Remember, Only You Can Prevent Waste

Attention! Attention everyone! Seattlest would like to call to your attention the fact that Seattle Public Utilities is launching an initiative called Wasteless in Seattle, with the visionary goal of "zero waste." (Yes, the quotation marks make us nervous, too.)

The P-I stole trash-talking already, so we're going with a riff on the old Smokey the Bear slogan for this story. Besides, if you mention trash-talking and Seattle, and readers don't hear about GP, then its just plain misleading.

Now back to the story:

Seattle, which became a national recycling leader 15 years ago, is also embarking on an aggressive program to reach a goal of diverting 60 percent of garbage from landfills by recycling. Now that percentage is less than 40 percent.

How, you ask?

First, if you doubt that there's much more waste reduction to be done, consider that the city of Seattle, just a stone's throw from Bill Gates's paperless office, uses a pile of paper about as high as Mount Rainier annually.

Then check out what the people who make Choice Organic Teas are doing. Businesses small and large are being offered upgraded recycling aid, so if you or someone you love visits a business that could recycle a wee bit harder, Seattlest urges you to mention that assistance is just a phone call to Seattle Public Utilities away.

On a personal note, have you heard about Use It Again Seattle? It's a moveable feast of swappable stuff, hosted by our green utility.

Of course, there's also FreecycleSeattle, if you prefer a more DIY vibe. "Find new homes for things you no longer use and receive what you need--free!" Ha ha! Yes, we'll have some of that green Kool-Aid, please! Last but not least, if you'd like to make it interesting, you can barter the day away at Craiglist.

So there. Now go clean your closet.