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Roses Are Green
Valentine’s Day Waste Prevention Tips
For immediate release: 2/11/08
For more information, Contact:
Brett Stav, (206) 684-5251, brett.stav@seattle.gov
SEATTLE— Where do roses go after Valentine’s Day? Here’s a clue: They’re not garbage anymore!
Flowers, grass, other yard waste, plus leftovers such as pasta, bread, paper napkins and pizza boxes can all go into Seattle’s 96-gallon yard and food waste cart. The collected material is turned into compost for local parks and gardens. In 2006, Seattle residents diverted nearly 25 million pounds of food waste from the landfill.
For guidelines about other items that can go into Seattle’s yard and food waste cart, please visit our Acceptable Yard & Food Waste page.
In addition, greeting cards and gift boxes are recyclable with your mixed paper. To help prevent waste, Seattle Public Utilities suggests the following alternatives for traditional Valentine’s Day gifts:
Instead of…
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…Give
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Cut flowers
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Potted plants, flowers or trees for the garden
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Balloon bouquets
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Durable items like a framed photo or artwork, or an experience like a once-in-a-lifetime hot-air balloon ride
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Valentine’s cards
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100% recycled content cards, e-mail greetings, a photo with a message on the back, or verbal Valentine wishes.
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Boxes of candy
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Sweets with less packaging, homemade treats, dessert at a restaurant, or a gift card to your Valentine’s favorite restaurant or coffeehouse.
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Perfume/lotions
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A “day of beauty,” a trip to the spa, or a massage (If you do give perfume or lotion, make sure the empty container can be recycled).
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Jewelry
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Get his or her existing jewelry repaired or cleaned. Or, make it seem like new by changing stones, adding charms, or putting on a new watch band. (If you do give new jewelry, make sure it is durable and well-made so it will last.)
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Stuffed animals
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Other warm, cozy items that could be useful, such as a soft blanket, bedding or a robe
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In addition to providing solid waste services in Seattle, SPU provides more than 1.3 million customers in the metropolitan area with a reliable water supply and provides essential sewer, drainage and engineering services that safeguard public health, maintain the City’s infrastructure and protect, conserve and enhance the region's environmental resources.
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Seattle Public Utilities
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