On September 27, a record number of vehicles, 1,282 to be exact, attended the City's semiannual recycling event. Vehicles loaded with recyclable items lined up at the Twin Lakes Park and Ride to drop off over 85 tons of recyclable materials.

A variety of recyclable items were brought to the event; appliances, scrap metal, clean wood, bulky yard debris, electronics, fluorescent tubes, tires, oil, gas, batteries, reusable household goods, rigid plastic, holiday lights and packing materials.

New this event were rigid plastic and packing peanuts. Rigid plastic items are self-supporting and sturdy, such as nursery pots, trays, baskets, buckets, blister packs, clam shells and children's toys.

"We were pleased to accept rigid plastic at the recycling event and even more pleased with the response." said Jeanette Brizendine, event organizer and Recycling Project Manager for the City of Federal Way. "We collected 2,398 pounds of rigid plastics and received praise from many residents who do not have another recycling option for it."

This may be the last event where televisions, monitors and computers will be accepted at the recycling event. A new Washington state law provides free and convenient electronics recycling starting in 2009. For more details, visit www.ecyclewashington.org.

The event is sponsored by the City using grants from the Washington State Department of Ecology and the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County.

The next recycling event will be held in the spring at the Twin Lakes Park & Ride. An exact date will be determined in December. Residents are encouraged to visit King County's What do I do with...? website (your.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/wdidw) for businesses and organizations that accept items for reuse, recycling or proper disposal.