, sell them as firewood to raise more funds for the Troop.

According to the Des Moines Historical Society, Boy Scout Troop #375 was formed March 17, 1924 by Rev. Beatty, Scoutmaster, Rollin Case, and Franklin Lowery. In 1923 Rev. Cyrus Gilbert, a teacher at Sunnydale and Highline High School, had established a troop at Sunnydale.

Over the last year, ten Eagle Scouts have been awarded in Troop #375, which is an unusually high number. The Troop is currently sponsored by St. Francis of Assisi Church in Burien.

Those are some good kids doing good stuff for Burien, so show your support by bringing your tree up!

View Larger Map

Monday (Dec. 29th) will be the first garbage and recycling pickup day for a lot of Burien residents in two weeks, so get your containers out there, and remember – triple volume accepted!

Here’s the latest from Waste Management:

Residential service for Monday garbage customers and those scheduled for recycling and/or yard waste service today. If this is not a regular recycling or yard waste collection week, customers will need to wait for service until the week of Jan 5-9.

Double/triple volume accepted; Tips for Managing Extra Garbage & Recycling.

Please remove snow from on top of and around containers. If your street is still snowy, please move your containers to a more accessible location for service.

CONTACT INFO:

Email: info@wmnorthwest.com
Phone: 1-800-592-9995
Fax: 1-866-284-1337

City of Burien Garbage and Recycling Help Line: 206-933-0992

We’ve got ours out, neatly arranged in triplicate and ready to go…have you?

There will be NO garbage/recycling collection in Burien Saturday or Sunday (12/27-28), with up to triple amounts of stuff accepted during the next pickup.

Here’s the latest update from Waste Management (more info available at their website here):

Saturday, December 27, 8:00 AM: Unsafe road conditions have unfortunately required Waste Management to once again postpone residential curbside collection in Snohomish County and most of King County, including Burien, Renton, and all East King County areas.

No residential collection will be provided on Sunday, as previously reported. Waste Management needs to preserve driver time for long work hours next week as we clean up the accumulated material resulting from numerous collection delays.

King County residents outside the City of Seattle may take garbage and recycling to King County transfer stations, including:

• Bow Lake in Tukwila
• Enumclaw
• Renton
• Factoria
• Houghton
• Shoreline

Call 206-296-4466 or visit http://your.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/facilities/transfer.asp for addresses and hours.

Remove Snow Accumulation. To keep containers accessible, please remove snow and extra material from around or on top of them.

Clear Storm Drains to Prevent Street Flooding: As snow melts, water run-off can result in flooding, which further impedes collection. Please clear storm drains of snow and debris to prevent flooding.

Tips for Extra Material Storage and Set Out: Waste Management suggests that residents use the following options for storing and setting out extra materials:

Extra garbage: Place next to garbage container in:

• Securely tied plastic bags labeled “Garbage” or
• 32-gal can with handle and lid (65 lb limit) labeled “Garbage”

Extra recycling: Place next to recycling cart in:

• Plastic recycling bins or
• Cardboard boxes (2×2x2 ft. limit) labeled “Recycling”
• No recycling in plastic bags

Extra yard trimmings (No food scraps or plastic): Place next to yard cart in:

• Heavy paper yard bags (available at hardware stores) or
• Reusable polywoven yard bags (available at hardware stores) or
• 32-gal cans with handles & lids (65 lb limit) labeled “Yard” or

Bundles tied with sisal twine (4′x2′ limit)

Normandy Park residents who are fed up with having to store their own garbage and/or recycling can actually dispose of their stuff today (Wed. 12/24) between 9am and 3:30pm, if they can get out that is.

Here’s an update from Allied Waste/Republic Services:

Allied Waste/Republic Services Emergency Service Alternative for Normandy Park

In recognition that the extended inclement weather has created storage issues for garbage and recycle commodities, the Bellevue Division is offering a temporary solution:

Today Normandy Park has agreed to provide access to two community sites where residents who wish to utilize this opportunity to dispose of their recyclables and garbage may do so. These sites are cleared of snow and will allow Allied Waste /Republic Services to spot attended vehicles so residents can dispose of household recyclables and garbage.

• This service will be available from 9 AM till 3:30 PM, Tuesday Wed., December 24, 2008
• One vehicle will collect garbage only and another will collect recycle only
• Waste Service employees will monitor for contamination and customer compliance

Site 1 is the loop drive and parking lot area in front of City Hall, just off of SW 174th where we placed the container after the windstorm two years ago.

Site 2 is the parking lot at Marvista Park next to the Public Works shop at 19900 4th Avenue SW.

3:30pm 12/23/08 UPDATE: As of 3pm, the National Weather Service released this Winter Storm Advisory – 2 to 4 inches of snow are expected Wed. Dec. 24th, with a transition to rain also:

… Winter Weather Advisory in effect from midnight tonight to 4 am PST Thursday…

The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for snow… which is in effect from midnight tonight to 4 am PST Thursday. This upgrades the Winter Storm Watch which had been in effect.

Snow is expected to begin after midnight tonight and continue through Wednesday morning. The snow will be light at first but then increase its intensity on Wednesday morning. Late on Wednesday morning or early in the afternoon… locations below 500 to 1000 feet will transition to a cold rain… while higher hills continue with snow through Wednesday afternoon.

Snowfall totals of 2 to 4 inches are expected. Significantly higher amounts are possible on hills above 500 to 1000 feet or anywhere that precipitation might continue as snow through the afternoon and evening.

Snow showers could bring additional accumulations on Christmas day.

Precautionary/preparedness actions…

A Winter Weather Advisory for snow means that periods of snow will cause primarily travel difficulties. Be prepared for snow covered roads and limited visibilities… and use caution while driving.

Also, this update about garbage collection in Normandy Park:

Garbage Collection
Allied Waste has not been able to collect residential garbage and recycling due to road conditions. City staff and Allied Waste have arranged for residential drop off services at two locations in Normandy Park.

Residential customers will have access to collection vehicles/containers for residential garbage and recyclables on Wednesday, December 24th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the locations below:

City Hall Parking Lot – 801 S.W. 174th Street

and

Marvista Park Parking Lot – 19900 4th Avenue S.W.

Regular collection services will resume when road conditions improve and collection vehicles are able to safely operate on residential streets.

11:15am 12/23/08 UPDATE: Looks like another snow storm is coming tonight (Tues. 12/23), with up to six more inches of snow predicted to fall overnight.

Perhaps we will indeed have a “White Christmas” after all?

AREA UPDATES:

• City Hall and the Parks office will be open today until 2pm.
• Burien Parks and Recreation programs are cancelled for today.
• No garbage/recycling pickup today (more details here).
• Road crews continue to plow and sand streets starting with main arterials and moving to secondary streets when they are able.  More details about priority routes can be found on our Snow & Ice Routes Map [PDF].  Please drive with extreme caution and only if necessary.

WEATHER UPDATE:

Here’s the latest Winter Storm Watch from the National Weather Service:

… Winter Storm Watch in effect from late tonight through Wednesday evening…

The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued a Winter Storm Watch… which is in effect from late tonight through Wednesday evening.

Another low pressure system is expected to drop southeast into the Pacific northwest late tonight into Wednesday. A relatively cold air mass will be in place ahead of this system. With the cold air in place… up to another six inches of new snow is possible by Wednesday evening with the snow beginning sometime late tonight. As the system moves through… the low level wind flow will become southwesterly. This should warm up the air mass enough to change the precipitation from snow to rain. This transition is expected to occur Wednesday afternoon but there is plenty of uncertainty surrounding the timing of this transition if it even occurs at all.

Precautionary/preparedness actions…

A Winter Storm Watch means conditions are favorable for severe winter weather. If you must travel in the watch area… carry an extra flashlight… food… water… and blankets in case of emergency.

Live webcam view from Sea-Tac Airport.
Refresh page to get latest image.

Also, according to the Port of Seattle, Sea-Tac Airport’s stranded travelers are starting to clear out, which must be a relief for everyone who got stuck there.

A local tech Writer named John Cook got stranded at Sea-Tac for seven hours, and here’s a snippet from his blog:

Seven hours.

That’s how long my fellow passengers and I spent waiting on the airport tarmac Sunday as an uncharacteristic winter blast brought SeaTac airport to a grinding halt.

Here’s a link to his interesting first-hand account.

And here’s an update from the Port on the current airport conditions:

The airport is open and the runways are clear for operations. The situation is improving, but there are still flight cancellations and delays. Please check with your airline before starting for the airport. You can also check your flight status online (http://hosting.portseattle.org/fids/FlightInfo.aspx) on the Port’s Web site or via text messaging.

If your scheduled flight is canceled, rebook travel over the Internet or over the phone; do not come to the airport. Long lines at the ticket counters make it more efficient and quicker to rebook off-site.

If a scheduled flight is planned to depart, allow extra travel time to the airport to accommodate challenging regional road conditions and lines at ticket counters and security checkpoints. Plan to arrive at the airport two hours before departure time. It’s a good idea to bring necessary items (diapers, snacks, etc.) in case there are delays and/or long wait times. Airport concessions are open, stocked and prepared to serve.

The airport is continuing to provide volunteer staff in the terminal to assist passengers, answer questions, and assist with line control / crowd control issues.

Just got some info from Jenn Ramirez-Robson of the City of Burien, who forwards us this update from Waste Management on Burien-area garbage and recycling pickup (missed again today but scheduled for another try next week, when you can put out TRIPLE the amount of garbage and recycling as usual):

Monday, December 22 – Due to inclement weather, Waste Management has cancelled collection services for their customers in King, Snohomish, Kitsap and Skagit Counties.

Please note that our call center will not be open until it’s safe for our employees to return to the office.

For the most up to date status of your service we urge you to go to our website: www.wmnorthwest.com/weatherboard.html.

Residential customers: Twice the regular amount of garbage, recycling and/or yard waste will be accepted at no additional charge on the next regularly scheduled collection day for each container. If your next regularly scheduled collection falls on a holiday, Waste Management will collect the following day. For example, due to Christmas, this week’s Thursday customers will be serviced on Friday and Friday customers will be serviced on Saturday.

Residential customers in the City of Seattle: If inclement weather causes missed collections for one day, missed customers will be picked up the following day and all other residential collection will be pushed back one day. If two consecutive collection days are cancelled due to inclement weather, customers may set out a double load on their next scheduled collection day.

Commercial customers. Priority service is given to locations such as hospitals and restaurants where public health is a high priority. All other commercial customers will be serviced as soon as conditions allow for safe collection.

Waste Management is committed to providing reliable collection for all customers. However, in the event that circumstances such as unsafe roads interfere with service schedules, we appreciate customer understanding and cooperation as we manage collection on emergency scheduling.

Waste Management customers are strongly encourages to visit our website for up-to-the-minute collection updates www.wmnorthwest.com/weatherboard.html.

If garbage is missed twice, residents may put out three times as much on the third scheduled collection day.  We certainly will do all we can to keep that eventuality to a minimum!

We are also using outdial phone calls to help keep residents as well informed as possible.

Reminders about how to package extras:

If recycling or yard waste is regularly collected every other week, the missed material will be collected on the next scheduled day for that container (two weeks from the missed collection), unless residents are otherwise notified by telephone or on this site.

Extra garbage: Place next to garbage container in:

• Securely tied plastic bags labeled “Garbage” or
• 32-gal can with handle and lid (65 lb limit) labeled “Garbage”

Extra recycling: Place next to recycling cart in:

• Plastic recycling bins or
• Cardboard boxes (2×2x2 ft. limit) labeled “Recycling”
• No recycling in plastic bags

Extra yard trimmings (No food scraps or plastic): Place next to yard cart in:

• Heavy paper yard bags (available at hardware stores) or
• Reusable polywoven yard bags (available at hardware stores) or
• 32-gal cans with handles & lids (65 lb limit) labeled “Yard” or
• Bundles tied with sisal twine (4′x2′ limit)

Save this image to your hard drive.

Print it out.

Because soon you won’t be seeing this waste of paper products and plastic bags.

Does anyone even use a phone book anymore? I know when my house gets these things, I dump their 3-5lb. hulks straight into the recycling bin.

According to various sources:

The Yellow Pages industry distributed 540 million printed directories this year.

That’s more than one per person.

With the Internet available literally in our hands, is this acceptable?

Like the printed encyclopedia, the obsolescence of the printed Yellow Pages is inevitable. However, considering that in the U.S., 97% of this $14 billion industry is derived from their print division alone, these mammoth media dinosaurs will hold on for as long as possible.

Then, once you savor this soon-to-be-gone vision, do us all a favor by:

• Sign this petition asking to have the choice to opt-out of getting another phone book again
• Go around your own neighborhood, pick these wasteful clunks up and recycle them
• Or…use your phone book paper as mulch and food for all those wonderful decomposer creatures (earwigs, potato bugs, beetles, etc.) that most certainly live in your garden. Our favorite thing to do is rip out specific pages of companies that we don’t like and use those to feed the lil’ buggers…

Got waste?

Then get your environmentally-aware self (along with your waste) on down to the King County Wastemobile, which will be parked at the Criminal Justice Training Center Oct. 10-12.

The Wastemobile will be open for business from 10am – 5pm both days in the parking lot of the center, located at 19010 First Avenue South (map below).

Operated by King County as part of the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program, the Wastemobile offers King County residents the ability to drop off hazardous household waste items, including:

• Pesticides
• Chlorine bleach
• Oil-based paints
• Automotive products (oil, antifreeze, auto batteries, etc.)
• Fluorescent bulbs/ballasts
• And other items

All free of charge!

By properly disposing of these materials and keeping them out of drains and landfills, King County residents are helping safeguard the environment.

Please note that latex paint is no longer accepted during household hazardous waste collection events. Research has shown that dried or solidified latex paint can be safely disposed in the regular garbage.

Created in 1989, the Wastemobile was the first program of its kind in the nation. In its 18 years in operation, the program collected more than 14,771 tons of household hazardous waste from nearly 330,000 customers.

For more information, including acceptable materials, quantity limits and how to properly dispose of latex paint at home, call the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program’s Hazards Line at 206-296-4692, Monday through Friday between 9am and 4:30pm, except holidays. Recorded information is available after hours.

Full details are available on the Wastemobile Web Site at www.govlink.org/hazwaste/house/disposal/wastemobile/index.html.

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The Normandy Park and Burien Fall Recycling Event and Rain Barrel Sale is scheduled for this Saturday, Sept. 20th from 9am – 3pm at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center, which is located at 19010 First Avenue South (map below).

At this event you can safely dispose of numerous unwanted materials (click here to view PDF of event flyer for full list), some for free, others for a small fee.

Funding for this event is provided by The King County Solid Waste Division, The WA State Department of Ecology, and the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County.

The City of Normandy Park would also like to thank Waste Management and Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center for their services.

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The Normandy Park & Burien Recycling Collection Event and Bin Sale is scheduled for this Saturday, May 10th, from 9am-3pm at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center, 19010 1st Ave. S., Normandy Park (see map below).

To encourage the use of recycled content material and more efficient use of water, the cities of Normandy Park and Burien are offering recycled plastic rain barrels and compost bins at a huge discount.

Here’s what’s being accepted for recycling at this event, along with subsequent fees for each:

• LEAD ACID BATTERIES: Car, truck, marine, and motorcycle batteries accepted.
• ALKALINE BATTERIES: AAAA, AAA, AA, A, B, C, and D cell batteries only.
• CARDBOARD: Please flatten. No wax coated cardboard.
• REUSABLE HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND CLOTHING: Clothing and miscellaneous household items in good condition will be collected by Seattle Goodwill. Mattresses and furniture will not be accepted. Items in need of repair will not be accepted.
• PORCELAIN TOILETS AND SINKS: $5 charge (cash only). Toilet seats, hardware, and base wax rings must be removed.
• PROPANE TANKS: Residential tanks only. $5 charge (cash only).
• CLEAN SCRAP WOOD: Includes milled wood, plywood, pallets, and other untreated and unpainted wood. No peg board, particle, or press board.
• BULKY WOOD: Includes large tree branches (minimum 6 inches in diameter), logs, and stumps. No leaves, grass, small branches, sod, or brush. Please lay a tarp under material for ease of removal.
• ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT: Computers, printers, mouse, keyboards, fax machines, scanners,and cellular phones. Equipment will be recycled as metal. Computer monitors will be collected for $10 each (cash only).
• TELEVISION SETS: TV sets with 36 inch or smaller screens and encased in plastic – $20 charge (cash only).TV sets with larger than 36 inch screens, wood console, sets encased in wood, and big screen TV sets – $25 charge (cash only). Projection TV sets – $30 charge (cash only).
• TIRES: Bias ply, steel belted, and studded tires accepted. Limit 6 passenger tires per household (18 inches and below) free of charge.  $1.50 charge for each tire on a rim.  $5 charged for each large truck tire and $15 charged for each truck tire on rim (cash only). No oversized tires accepted.
• MOTOR OIL, FILTERS, & ANTIFREEZE: Motor oil, oil filters, antifreeze, brake fluid, transmission fluid, 2-cycle oil, steering fluid, crankcase oil, kerosene, and home heating fuel. Do not mix with antifreeze, solvents, gasoline, or other substances.

If you don’t see it on the list above, it’s likely not being accepted at this event, but feel free to call and confirm at (206) 248-7603.

WHAT: Normandy Park & Burien Recycling Collection Event

WHEN: Saturday, May 10th from 9am to 3pm

WHERE: Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center, 19010 1st Ave. South, Normandy Park

INFO: For more event information, call (206) 248-7603

For more information about volume restrictions and other household hazardous waste disposal options visit http://www.govlink.org/hazwaste/house/disposal/ or call the Household Hazards Line Monday to Friday 9 am to 4:30 pm (except holidays) at (206) 296-4692.

Please note that appliances and scrap metals will NOT be collected at this event, but will be collected at a similar event this fall.

For all the details, download a PDF here.

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