Kirkland StyroFest recycling events return in 2017, with changes

December 20, 2016 1:30 am
Kirkland City Hall - Reporter file photo
Kirkland City Hall - Reporter file photo

Since Winter 2013, Kirkland residents have been recycling Styrofoam and more at the City’s monthly StyroFest events. The City collects huge amounts of foam and plastic film – over 80 cubic yards of material at each event – to be recycled into products like picture frames, crown molding, and outlet covers. Over the past three years, participants have kept an estimated 2,000 cubic-yards of plastic foam and film out of the landfill by recycling material at StyroFest.

Due to the event’s ever-growing popularity, the City is instituting a few changes in 2017 to ensure that all Kirkland residents can be served. Material will only be accepted from Kirkland residents – staff may ask to see resident ID or other proof of residence. Each household will be limited to one carload of material, and trailers and box trucks or moving trucks will not be allowed. Events will be run by contractor StyroRecycle, and hours are changing to 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Residents can drop off their clean plastic foam on designated Saturdays. Additionally, plastic bags, bubble wrap, plastic film, flexible polyethylene foam and plastic strapping are accepted.

Packing peanuts are not accepted. Packing peanuts can often be reused by local shipping stores.

StyroFest is held at the City of Kirkland Public Works Maintenance Center located at 915 8th Street in the Norkirk neighborhood.

All events are on Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Residents should plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before the close of the event so there is time to sort their material. The dates for 2017 are Jan. 7, Feb. 11, March 11, April 8, June 10, July 8, Aug. 12, Sept. 9, Nov. 4 and Dec. 9.

There will be no StyroFest events in May and October because plastic foam is accepted at the City’s semiannual Residential Recycling Collection Events held these months.

Year-round plastic foam recycling options are available in Woodinville, Bothell, Issaquah, Shoreline, Seattle SoDo, and Kent.

For details on what to bring, and a printable flyer (pdf) with all dates for 2017, visit the City’s recycling webpage. For questions or more information about the recycling event, contact the Recycling Hotline at 425-587- 3812 or recycle@kirklandwa.gov.