Start the new year with a refreshed effort to recycle or compost at your business. In the first six months of 2021, the City of Issaquah is offering extra recycling support to businesses. At no cost your business can receive technical assistance, recycling/compost posters, indoor bins to collect compostables and recyclables, and virtual or in-person training for staff, all designed to help you increase your recycling, potentially lower your garbage costs, and get some well-deserved recognition. Contact the City of Issaquah at 425-837-3408 or by email and learn more from Issaquah’s Recycling webpage.
Issaquah businesses recycle right! Collectively our business community keeps literally tons of waste out of the landfill, and sends recyclables to be processed, marketed, and manufactured into valuable raw materials used to make new products.
Below are some easy tips and guidelines for your business. Remember, the City is available to assist you, at no cost, to improve your recycling, address any waste issues, provide signage and bins, and offer virtual and in-person trainings.
- When in doubt, throw it out. Avoid contaminating recycling with non-recyclable items like plastic film (including garbage bags), textiles, or styrofoam. If your business generates items that can’t be easily recycled, call or email our staff to find out if there are options for keeping them out of your costly garbage.
- Clean, empty, dry. Food debris, oily residue, and liquids don’t belong in the recycling! Recyclables that aren’t clean are better off in the garbage to avoid contaminating the bin. And remember, keep your dumpster lids closed; no one can use soggy recyclables. If there are leaks or holes in the bin, contact your waste hauler for a replacement.
- Keep recyclables loose, do not bag them - Bags don’t belong in the recycling, and they gum up the works at the recycling center.
- Tell your team! When managers and co-workers talk about recycling, it’s a signal to care about it, to pay attention, and to sort recyclables well. Every person’s actions matter - it takes just one person to spoil a clean batch of recycling.
- Close the Loop. Remember to close the recycling loop by purchasing recycled content materials like printing paper, packaging materials, file folders, toilet paper and paper towels, sticky notes, and more.