Living Green Technology Blog

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Written by Steven Hoag
on July 27, 2017

Oftentimes it’s easy to lose sight of the progress that’s being made in improving our environment when the mainstream media continues to focus on all the problems in the world. We here at Living Green Technology take a glass half-full approach and believe it’s important to keep up with the recent developments and improvements in the recycling industry in order to appreciate the strides that are being made. Keep reading for our recycling news roundup!

Good job Seattle: City recycling rate nearing 60 percent

According to KOMO News, Seattle is continuing the great work it has done in recycling, and has improved its recycling rate for the 13th consecutive year. Seattle' recycling rate currently sits at 58.8%, which is 1% more than the year prior, and 20% more than 13 years ago. Seattle Public Utilities believes there is still plenty of room for improvement, particularly in terms of sending more food waste and food-contaminated paper from landfills to be composted, especially considering that 30% of our garbage is food.

SoDo Program Gives Seattle Artists Money, Studio and Mountain of Trash

Seattle artists are enjoying a new program designed to improve recycling rates and support the local art community. Artists are visiting a large industrial park in the SoDo district to scavenge through recyclables to find materials to make art with. Art created from this program goes on exhibition and becomes a part of the program's permanent collection to help promote further recycling efforts. 

Are straws the next plastic bags? Seattle Aquarium, others ditch the popular utensil

According to the National Park Service, the US uses 500 million straws each day, which equates to 38,000 per person, over the course of their life. Unfortunately, many of these straws find their way to the ocean. As part of a "Strawless in Seattle" campaign, over 500 local groups and restaurants will stop using straws for a month, and the Seattle Aquarium is joining the larger effort to limit straw use. Another important thing to note is that the local Seattle government is not currently planning a straw ban ordinance.

Hong Kong must resist pressure from business and regulate hazardous e-waste

The Hong Kong Free Press is reporting that the recycling industry in the city is curiously opposed to new recycling regulations, claiming that they are hampering the industry. The EPD (Environmental Protection Department) was petitioned to delay new licensing regulations for operators and to stop enforcement against hazardous e-waste as chemical waste. China is one of the more popular transit points for global e-waste and has failed to responsibly. This has led to increased health risks for the local populace and damaged the environment. 

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