Customers of PSE can try LED bulbs for $2 in the month of June.  This is a HUGE discount and great opportunity to test out the latest in bulb technology.  Even more efficient than CFL light bulbs, some people prefer the LED light to a traditional bulb. 

Give them a try!  Check out the PSE store here:

http://pse.com/savingsandenergycenter/GetReEnergized/Pages/ShopPSE.aspx

Come help build raised garden beds for families with low incomes on Saturday, May 18, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in Redmond with the Just Garden Project, a new Seattle Tilth program.

These gardens empower families to grow and eat fresh, local, organic food. Gardens help King County families experiencing hunger meet their basic needs by transforming their relationship with food—from consumer into producer, and from eating enough into eating well. 

Meet at the Old Firehouse Teen Center, 16510 NE 79th St, Redmond. Contact Wendi Jiang at wendijiang@seattletilth.org to volunteer.

Redmond Parks are already pesticide free, why don't you have your yard follow suit?  Washington Toxics Coalition will send you a free, colorful 'pesticide free zone' ladybug yard sign if you pledge to keep pesticides out of your yard and garden.

Why go pesticide free?  There are numerous reasons from protecting our children's and pet's health, to protecting the environment.  Runoff from pesticides enter our waterways which end up causing local pollution and impacting our salmon runs.  Pesticides are also indiscriminate killers, and they often end up killing beneficial bugs and insects like bees and other important pollinators. 

For more on why you should commit to going pesticide free, check out Washington Toxic's fact sheet. 

Impact Redmond also has tips on how to garden for your site without relying on chemicals here.

Finally, King County has a great resource for people who are looking for play spaces that are pesticide free, like all of our wonderful Redmond Parks.

But you can bike to the grocery store, your friend's house, or to drop your kids off at school! Biking is not only  great exercise, it is a great way to reduce your environmental impact.

Driving our cars accounts for almost half of all greenhouse gas emissions in King County. By driving less, we can curb these emissions. Luckily for Redmond residents, we have a great network of bike trails, pathways, and shared roadways that make it easy to pick up cycling.

For more information on Bike-to-Work Month, visit the Cascade Bike Club Commute Challenge. Redmond's Trip Resource & Incentive Program (R-TRIP) also has great information including bike maps and safety tips. People who live or work in Redmond can use R-TRIP to get rewards for reducing their car trips.  Replacing 50 car commutes with bike, walking, carpooling, or transit makes you eligible for a $50 reward, and other monthly drawings.

Finally, May 17th is Bike-to-Work Day and R-TRIP will be throwing a party for ALL Redmond Bikers. Join the Bike Bash at City Hall from 4-7 pm.  Free food & drinks, live music, and more for our bike community!  More information here: http://www.gortripblog.com/2013/04/bikebash/

All King County and city residents can safely dispose of old car batteries, oil, paint thinner and many other household hazardous items at no cost when the Wastemobile comes through Redmond.  There will be a second "Special Collection" recylcing event by the City of Redmond on April 6th.
 
The Wastemobile

Where: Parking lot of the Home Depot (17777 N.E. 76th St.), 

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
 
About: Residents can drop off household hazardous waste items including pesticides, oil-based paints, automotive products (oil, antifreeze, auto batteries, etc.), fluorescent bulbs/tubes and other items free of charge.
 

Special Collections Event

When: April 6th

Where: Redmond Maintenance and Operations Center (18120 NE 76th Street )

About:This special collection event includes mattress recycling ($10), a paper shredding station, and electronics recycling. 

More information on the events can be found here: http://www.redmond.gov/Environment/GarbageRecycling/CollectionEvents/

Governor Inslee's measure to study best practices for reducing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions has passed the state house.  The measure was passed with bipartisan support, and will work to develop the best strategies to reduce GHG emissions.  To do this, the state will have outside consultants review current Washington state efforts to cut carbon emissions and similar efforts elsewhere that have the best track record for success. 

The report is due in October, and at that time the Governor and legislative leaders will review the report and make recommendations for what actions could be taken to help Washington reduce our GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.

There are many things you can do to reduce your personal GHG emissions.  Start by measuring your impact with our carbon calculator, and then take the Impact Redmond Pledge to reduce your impact.