One person really can make a difference.
Longtime resident Keith Ono suggested to the City of Federal Way that it should recycle Styrofoam packing blocks, especially after the holidays when people tend to get a lot of packaged stuff. The City agreed and set up a temporary collection site
in the lobby of City Hall right after Christmas.

The response has been overwhelming. People from all over the South Sound brought more than 15 cubic yards of Styrofoam blocks. That’s the equivalent of 30 big (96-gallon) yard waste carts.

Ono, who calls himself an avid recycler, couldn’t be happier.

“I’m sure I’m not the only one who says ‘What the heck do I do with this stuff?’”

What he’d really like to see is a permanent dropoff site for Styrofoam blocks. Residents currently have to travel to Renton to recycle Styrofoam blocks (although packaging peanuts are accepted for re-use at local shipping stores).

The City is challenging a local business to step up and provide a permanent location for Styrofoam block recycling.

Anyone interested should contact Jeanette Brizendine, the City’s Recycling Manager.

All it would take is an enclosed, dry space that is accessible by a collection vehicle. V&G Styro Recycle out of Renton will pick up the collected Styrofoam and recycle it free of charge.

“We know most people want to manage their Styrofoam blocks responsibly,” said Brizendine. “Having a local drop-off would make that much easier. We hope at least one area businesses could serve the drop-off spot. And, we’d be happy to spread the word about their involvement.”

Larger quantities of Styrofoam blocks from businesses should be taken directly to V&G Styro Recycle, 800 SW 43rd St. in Renton (on the west side of the IKEA parking garage). This site operates year-round and does not charge for drop-off of clean Styrofoam. More info is available at www.styrorecycle.com or 253.838.9555.

V&G Styro Recycle melts and compresses the blocks to a fraction of their original size, to become feedstock to make new products.

Want to know how to recycle other items? Visit: your.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/wdidw. For more information on Federal Way options, visit cityoffederalway.com/recycling.