Trash and Recycling impact the environment and your community. Check out our handy recycling sheet for tips on sorting what goes in the compost, garbage and recycling bins! Item not on the list, no problem! Check out this cool searchable recycling portal for Whatcom County.
Prevent accidental littering
Receptacles that are too full or that can get blown over by the wind or accessed by birds can cause waste to be strewn all over your neighborhood. Be kind to your neighbors and the environment by securing your waste properly.
Clean up your yard
After a party or a windstorm take a moment to gather and throw out any items left in the yard. If someone leaves furniture or other items in your yard, its your responsibility to clean it up. You can get a littering ticket for garbage on your property even if it’s not your own stuff. We know, its not fair!
Put your bins away
Bellingham Municipal Code states that garbage containers should be located off of any public street, alley, sidewalk, or other public place except at or about the time of collection. Here are some Recycling Tips from SSC
Moving out properly
If you move out and you leave furniture or refuse on or beside your property, you will end up getting charged for it’s removal. Make sure you find new homes for your stuff or make a trip to the dump BEFORE you give back your keys and vacate the property/rental. Abandoned furniture can attract vermin and leaches toxic chemicals, so make sure you dispose of that old couch properly. Getting Rid of Stuff Info Sheet
Composting
Composting is an additional fee, and does not come included with Garbage and Recycling bins. However, it can save you money in terms of space in your garbage and as an added bonus helps the environment!
Are you interested in compost collection at your house?
Sanitary Service Company offers compost collection for both houses and multifamily buildings through their FoodPlus! program.
The FoodPlus! program is an easy way to compost not only food waste, but also pizza boxes, yard debris, and food soiled paper products. Organics from homes and businesses make up 29% of the waste in Washington’s landfills. This means what could be turned back into soil is taking up space in a landfills and releasing toxic gases such as methane into the atmosphere. Do your part and prevent food waste from going to a landfill!
Steps to get compost collection at your house
- If you pay for your own waste collection it is a quick and easy call! Contact Sanitary Service Company at (360) 734-3490. Ask them to add FoodPlus! to your account and drop your trash pickup to every other week. This should be a total of about $27 a month, saving yourself $4.60 a month.
- If your landlord manages your waste, send a email/letter asking to add FoodPlus! sample-letter
- Know what you can put into your FoodPlus! Bin. Check out what you can put into your FoodPlus! Bin
Get support from Sustainable Connections on making the transition to composting in your home. Check out the resources here!
Other Recycling Resources
The City recycling program (SSC) takes lots of items you might not expect but there are other resources for recycling things that SSC doesn’t take. Check out their list of how and where to recycle almost anything. Also, check out Ridwell, they pick up lightbulbs, batteries, soft plastics and clothing and fabrics from your porch.