Beginning Feb. 1, 2012, free Recyclables Service is closing at most King County Transfer Stations. These materials will no longer be accepted for recycling at King County‘s Cedar Falls, Enumclaw, Houghton, Renton, and Shoreline facilities: aluminum cans; cardboard; glass bottles and jars; mixed paper; newspaper; plastic bottles, tubs and jugs; and tin cans. Their FAQ Sheet may be viewed here:
Most cities include recyclables pick-up at no cost with your curbside garbage pick-up, except Skykomish, Snoqualime Pass and Vashon communities, whose residents may still take their recyclables to their local transfer stations.
We were curious what happens if you have more recyclables than will fit in the curbside pick-up recycling cart, such as after a move when you have lots of boxes and packing paper you don’t wish to keep. We confirmed with both Waste Management by telephone and with the City of Renton curbside recycling page on their website that there is no limit to the amount of clean recycling you can set out for collection. Put recycling that doesn’t fit in your cart in recycling bins, cardboard boxes (limit 2′x2′x2′), or a 32-gallon can with handles marked “recycling.” Check with your city of residence and garbage pick-up service for their policies.
Of course, it will take you some time to cut up your used moving boxes into 2′x2′x2′ pieces, but that is the requirement for having them picked up curbside at no cost.
Seamless Moves offers removal of moving boxes and packing materials to our unpacking clients, but what are alternatives for the moving do-it-yourselfer?
You may take clean, used cardboard and paper to a recycling center such as SeaDruNar Recycling in Seattle who pay you a small amount for them or 1 Green Planet in Renton who accept these and many other items (appliances, electronics, scrap metal, etc.) at no cost to you.
If you would rather have someone pick them up for you, we recommend Rubbish Works. Owner John Davies says, “Rubbish Works can help with any type of recycling services. Our two-man crews will show up on site and take co-mingled recycling – metal, cardboard, plastic, etc. We then distribute it to the proper recycling center.” Rates depend upon the amount you have them pick up.
OR: Skip the cardboard altogether and use Frogboxes!
Each Friday we feature homes for sale by our clients and/or Realtor partners as a way to add value to their Seamless Moves moving experience. Enjoy!
