Originally published on January 20, 2021. Updated August 11, 2022.

This story is brought to you by Live in Everett Member, Lamoureux Real Estate.

Writer’s note August 2022: I wanted to share an update with you about Ridwell. I’ve been using the service for over a year, and I love it. I’m thrilled that they are now offering an add-on pick-up service for clear plastic clamshells. Those dang things take up so much room in the trash. Here are some of the items they’ve picked and given to partner organizations: broken jewelry, twist ties and bread tags, corks, small electronics and cords, eyeglasses and holiday lights. I’m paying $16 a month, and it’s a little steep, but I’m looking at it as an investment in hopefully a new system that will result in fewer things going to the landfill. If it fits in your budget, you should give them a try. 

It was well over a year ago that Tyler Chism was walking through the office, stopped with a contemplative look, as he does, and out of the blue shared that “Everett needs Ridwell.” I’d never heard of Ridwell so I did an immediate search and he was right, Everett needs Ridwell. I signed up with my email address indicating that I was interested in them coming to town. 

Guess what Everett? After enough neighbors expressed interest, Ridwell is here. 

Ridwell’s taglines are “Wasting less, made easy.” and “We make it easy to sustainably reuse and recycle your stuff.” They offer a subscription service and will pick up your recyclable and reusable items. 

I recycle a lot, but it takes some work. I use my blue Waste Management toter as much as I can - which isn’t as much as before, since China stopped taking our recyclables. I am luckily a two-minute drive from the transfer station where I can recycle batteries and light bulbs when I remember to and am not too bothered to go there. I sometimes remember to take my plastic bags, cereal box liners, toilet tissue wrap and Amazon bubble envelopes with me to Fred Meyer to dispose of in their recycling bins. 

I try to do as much as I can, but I’ve lost sleep about styrofoam. There is so much of it and with takeout during this pandemic, there is so much more of it. The only place I could find that accepts styrofoam for recycling is Kirkland and it is only available to their city residents. 

So, I’m elated to have a huge orange bag from Ridwell, hung up in my laundry room to collect my styrofoam. Ridwell accepts clean styrofoam food containers, packing peanuts and even those huge blocks that come in electronics boxes. When the bag is filled up, I will schedule a pick-up and pay $9 to be rid of it all. 

Back to the subscription details. I’ve signed up for six months for $96. It’s steep, especially since I already know where to go to recycle most things, but I’ve subscribed because Ridwell will make it easier for me and I want to support this business model. Making recycling easier is important and I’m sure there are other ways, but this is the option we have right now. 

Ridwell pickups occur every two weeks and they always pick up four core items.

• Plastic film, bags and packaging

• Clothes, shoes and textiles

• Household batteries

• Household light bulbs

They also pick up a special category on a rotating basis. Recently they picked up cords, chargers and printer cartridges. Upcoming categories include holiday lights, eyeglasses and corks. 

With my subscription, I received a box for my front walk and canvas bags to sort my recyclables. Ridwell has a great website with visuals to help me discern what can and can’t be recycled as well as a printable category guide. 

For now, I feel this is progress in the right direction but I’d like to see less plastic used and more truly compostable options in general. 

Have you subscribed to Ridwell? What do you think? Let us know in the comments or on Facebook. 

Ridwell

THANKS TO LAMOUREUX REAL ESTATE FOR POWERING THIS STORY.
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Linda War Bonnet represents south Everett on the Live in Everett Team. When she isn’t working, she is running the Westmont-Holly Neighborhood Association. You might spot her walking her dog in the Holly neighborhood.