Thurston County solid‑waste staff outline recycling, compost and reuse plans and set May 16 compost giveaway

Thurston County public‑works recycling staff on April 2 told the Solid Waste Advisory Committee they are expanding outreach and events while managing staffing gaps.

Public‑works lead Rob Putner summarized program work including an eight‑event community presentation series, ongoing mailed recycling/organics guides sent to roughly 34,000 residential households, and a third annual compost giveaway scheduled for Saturday, May 16 at the Thurston County Fairgrounds. "We outgrew our previous location," Putner said, adding the county doubled the amount of compost this year and will accept up to a half cubic yard per vehicle; the donated material will be delivered by Brady Trucking.

The presentation covered several ongoing pilots and services. Staff reported early results from a bike‑rescue pilot that began last July: about 356 donated bikes at the mid‑point of the year and a roughly 30% diversion rate (about 15% meeting the Walk and Roll donation criteria and another 15% diverted to a Tacoma reuse partner). Putner also described multifamily contamination work — signage, in‑unit tote bags printed with recycling guides and other on‑site tools — but said that work is paused until vacant outreach positions are filled.

Maggie Brown, who oversees commercial and internal government programs, described the launch of a business‑to‑business reuse marketplace called Washington Reuses aimed at connecting large‑quantity materials between businesses. Brown also outlined steps to help businesses comply with statewide organics management requirements; she noted the threshold that triggers required organics service is the equivalent of a 96‑gallon cart per week.

Staff said the county has used mailers and an online "Where do I take my…" search tool to drive public use of recycling information. Putner noted the county won a National Association of Counties achievement award for its volunteer category work last year and was featured in NACo’s December newsletter.

The committee asked about schools and youth outreach; April Row, the county’s schools and youth educator, described classroom lessons on organics and circular economy for 4th–5th graders, partnerships with Salish Roots Farm and the Squaxin Island Tribe, and teacher training plans.

Jeff (staff) closed the report noting the division is recruiting for multiple positions, including an education/outreach specialist and a replacement solid‑waste manager, and that some projects are paused until staffing is restored.

The committee had no formal votes tied to the program updates; staff were directed to continue outreach and to share event sign‑up details. The meeting adjourned at 12:30 p.m.