The creative talent of King County residents has been brought to light with the King County Solid Waste Division’s “Recycling Superstar” contest, in which people shared their ideas on how they go the extra mile to recycle items, rather than throwing them in the garbage.

Auburn resident and recycling superstar Michael Wilson was nominated by his daughter, Megan, for his motivation to reuse and recycle everything he can to save money, the planet or both.

It’s not just that Michael Wilson recycles the “usual” items – including aluminum cans, cardboard, food scraps and food soiled paper – but it’s the way he recycles that makes him special.

For example, he reuses the rinse water of each soda pop can – rinsing one can after another with the same water, before putting clean recyclables in the curbside cart.

For their efforts, five people who submitted recycling tips during the Aug. 16-Sept. 14 online contest have won great “experience” prizes, including a trip to Victoria, tickets to a Seattle Sounders game, and more.

Surveys have shown that while most King County residents do recycle, more than half of what ends up at the County’s Cedar Hills Regional Landfill can easily be recycled. Food scraps and food-soiled paper, both of which can be placed in the curbside yard waste cart for recycling, make up more than one third of residential garbage.

“We knew there were some serious recyclers out there who are really going the extra mile to recycle all they can,” said Gerty Coville, King County Solid Waste Division project manager. “The stories they tell really illustrate how easy and fun it can be to recycle more and recycle better at home.”

A panel of King County recycling experts judged the entries based on accuracy and level of recycling effort, creativity and detail. The Recycling Superstar contest is sponsored by the Division’s “Recycle More. It’s Easy to Do” campaign to help reduce the amount of recyclables that end up in the landfill.

Prizes were donated by local radio station partners.

Contest prizes

• Trip for two to Victoria, B.C., including round trip on the Victoria Clipper, hotel stay, Butchart Garden/city tour and afternoon tea at Fairmont Empress.

• Lodging and spa stay in Friday Harbor.

• Overnight stay for two at the Roosevelt Hotel in Seattle, including Jazz Alley tickets.

• Two Seattle Sounders game tickets plus a gift certificate to Panera Bread.

• Two Seattle Sounders game tickets plus a gift certificate to the Neighborhood Grills restaurant of the recipient’s choice.

For more information about recycling in King County, visit www.kingcounty.gov/recyclemore or www.recyclefood.com.