  |
|
|
Department of Ecology News Release - July 24, 2008
08-204
YAKIMA – The Department of Ecology wants to be sure event planners know that beverage containers must now be recycled at official events and sporting venues under a state law that took effect last year.
The law states that "in communities where there is an established curbside service and where recycling service is available to businesses, a recycling program must be provided at every official gathering and at every sport facility by the vendors who sell beverages in single-use aluminum, glass or plastic bottles or cans"
In Central Washington, the law applies to vendors at events in the cities of Ellensburg, Yakima, Selah, Moxee, Union Gap, Wapato and Kennewick, as well as in Klickitat County and in select areas of Douglas and Chelan counties.
Beverage vendors are responsible for providing and funding the recycling program. A recycling program must include and provide:
"Word seems to be slow getting out about these new recycling requirements," explained Chris Piercy, with the Department of Ecology's Solid Waste Program in Yakima. "Event coordinators are encouraged to include recycling as a part of their contracts with vendors, and when doing so identify the number of recycling bins needed for an event, and who will be responsible for emptying the recycling bins and making sure janitors and cleaning staff are up to speed on the program"
More tips are available online at: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/0807016.html
Portable recycling bins and other resources may be available through local county solid waste programs. Yakima and Benton counties are currently providing recycling containers to groups free of charge for public event recycling.
For more information, contact:
###
Media Contact:
Joye Redfield-Wilder, media relations, 509- 575-2610;
jred461@ecy.wa.gov
Chris Piercy, Ecology Solid Waste and Financial Assistance Program,
509-454-7863: chrp461@ecy.wa.gov
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
