Courtesy photo
Executive Director Amanda Miller, left, and Founder Jeanette Jurgensen accepting their award from the Washington State Recycling Association on May 17.

Courtesy photo Executive Director Amanda Miller, left, and Founder Jeanette Jurgensen accepting their award from the Washington State Recycling Association on May 17.

South King Tool Library earns Recycler of the Year honors

The South King Tool Library was recently named the nonprofit Recycler of the Year by the Washington State Recycling Association.

Federal Way’s local nonprofit tool library, South King Tool Library (SKTL), was presented with the 2022 Washington State Recycling Association Non-Profit of the Year Award at the annual recycling conference on May 17 at Semiahmoo Resort in Blaine, Washington.

SKTL’s Executive Director Amanda Miller and Founder Jeanette Jurgensen accepted the award.

“We are honored to be recognized for our work in the community. People may not think of us as a recycling resource, but we participate in all three R’s: reduce, reuse and recycle, and help foster a circular economy,” Miller said.

Similar to a regular library, the tool library allows people to check out a variety of tools for repair and maintenance projects such as pressure washers, chops saws, tillers, and other infrequently used items.

SKTL provides free access to tools and equipment, offers training and education, coordinates repair events, manages clothing and game swaps, and hosts small-scale recycling events. Low-income and under-served populations are the focus of efforts promoting waste reduction, reduced consumption, and improvements to quality of life.

During the pandemic, the SKTL completed construction on its used cargo shipping container building and opened its doors to the public. In the last 18 months, the tool library has collectively diverted over 70 tons from the landfill and over 12 tons of carbon emissions, according to the organization.

SKTL receives funding from the City of Federal Way, Washington Department of Ecology, and EPA Region 10 in order to offer all services to the community at no charge.

Previously, the tool library was awarded the 2020 King County Green Globe Award for Leaders in Waste Reduction and the 2021 Greater Federal Way Chamber of Commerce Community Impact Award.

For more information on South King Tool Library or to volunteer, visit SouthKingTools.org, email info@southkingtools.org, or call 253-237-2290.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

King County Crime Dive podcast.
2 injured in shootout; man stabbed in tent | King County Crime Dive

In this episode, we take a closer look at a shootout in Auburn, a stabbing in a wooded area in Renton, and a smash-and-grab burglary in Federal Way.

Inside the SCORE jail, 20817 17th Ave. S., Des Moines. (File photo)
King County will no longer house inmates at SCORE jail

The cities of Renton, Auburn, Burien, Des Moines, SeaTac and Tukwila own the facility

King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn (File photo)
King County Councilmember calls for audit of juvenile diversion programs

Reagan Dunn says the program lacks transparency and accountability measures.

t
Kent Police Blotter: Sept. 11-24

Incidents include multiple store robberies, carjacking, 5 shot at Airbnb party

Screenshot of SUDORS from Dept. of Health website
Dept. of Health launches dashboard to track overdose death data

DOH aims to help communities better understand overdose deaths, make informed prevention decisions

A red-light camera sign at Pacific Highway South and Kent Des Moines Road, one of six intersections where the city of Kent has had cameras since 2019. COURTESY FILE PHOTO, Kent Police
Kent to activate red-light cameras at another intersection

Cameras installed at 108th Avenue SE and SE 208th Street in Panther Lake

File photo.
Dept. of Commerce awards $35.4 million for solar power projects across the state

Projects across King County were awarded millions in collective funding.

Fall City branch of the King County Library System. Courtesy photo
King County Library System receives grant to develop a climate action plan

The National Endowment for the Humanities gave a $133,252 grant to help develop climate initiatives.

t
Slow, swerving driver in Kent leads to DUI arrest by police

Auburn woman, 55, eventually stopped by officers trying to enter Highway 167

Most Read