Kent’s new garbage and recycling program begins April 1

Kent’s new contract with Allied Waste Services of Kent for garbage and recycling service is designed to boost the recycling rate and save the city money on disposal fees.

Here are some of the changes that will transform the way residents deal with their waste and recyclables, along with a few helpful tips as provided by Tom Watson, who manages the EcoConsumer public education program for the King County Solid Waste Division:

• The blue cart for recycling, and the green cart for yard waste and food scraps, are included in the garbage rate at no additional cost. The new system features all rolling carts. No longer will you have to drag your garbage can down the driveway or risk messing up your back lifting a heavy can.

• New items you can put in the recycling cart include – plastic bags and stretch wrap, bagged up in a knotted bag-of-bags; aluminum foil and foil trays; paper and plastic cups; plastic lids three inches across or larger; plastic take-out containers and other food trays; and plastic plant pots. These are in addition to all the standard items you’ve already been tossing in the recycling bin.

• Tip – all recyclable items should be relatively clean before you put them in the cart. But you don’t have to go crazy. Just give them a quick rinse with water, or wipe them out with a rag.

• You have more choices for service and lower costs for most residents – six different sizes to choose from for your garbage cart alone. If you didn’t choose a new cart size before the Jan. 31 deadline, you’ll automatically get the same cart sizes you currently have, but you’ll have the chance to change sizes once before April 1, 2012, at no additional charge.

• In your green cart, you can now put in all these organic materials – yard waste, including branches, leaves and grass clippings; food scraps, including  meat, fish, bones; dairy products; and food-soiled paper, such as paper towels, napkins and pizza boxes.

• Tip – to make compost for your garden, set up a home composting bin. Learn about composting at your.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/composting. Many folks use their leaves and grass clippings to make their own compost, and they put all their weeds, large branches and food waste in the green cart.

Kent will host its annual Composter & Rainbarrel Sale at 9 a.m. March 26 at Russell Road Park. These sell out quickly, so don’t be late. Since this sale is for Kent residents only, bring proof of residency.

For more information go to www.AlliedWasteKent.com or call 206-682-9735 (single-family residential customers) or 253-872-7220 (multi-family and commercial customers).