At the end of May, the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) launched a statewide, three-week recycling education campaign: Recycle Right—Empty. Clean. Dry. It Matters. The campaign is in response to the loss of China as a market due to the high contamination rates of our recyclable commodities.

The campaign is targeted at adults and included ads via radio, television, social media, website, and app channels. The statewide campaign ended June 16, but a campaign toolkit is being developed for local governments. The toolkit is expected at the end of June and will include:

• Website content (graphics and copy)
• Static social media (graphics and copy)
• Cart tags addressing specific contamination behaviors
• One-page handout for events
• Newsletter copy
• One-page handout – Recycle Right
• Half-page handout – Empty. Clean. Dry.
• Half-page handout – No plastic bags and wrap.
• Direct mailer – Empty. Clean. Dry.
• Direct mailer – No plastic bags and wrap.
• Bill insert – Empty. Clean. Dry.
• Bill insert – No plastic bags and wrap.

Once ready, the toolkit will be shared with all local solid waste programs. As part of the campaign, Ecology also created a blog and website. Videos in English and Spanish are available now to use in your community:

>English

• Tuna
• Ketchup
• Soda

Spanish

• Atún
• Salsa de tomate
• Soda

Contact Alli Kingfisher at Ecology if you have questions, at 509-329-3448.