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Haz Waste staff celebrate Earth Day with Day of Service across King County

Four people in rain ponchos hold trash bags and pose for a photo in a rainy parking lot.

Haz Waste staff celebrated this Earth Day by cleaning up garbage, planting flowers, removing noxious weeds and trimming trees across the Seattle and Bellevue area on Wednesday. This day of service is something we aim to make an annual occurrence, an opportunity to serve the community and make our home a little greener.

“This work is, in a lot of ways, about planting a seed,” said the Program Director Maythia Airhart. “It’s about having an impact and starting something positive that the Program will carry forward for years to come, while also showing and hopefully inspiring people to make little contributions of their own that can create tremendously positive effects in our community.”

A person puts blackberry bush branches in a trash bag being held by another person.

Staff participated in six different events across the region, hosted by local organizations. Activities ranged from mulching and planting a pollinator garden at Rainier Beach Urban Farm in South Seattle to removing English ivy in the Lake Hills Greenbelt in Bellevue. At one event the Program helped host, staff cleaned up garbage and litter near Duwamish Waterway Park in partnership with Seattle Public Utilities’ Adopt a Street Program, King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, Duwamish River Community Coalition, and Seattle Neighborhood Group.

“I grew up not far from the Duwamish River, so this work is personal to me,” Airhart said. “Protecting the river and reducing toxic pollution is about more than the environment. It’s about advancing our shared goals of environmental justice, salmon recovery, climate resilience, and creating healthier, more livable neighborhoods for everyone.”

Even if you aren’t able to get outside to volunteer this Earth Day, simple choices at home can help prevent pollution before it reaches our environment. Safely disposing of hazardous household products, choosing less toxic alternatives, and keeping waste out of storm drains are easy ways to help protect our community and the environment. Find a Haz Waste collection site or upcoming Wastemobile event near you to get started.