To ring in a new, green 2013, Washington businesses will be required to recycle their used fluorescent light bulbs and tubes. The law requires all persons, residents, government, commercial, industrial and retail facilities and office buildings to recycle mercury-containing light bulbs and tubes at the end of their life. This includes compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs which contain small amounts of mercury.

To support the law, the State of Washington has been working to make recycling these types of light bulbs easier for everyone.  You can call or visit 1-800-RECYCLE for a list of local facilities that will collect the lightbulbs.  In Redmond, CFL bulbs can be dropped off for free recycling at chains like Bartell Drugs and Home Depot. King County Wastemobile events will also pick them up, for dates visit the City of Redmond website.

CFL and fluorescent tube lighting is great for energy conservation and reduced operating costs.  The downside to these bulbs is the minute amounts of mercury in each can be harmful to both humans and wildlife if not disposed of properly. According to the Washington State Department of Ecology, about 680 million lights are disposed of annually including at landfills and incinerators.  Mandatory recycling will help keep mercury out of the environment, and keep those efficient light bulbs a sustainable choice for at home and at work.

King County Executive Dow Constantine just released a list of the county’s best businesses and non-profits for waste reduction and recycling.  Not surprisingly, there are a large number right here in Redmond doing their part to act more sustainably!

These companies have done an excellent job reducing the waste they create and increasing the amount they recycle.  Last year, businesses in King County sent more than 180,000 tons of recyclable materials to the landfill. The businesses listed below are not only reducing this number, but are doing it in a way that is good for their bottom line.

Andrew Koeppen, managing director at Hot Off the Press, a local family-owned printer based in Redmond, said in the press release, “Many times, what businesses consider waste is something other entities can use and actually purchase. Finding out where our waste can be used helps our society become a community.”

When the Lake Washington School District began a composting program, they were able to reduce their garbage pick-up by 50%, a saving that went right back into the school budget.

The Together Center in Redmond will recycle your old cell phone to be used in domestic violence shelters.  This keeps electronic waste from entering our landfills and provides a much needed service to those in need.

Both Emerald Heights Retirement Community and PCC are on the “Honor Roll” since they have made the “Best Workplaces for Waste Prevention and Recycling” list for the last five consecutive years. 

Two businesses, Microsoft and Keeney’s Office Supply are featured in our case studies for their green practices. 

To learn more about how you and your business can recycle more, visit the King County website.  

Congratulations to these Redmond businesses who are recognized as the ‘Best Workplaces for Waste Prevention and Recycling’ in King County!

• City of Redmond
• Eastside Community Aid Thrift Shop
• Emerald Heights Retirement Community
• FCS Group
• Hot Off the Press
• Keeney's Office Supply
• Lake Washington School District
• Microsoft
• Noetix Corporation
• PCC Natural Markets
• PS Business Parks
• Sammamish Montessori School
• Thinkspace
• Together Center
• VMC Consulting

The Overlake School in Redmond was just recognized as a U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School!  They are in the first class of schools to be recognized for their sustainability efforts, and are one of only 78 selected nationwide. 

This federal recognition program honors schools that take a comprehensive approach to creating a green environment on campus.  This includes policies and programs that will reduce a school’s environmental impact, promote health, and have a high-quality environmental and outdoor education component of their curriculum. 

Overlake’s recognition comes after it successfully implemented activities in each of the following “four cornerstones” of the program: 

1. Environmentally Friendly Campus
2. Nature Adventure
3. Health, Fitness and Nutrition.
4. Natural Classrooms

The hope is that these Green Ribbon Schools will prepare students with skills in sustainability concepts that are seen as necessary in a growing global economy. These Green Ribbon Schools also see a benefit from cost savings associated with utility bills and healthier and more productive classrooms.

Congratulations to Overlake School!  To get your local school involved, check out the Green Ribbon School’s website, www.GreenRibbonSchools.org