| HeraldNet - Snohomish County's online news source |
 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2010 2:56 pm |
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Local News 
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Garbage sorting: a dirty job, but Snohomish County wants to do it There's a plan this year to take a magnifying glass to the garbage that residents and businesses send to Snohomish County transfer stations.Today, the County Council plans to discuss a proposed $105,000 contract for a yearlong effort to dig through, sort and weigh garbage in the county's waste stream. "The average person might not think rummaging through garbage is one of the best jobs they might have," county Solid Waste director Sam Chandler said. "We love it, though." It's been 10 years since the county last rifled through garbage to study what is thrown away and how much, Chandler said. Knowing what is going to landfills helps officials find ways to steer more items to recycling and improve recycling education campaigns. That especially includes a new government focus on televisions and electronic waste, he said. If approved, the county will hire a contractor to spend a year intermittently sorting through garbage brought into transfer stations. Garbage and recycling collected curbside won't be studied, Chandler said. Officials hope to find examples of businesses that are dumping valuable and recyclable clean wood or plastic, Chandler said. That translates into more money for the county and keeps garbage rates from climbing more steeply, he said. The job won't be too gross, Chandler said. "It's a lot of fun," he said. "I'm a garbage guy, though. You run into an occasional diaper, but you try not to focus on that too much. You focus on good, dry, easy-to-sort stuff." Lots of people compost their food waste, or put it in with their yard waste, Chandler said. "We've taken some of the 'ick' factor out of it," he said. "That's why our stations really don't smell too much anymore." A briefing on the contract is planned by the County Council's public works and transportation committee plans today at 1:30 p.m. in the eighth floor council chambers at 3000 Rockefeller Ave., Everett. |
- A revolutionary 747
- Fire breaks out at Everett car dealer
- Everett rethinks boutique wineries
- A tidy lawn could be law in Lynnwood
- Snohomish County's bargain housing won't last
- Boeing's 747-8 takes off after weather delay
- Plan for I-5 closures this week
- A new bowling alley for Monroe?
- Lake Stevens man homeless after fire
- I-5 bridge joint may give you a jolt, but it isn't damaged
- Vote on school levies by Tuesday
(11) - A tidy lawn could be law in Lynnwood (10)
- Everett police officers cleared in 2008 shooting death (5)
- 1949 travel aid shows how few places blacks were welcome in Washington (4)
- I-5 bridge joint may give you a jolt, but it isn't damaged (4)
- Everett rethinks boutique wineries (4)
- County archive software paid for but waiting for set-up (3)
- Lynnwood sets height limit on grass: 8 inches (3)
- Three politicians who want Gregoire's job in 2012 (3)
- Toyota has powerful D.C. friends (3)
- Edmonds educator, famous announcer dies
- Mill Creek to appeal ruling on annexation
- Through the air, with the greatest of ease
- E-W thriving under new coach
- The path to citizenship
- EUUC puts on ‘Pants & Shoes’
- Wolfpack wins the ‘Battle'
- Lynnwood’s annexation plans OK’d
- Arlington's Cascade Valley Hospital celebrates expansion, national award and 100 years of service
- Business Licences Feb. 2010
- Technology tips for launching your own business
- Business Events Feb. 2010
- Tech Talk: No excuse today for going without a Web site
- State already raising fees and rates that restrict business growth
- Some legislators again targeting people’s initiative petition rights
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