Twice a year, in the fall and the spring, the city of Mercer Island hosts a recycling collection event. Residents can drop off qualifying unwanted materials to be recycled.
Although many events have been canceled lately due to COVID-19 (coronavirus) concerns, the upcoming recycling event is still scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 28 at Luther Burbank Park as of March 6.
“We know that up to 700 residents attend this popular event twice a year, and we’re hoping that it won’t have to be canceled,” said Ross Freeman, the city’s sustainability and communications manager.
Freeman said the city had so far only been canceling major meetings through March 20, per the guidance of Public Health – Seattle & King County.
He said a large amount of recyclable material is collected each spring and fall. During the 2019 spring event, 53,355 pounds of discarded material was collected. Nearly 50,000 pounds of recycling was collected in the fall.
The event also doubles as a drive for Mercer Island Youth and Family Services and the city’s Food Pantry. Last year 81 bags of non-perishable grocery items were donated as well as more than $2,000.
As an opportunity to safely dispose of old appliances, equipment, electronics and other items, the event is a city sustainability initiative. Funding for the event comes from the state Department of Ecology, King County Solid Waste Division, and the Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County.
Acceptable items include tires, batteries, cardboard, clothing, porcelain toilets and sinks, propane tanks, appliances, electronics, mattresses, styrofoam and confidential material to be shredded. Unacceptable items include computers, monitors, televisions, wood, garbage, furniture, plastic toys, hoses, window glass, chemicals, light bulbs, paint, chemicals, cleaning supplies, and motor oil.
For more information about the event and the full list of items accepted, go online to the city’s website at http://www.mercergov.org/Page.asp?NavID=3217.
Updated information on city event cancellations can also be found online at http://www.mercergov.org/News.asp?NewsID=2535.
