Early this month the King County Solid Waste Division installed two new recycling compactors at Vashon’s transfer station, in an effort to both reduce costs and broaden services.

The compactors, which were installed Aug. 4 and opened to the public on Aug. 5, simplify the recycling process as all of the following may be placed into the compactors: flattened cardboard, paper, books, food boxes without liners, cartons (milk, juice or broth-type), paper cups, shredded paper (securely tied in clear plastic bags), aluminum and tin/steel cans, glass bottles and jars and the normally accepted plastic items. No liquids or food can be accepted.

Doug Williams, media relations coordinator for the King County Department of Natural Resources, explained that the compacted materials will be separated after reaching the recycling center.

Ultimately, Williams noted that the new equipment and methodology is expected to reduce the number of truck trips required to haul recycling off of the island by 35 per month — which would mean approximately 11,760 fewer miles driven per year, resulting in an estimated annual savings of 1,860 gallons of fuel and emissions reduced by about 23 metric tons.

Earlier this year, the Vashon transfer station became one of five in the county to accept mercury-containing light bulbs and tubes (including fluorescent lights) under the state-wide LightRecycle program, and in September, it will embark on a one-year yard and food waste pilot program collaboration between King County Solid Waste and Zero Waste Vashon.

For more information, see zerowastevashon.org/recycling-changes.