FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Suzanne Tresko
Recycling Coordinator
625-6529
stresko@spokanecity.org
2010 Spokane County Recycling Rate Exceeds State Rate
Efforts to increase recycling are paying off in Spokane County. According to final figures from the Spokane Regional Solid Waste System (SRSWS) and the Washington State Department of Ecology, Spokane County residents recycled 331,793 tons or 51 percent of the 646,149 tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) generated in 2010. This local rate exceeds the state rate of 49 percent.
The SRSWS credits the 2010 increase to improved customer service, a more focused approach to recycling education and increased collaboration between private recyclers, haulers, government, businesses and residents throughout the County.
“This really is about people making a conscious effort to recycle more and generate less garbage,” says Russ Menke, Director of the Spokane Regional Solid Waste System. “Educating a community on the benefits of recycling and providing the structure to do it is important — but the success of the program depends on actual participation. The people of Spokane County are participating and should be very proud of their efforts.”
Washington State Department of Ecology has been tracking statistics on the MSW recycling rate for more than 20 years. The first recycling rate for Spokane County posted in 1987 was 20 percent.
For more information about recycling in Spokane County, call the Recycling Hotline at 625-6800, or visitwww.talktrashspokane.com . Additional information on state recycling rates can be found at www.ecy.wa.gov.
The Spokane Regional Solid Waste System provides Spokane County residents with recycling and disposal services that strive to be cost effective, efficient and environmentally appropriate. The SRSWS also provides regional waste reduction and recycling education programs and operates the Waste to Energy Facility, the North County Transfer Station and the Valley Transfer Station.
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