Can I recycle my shredded paper?

If your company has its own shredder, do not place the shredded paper into the recycle bin. The paper fiber is too short after shredding to be of much use in the recycling process. If it goes through the system, most of it will end up as trash. Instead, see if someone in your office would like to take it home for their compost pile or worm bin. Paper adds carbon to a compost pile – something we often do not have enough of in our compost piles. (Sometimes we have too much in the way of grass clippings and not enough wood material, so shredded paper can help balance that out.) Worms like it for bedding. If they get hungry, they’ll eat it. You can use it as animal bedding (for instance, in a litter box or cage), but only if the staples and paper clips have been removed. The last resort is to throw it away.

Does anyone really have a paperless office?

There are actually some industries that are nearly paper-free now. They are mainly companies whose operations are electronic-based, such as web designers, network providers, or computer consulting businesses. What little paper they have is usually incoming, rather than generated on-site. These tech companies are savvy about electronic billing and record keeping, so they generate very little paper.

For everyone else, a few simple actions will reduce the amount of paper you use. For example, use the backsides of used paper for drafts. Fax electronically if you can, or use fax stickies instead of cover sheets. Store those important emails in an electronic file instead of keeping a hard copy “for backup”.

What about my company’s hazardous waste?

Kitsap County holds special monthly collections for businesses with hazardous waste if they meet the criteria for a Small Quantity Generator (SQG). A business may qualify as an SQG if it generates less than 220 pounds of hazardous waste per month, or annually accumulates less than 2,200 pounds of hazardous waste on site. This includes non-profit businesses such as churches, clubs, and volunteer organizations. To see if your business qualifies and to make an appointment, call the Kitsap County Public Works Open Line at (360) 337-5777. The Open Line staff will ask you some questions and then someone will call you back to set up an appointment. Visit the SQG web page at for more information.

Can I throw away my fluorescent tubes?

No. Most fluorescent tubes contain a small amount of mercury which cannot go into the trash. If your company is an SQG, bring the linear tubes and compact fluorescent lights to your appointment, unless you have a large quantity. If you’re unsure, call The Open Line. Someone from the SQG program will help you determine if you should have a vendor pick them up. It is best if you transport the old tubes in their original box and do not tape the tubes together. There is a fee charged to cover the cost to properly manage the tubes.

If you want to find a list of vendors who pick up hazardous waste from businesses, go to www.kitsapcountyhealth.com. (Hazardous Waste PDF)

What’s on the horizon?

The WA State Department of Health and six counties, including Kitsap, are developing a free recycling program for contractors to safely dispose of mercury-containing thermostats they’ve replaced. If you’d like more information, call The Open Line or email.