As expected, Baiba and Joe Rubino came out near the top during the second and third Renton Neighborhood Challenge weigh-ins, on June 5 and Thursday, June 12. The family of four reduced its trash from the first May 29 weigh-in by more than half, going from a bloated 62.6 pounds to 24.6.

How’d they do it?

“I’m recycling more than I had been,” Baiba says. “I’m also utilizing the yard waste bin. But the bulk of it is just buying smarter.”

She’s stopped buying Capri Suns and started making frozen juices. She and other family members have started disposing food waste in the yard waste bin. They previously dumped leftovers in the trash or disposal.

Reducing waste is a challenge indeed for the Rubinos, who have a 3 1/2 year-old daughter and an 8-month-old son in diapers. But Baiba is hoping to reduce even more by the final weigh-in June 26.

The other five East Renton Plateau families also fared well during the second and third weigh-ins, reducing a combined 67.7 pounds from May 29 to Thursday. Nearly all families reduced their waste substantially.

The family that reduces the biggest percentage of its garbage by June 26 will receive a recycling makeover and prize package. The challenge is part of King County’s campaign called “Recycle More. It’s Easy To Do.” The campaign began in 2006. It is part of King County’s goal to generate zero waste by 2030.

For more information

To find out more about recycling in Renton, visit http://rentonwa.gov/living/ and click on the Living and Environment tabs. In King County, visit www.metrokc.gov/recyclemore. For more about recycling food scraps and soiled paper, visit www.recyclefood.com.