Pesticide-Free Parks

Did you know the City of Redmond has pesticide-free parks?

Nike Park has been maintained as pesticide-free since 2009.  Juel Park was added to this list in 2010.  While not officially pesticide-free, a high level of commitment by on-site staff has enabled the city to maintain two community parks without synthetic herbicides – Perrigo Park since 2010 and Grass Lawn Park during the 2011 season.

The Parks Department has been committed to using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices for many years.  IPM focuses on maintaining landscapes through prevention, observation, and lastly, intervention.  Synthetic pesticides are only used in limited situations when other methods of pest control are not effective or practical. 

Fight F.O.G.

What is F.O.G.?

F.O.G. stands for everyday fats, oils and grease that are found in food and food ingredients that are used in our homes daily.  Meat fats, cooking oil, butter and margarine, shortening and lard, baked goods, sauces, salad dressings, and dairy  products among others can all contribute to the problem and need to be disposed of properly.

Fats, oils, and grease are all substances that when poured down the drain or into your garbage disposal, will build up over time, constrict water flow and eventually cause expensive sewer backup into your home or the city’s wastewater system.  Improper disposal causes up to 50% of all sewage overflow problems and can result in potential public health issues and pollution problems.  By keeping these guys out of the drain, you directly help the City keep costs low for everyone!

What Can I Do?

By following a few simple steps, you can help prevent sewer backups and spills:

• Pour cooled leftover oils and grease into a covered, disposable container and throw it away in the garbage.
• Start a compost pile and place all food scraps in your yard waste container for collection.
• Scrape food scraps from dishes into your compost pile instead of the garbage disposal.
• Wipe excess grease and oil from cookware and plates with a paper towel prior to washing.  You can place the paper towel in your compost bin after use.
• Pre-wash all dishes with cold water.

Conserving Water Is Easy!

Even simple actions can add up to lots of saved water:
1. Take shorter showers.
2. Don’t run the water while brushing your teeth.
3. Run full loads of clothes and dishes.
4. Repair links promptly.
5. Make sure your irrigation system is in good working order.

The City of Redmond and Cascade Water Alliance offer the following programs to help you eliminate water waste and save money…
1. Purchase a high-efficiency clothes washer and receive a rebate up to $100.
2. Install high efficiency showerheads and faucet aerators.
3. If you have an automatic sprinkler system, upgrade the controller and add a rain sensor and receive a rebate up to $400.
4. Switch out your old water-wasting toilet with a WaterSense toilet and receive a $50 rebate.
5. Special incentive programs are available to businesses, schools, and apartment complexes.

To learn more, visit www.cascadewater.org.

 

November 15th is America Recycles Day

 

eCycle – Take your old computers or other electronics to a local recycling center.  This helps keep lead, cadmium, and other substances out of the landfill. 

The use of electronic products has grown substantially over the past two decades, changing the way and the speed in which we communicate and how we get information and entertainment.  According to the Consumer Electronics Association, Americans now own approximately 24 electronic products per household.  Donating used electronics for reuse extends the lives of valuable products.  Recycling electronics prevents valuable materials from going into the waste stream.  Consumers now have many options to recycle or donate for reuse their electronics.  Many computer, TV, and cell phone manufacturers, as well as electronics retailers offer some kind of take back program or sponsor recycling events.

Televisions, computers, and monitors contain toxic substances and are not allowed in the garbage.  They can be recycled for no charge.  If you have curbside service, the following items can be collected at the curb for no charge, but you must call Waste Management at 800.592.9995 to arrange a pickup service:

• Computer CPUs, monitors, laptops
• Keyboards, mice, speakers, cables, circuit boards
• PDA’s, MP3 players, calculators, other handheld electronics in clear plastic bags
• Cell phones in clear plastic bags
• Copy machines, scanners, printers
• VCR & DVD players, stereos
• TVs (up to 21” screen only)
• Microwaves

Electronics can be recycled via the E-Cycle Washington program.  Redmond residents can recycle computers, monitors, television, and laptops at no charge at Mitronics located at 17455 NE 67th Court, Suite 100, Redmond.  Charges may apply for other electronics.  Contact Mitronics at 425.883.8881.

 

November 15th is America Recycles Day

 

eCycle – Take your old computers or other electronics to a local recycling center.  This helps keep lead, cadmium, and other substances out of the landfill. 

The use of electronic products has grown substantially over the past two decades, changing the way and the speed in which we communicate and how we get information and entertainment.  According to the Consumer Electronics Association, Americans now own approximately 24 electronic products per household.  Donating used electronics for reuse extends the lives of valuable products.  Recycling electronics prevents valuable materials from going into the waste stream.  Consumers now have many options to recycle or donate for reuse their electronics.  Many computer, TV, and cell phone manufacturers, as well as electronics retailers offer some kind of take back program or sponsor recycling events.

Televisions, computers, and monitors contain toxic substances and are not allowed in the garbage.  They can be recycled for no charge.  If you have curbside service, the following items can be collected at the curb for no charge, but you must call Waste Management at 800.592.9995 to arrange a pickup service:

• Computer CPUs, monitors, laptops
• Keyboards, mice, speakers, cables, circuit boards
• PDA’s, MP3 players, calculators, other handheld electronics in clear plastic bags
• Cell phones in clear plastic bags
• Copy machines, scanners, printers
• VCR & DVD players, stereos
• TVs (up to 21” screen only)
• Microwaves

Electronics can be recycled via the E-Cycle Washington program.  Redmond residents can recycle computers, monitors, television, and laptops at no charge at Mitronics located at 17455 NE 67th Court, Suite 100, Redmond.  Charges may apply for other electronics.  Contact Mitronics at 425.883.8881.