Normally, I like to think I have at least a decent idea of what the city of Tacoma and Pierce County are up to. From time to time I’ve been known to flip on City Council meetings on Tuesday evening — beer in hand, mind you. I’ve even been known to pay attention to monotonously boring crap circulating the city or county buildings that would probably put most decent folks to sleep — like self serving city of Tacoma press releases and inane proclamations and proposals that will get you nothing but strange looks and sympathy if ever you bring them up in the company of average people. Most folks have no idea what their city or county governments are doing on a daily basis — and, given the general lack of excitement or intrigue — this is nothing if not understandable.



However, earlier this week an e-mail from the City of Tacoma arrived in my inbox — and the subject was something that, even boring ass, city council watching me, had no idea existed.



While it’s not terribly new, and — as a T-town mover and shaker you may already be hip to it — the e-mail touted the city and county’s involvement with the 2good2toss.com program, a municipal-backed craigslist of sorts that aims to keep still usable stuff out of landfills by finding takers through the magic of the Internet. Created in 2003, 2good2toss is a statewide program sponsored by the Department of Ecology, currently active in 14 cities and counties. The Pierce County version of 2good2toss — 2good2toss.com/Pierce — is the most successful of the bunch, having kept 420 tons of crap out of landfills since its inception and boasting 6,800 members.



It’s a fairly basic setup. Once a Pierce County resident registers, they can list a reusable item for free or for sale on the site for up to 90 days. The maximum price allowed is $199, though much of the stuff listed can be had for much less — even free.



“We consistently receive positive feedback from residents about how 2good2toss.com is a great resource,” said Tom Voigt, Tacoma/Pierce County site administrator in the distributed press release.



Who knew? I certainly didn’t. Maybe next time I’m looking for a slightly worn foosball table I’ll give 2good2toss a shot. It couldn’t hurt, and if it does, indeed, keep something out of the landfill — that’s even better.