Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Kilowatt Ours - Issaquah's Film Series event, Thurs, Sept 16, 6-9pm

Wow! Believe it or not Issaquah’s last film for 2010 is next week.

We will be showing the film “Kilowatt Ours”. It’s fascinating, informative, inspiring and fun! And if you own a home, or will soon be purchasing a home, or are involved in the real estate industry – you will really find this event very informative, with great information and ideas on energy efficiency! This event is open to all and appropriate for students and adults.
Event details and City website link below. Please feel free to pass this event info on. I hope to see you there!

Free Event: Sustainability Film Series
September 16th, 6 pm - 9 pm

King County Library Services Center
960 Newport Way NW
Issaquah, WA 98027

The final movie night in the 2010 series will feature “Kilowatt Ours”.

In “Kilowatt Ours”, filmmaker Jeff Barrie offers hope as he turns the camera on himself and asks, “How can I make a difference?” In his journey Barrie explores the source of our electricity and the problems caused by energy production including mountain top removal, childhood asthma and global warming. Along the way he encounters individuals, businesses, organizations, and communities who are leading the way, using energy conservation, efficiency and renewable, green power all while saving money and the environment. This often amusing and always inspiring story shows, “You can easily make a difference and here’s how!”

Free Home Energy Audits!

The first 100 Issaquah residents to sign up at the event get a free Home Energy Audit (a $400 dollar value). One of the audited homes will also be given a free home weatherization (a $4,000 value).

Come early for snacks, and to talk with energy experts from our area that are ready to help

City of Issaquah’s event website link:
http://www.ci.issaquah.wa.us/Calendar.asp?View=EVENT&EventID=1409&Date=09/16/2010&SectionID=-1

Hope to see you there!

Best always,
Kim Ducoté

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Closed-Loop Scoop - the latest edition

Hi Waste Free Readers:

Thanks to Layne Sloan, Department of Ecology, for the latest Closed-Loop Scoop News. Details below and at the link provided. Lots happening in our waste free world.

The August 2010 issue of The Closed-Loop Scoop is out! Articles include:

• San Juan County Using Recycled Paper
• Kitsap County Inducted into Waste Wise Hall of Fame
• Food Serviceware
• Port of Seattle Program Reduces Pollutants
• Puget Sound Energy's Grant Program
• Thurston County Wins National Award
• Beyond the Curb Report

To read the latest issue, follow this link: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/1007003.html.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Newsletter - NW Product Stewardship Council

Thanks to Lisa Sepanski, King County Solid Waste for forwarding the latest NW Product Stewardship Council newsletter. See below. For more information on the NW Product Stewardship Council visit: http://www.productstewardship.net/

Thanks for recycling!
Kim

June 2010
PRODUCT STEWARDSHIP IN THE UNITED STATES

PaintCare Develops Plan for Oregon Paint Product Stewardship Pilot Program

PaintCare's Oregon Paint Product Stewardship Pilot Program Plan has been posted to the DEQ website for public review . If you have any feedback, please e-mail it to Abby Boudouris at Department of Environmental Quality by June 15th at 3pm PDT.
New York State Passes E-Waste Law

The New York State Legislature passed a new electronics law requiring manufacturers to accept used electronics from consumers. Manufacturers will cover program costs through an initial registration fee and annual reporting fees. This bill supercedes the New York City e-waste recycling program that had been challenged by some electronics manufacturers and trade associations.

PRODUCT STEWARDSHIP IN CANADA

BC's fluorescent lamp recycling program kicks off on July 1

The BC fluorescent lamps recycling program begins on July 1, 2010. Residents will be able to take burnt out compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) and fluorescent tubes (residential use only) to convenient retail and municipal collection sites. The product stewardship program has been developed by the Electrical Equipment Manufacturers Association of Canada (EEMAC), a council of Electro-Federation Canada, in concert with Product Care Association.

WHO IS THE NWPSC?

The Northwest Product Stewardship Council (NWPSC) is a coalition of local government agencies related to solid waste, recycling, resource conservation, environmental protection, water quality and other issues. Together with non-government agencies (NGOs), individuals, and businesses across Washington and Oregon, they form a network supporting product stewardship and extended producer responsibility (EPR). For more information, contact info@productstewardship.net.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

'Dirt! The Movie' - Issaquah Sustainability Film Series, Tuesday, June 8

Save the Date! On Tuesday, June 8, The Issaquah Sustainability Film Series will present 'Dirt! The Movie' details below. Great movie for all to see!
Enjoy!
Kim

Now Showing: Issaquah’s

Sustainability Film Series Presents ‘Dirt! The Movie’

ISSAQUAH (May 17, 2010) – Continuing the City of Issaquah’s series of free film nights on sustainability, the documentary “Dirt! The Movie” will be shown June 8th.

The event aims to educate the community about the wonders of the soil. It tells the story of Earth's most valuable and underappreciated source of fertility--from its miraculous beginning to its crippling degradation.

DIRT! the Movie, brings to life the environmental, economic, social and political impact of the soil. It shares the stories of experts from all over the world who study and are able to harness the beauty and power of a respectful and mutually beneficial relationship with soil.

Locally, the Puget Sound Partnership, tasked with cleaning up pollution in the Sound, notes that surface water runoff is a primary transporter of toxic pollutants to Puget Sound. How we care for our soil in our yards, and what runs off of them has a direct effect on the health of our local creeks and lakes as well as Puget Sound.

After the movie, a panel of experts will lead a discussion on dirt, and what we can do in our own yards to keep the soil healthy and toxin free. Informational tables, as well as refreshments will be available to attendees. In addition, door prizes will be given away after the movie.
Event details:

• 6:30-9 p.m. June 8th (come early at 6 p.m. to talk with exhibitors and get a good seat)
• King County Library Service Center Community Room
• 960 Newport Way N.W., Issaquah (This is not the downtown library!)

The free movie nights are presented by the City of Issaquah’s Resource Conservation Office (RCO) and funded through a grant from the King County Local Hazardous Waste Management Program. For more information, go to www.ci.issaquah.wa.us/rco or call the RCO at 425-837-3400.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

K-12 Art & Video Contest - Puget Sound Starts Here Campaign

Hi Everyone!

Below are details on a great contest for K-12 students to raise awareness about the Puget Sound Starts Here Campaign. Deadline is May 22. For more information contact:
Ginny Ballard at gsanchez@naturevision.org

Happy Creating!
Best,
Kim

2010 Puget Sound Starts Here Art & Video Contest Rules


THEME: Why should we care about the Puget Sound?

ELIGIBILITY: Open to King County students. Contest is only open in Art for grades K-4. Grades 5-12 may compete in Art and Video. Entries must be the original work of the student.

DEADLINE: Entries must be received by May 22, 2010.

AGE CATEGORIES:
A. Grades K-2(Art only) B. Grades 3-4 (Art only) C. Grades 5-6 D. Junior High E. High School

JUDGING CATEGORIES (may do more than one submission):

Art: Photographs, drawings, paintings, textiles, or mixed media. Submissions may not exceed 20” x 25” x 1”. For grades 5-12, a short paragraph explaining the piece is appreciated, but not required.

Video: Public service announcements, commercials, theatrical, music, dance, poetry, spoken word, or any other creative expression. Submissions are not to exceed 5 minutes in length. Entries must be in digital format on a DVD (no VHS). These entries will later be posted on YouTube by contest staff for public viewing.

HOW TO SUBMIT: All entries may be mailed to:
Nature Vision
Attn. PSSH Art & Video Contest
5900 232 Ave NE, Bldg. A
Redmond, WA 98053

DISPLAYS: Entries submitted by the deadline may be displayed at the opening gala on June 5, 2010.

JUDGING: Entries will be judged by a panel of four to six community members, and representatives of the art and environmental communities.

AWARDS AND CEREMONY: Winners from each judging category and age group will be notified one week prior to the opening gala. Families and friends are invited to the awards ceremony.

PROTECTION/RETURN OF ARTWORK: Artwork will become part of a traveling gallery through the summer and fall of 2010. Contest staff will notify participant artists of dates and times artwork can be picked up from a local partner site. Artwork will not be returned via mail, it will be the parent/student’s responsibility to pick up work at designated times.

Questions may be addressed to: Ginny Ballard at gsanchez@naturevision.org

LABELING OF ENTRIES: Please attach this label to the back of your entry, or as a note enclosed with your video submission. All parts of label must be completed.

Student Name ____________________________________

Grade Level ___________

Name of your school_______________________________

How did you find out about the art contest? ____________________________

Artwork Title_______________________________________________________

Name of Parent or Guardian _________________________________

Full Home Address _______________________________________________

Phone (home and/or cell) _________________________________________

E-mail of Parent or Guardian (personal info will not be shared) ______________________________________________

Your age category as listed above (Circle one) A B C D E

Explanation of artwork (optional short paragraph)

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Closed-Loop Scoop Dept of Ecology May newsletter

The May 2010 Closed-Loop Scoop from the WA State Department of Ecology is available at:
www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/1007002.html

This issue includes:
• E-Mail Vehicle Renewal Notices
• DOC Repairs Used Equipment, Saves Money
• Apply for Tire Removal Funding
• Sea-Tac Grows Recycling Rate
• Adopt-a-Highway Program Looking for Volunteers
• Environmentally Preferable Purchasing
• Green Legislation Signed into Law

This information provided by:
Christine Haun,  clac461@ecy.wa.gov
Department of Ecology
Waste 2 Resources Program
(360) 407-6107

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Issaquah's Sustainability Film Series presents FOOD, Inc., April 29 @ 6pm

Free Event: Sustainability Film Series


Back by popular demand, the City of Issaquah’s Resource Conservation Office (RCO) is hosting the second year of its Sustainability Film Series.


The first event on April 29 will feature “FOOD, Inc.”, in which filmmaker Robert Kenner “lifts the veil” on our nation’s food industry.


“FOOD, Inc.” takes a hard look at the impacts our food choices can have on our health, worker safety and the environment. The movie covers everything from herbicide-resistant soybean seeds to new strains of E. coli. Also learn more about the livelihood of the American farmer, as well as our country’s widespread obesity, particularly among children.


To learn more about the film, click here.


After the film, a panel discussion will be held with local experts and snacks will be provided by Chipotle Mexican Grill.


Event details:
• 6 – 9 p.m. April 29, 2010
o The film starts at 6:30 p.m., but come early for snacks and to talk to exhibitors
• Pickering Barn, 1730 10th Ave. N.W. in Issaquah


Hope you can join us - everyone welcome!

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Pre-Earth Day Event in Seattle

Hi Waste Free Folks,
You are invited to join us in Seattle for a pre-Earth Day Event - an interesting, informative evening. Environmental education partners, important information, a viewing of the Nighline documentary Poisoned Waters, all followed by a fascinating Q&A discussion with experts! The Friday evening, April 16 event starts at 6pm. We expect a packed house so arrive early for best seats and time to visit with our partners and experts!Event details below.
Best,
Kim

“Earth Appreciation Evening,
a pre-Earth Day Event”


Contacts:
Kim Ducoté Arnie Marcus
Kim@ResourceStewards.com Center for Spiritual Living
206-551-4850 (206) 527-8801 x205

The Center for Spiritual Living Presents:

“Earth Appreciation Evening,
a pre-Earth Day Event”


Seattle, WA (March 1, 2010) – In honor of Earth Day 2010, the Center for Spiritual Living will be holding a free environmental education event and showing of the movie “Poisoned Waters” on Friday evening, April 16, 2010.

The educational portion of the event begins at 6pm and attendees can visit our environmental education partner tables to learn about simple ways they can help protect the environment and preserve Puget Sound. From 7:00-8:00 pm we will be showing the movie “Poisoned Waters.” At 8pm a panel of experts will lead a Q&A discussion about the movie.

In “Poisoned Waters” we learn that more than three decades after the Clean Water Act, iconic American waterways such as Puget Sound and the Chesapeake Bay on the East Coast are in perilous condition and facing new sources of contamination.

The goal of “Poisoned Waters” is to educate the community about polluted runoff still flowing in from industry, agriculture, and massive suburban development. Scientists note that many new pollutants and toxins from modern everyday life are already being found in the drinking water of millions of people across the country and pose a threat to fish, wildlife and, potentially, human health. Scientists say the legacy pollutant PCB now threatens the orca whale population that makes its regular home in Puget Sound.

After the movie, a panel of experts will lead a discussion on toxics reduction, storm water runoff, and related environmental topics. Attendees can also speak with a variety of environmental education partners and visit environmental informational tables. Free door prizes will be given away after the movie, and pizza and refreshments will be available for purchase at the event.

“Poisoned Waters” movie & event details:
• 6:00* – 8:30 p.m. Friday, April 16, 2010
• The Center for Spiritual Living
5801 Sand Point Way Northeast, Seattle, WA 98105-2147, (206) 527-8801
www.spiritualliving.org/events
*The movie starts at 7:00 pm, but arrive early to visit the environmental education partners and tabletop displays.

This event is free and everyone is welcome! Bring a friend and learn practical, simple ways to help protect the environment and preserve Puget Sound.

Update: Mercury Lighting Bill passes out of house!

Hi All,
Another step forward in the Waste Free World! Thanks to Lisa Sepanski, King County Solid Waste Division for providing this information.
Enjoy! Kim

Mercury Lighting Product Stewardship Bill Update


ESSB 5543 as amended by House Environmental Health Committee passed the House on March 2 with a 71-27 vote!

Now it goes back to the Senate for a concurrence vote. That's because of the changes made to ESSB 5543 in House ENVH Committee. The deadline for the vote is the end of the session, March 11th. And then of course Governor Gregoire will need to put pen to paper to sign it into law.

A link to bill summary page on Legislature's web site is at: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2009-10/Pdf/Amendments/House/5543-S.E%20AMH%20ENVH%20H5273.2.pdf

An overview of the bill as amended by the House ENVH Committee is attached for your review.

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Thanks to all who continue to support the passage of this bill.

Lisa Sepanski

Lisa.Sepanski@kingcounty.gov
King County Solid Waste Division
201 S. Jackson St, Room 701
Seattle, Wa 98104
Ph. 206 296-4489
Fax 206 296-4475

Monday, February 15, 2010

Recycling Conference - May 23-26, 2010

If you want to learn more about what I consider to be the real "roots" of Sustainability and the World of being Green attend the Washington State Recycling Association http://www.wsra.net/ for the 2010 conference in Vancouver, WA. These folks have been Green for over 30 years - and they really know their stuff!

Washington State Recycling Association's 30th Annual Conference and Trade Show--info & details below:

Annual Conference Scholarship Opportunities are Available
Do you know an undergraduate or graduate student currently enrolled in a college, university, or trade school in Washington State who is thinking about making a career out of recycling? Invite them to see how the recycling industry actually works - from collection and processing to markets and politics. Attached is the link to more information and the application form.
http://www.wsra.net/events/details.asp?Evid=78

Expanded Conference Program
We are excited to announce we have increased the number of plenary sessions available and have added optional tours to Wednesday. We will have a keynote and three plenary sessions this year. Jerry Powell of Recycling Resources will speak to the current state of recycling including the current status of NRC; Regina Hauser of The Natural Step Network will discuss “a strategic approach to being a sustainable business” and Dene Grigar, PHD of WSU Vancouver will have a workshop on social media, “Digital Technology and Culture”.

Early Bird Opportunities: Sponsors and Exhibitors
Sponsors and Exhibitors that register/commit before January 20th will be included in the conference brochure. The brochure will be available on our website and mailed to approximately 1,200 industry experts throughout the state. As a sponsor or an exhibitor you will be included in several promotional pieces related to the conference. Contact the WSRA office to make sure you are included in this expansive marketing opportunity.

Silent Auction Expansion-You can support the WSRA even if you are not attending the conference
This year the silent auction is being expanded and rebranded as the “Sensational Second Chance Silent Auction”. In addition to the fabulous art created from recycling/reuse materials, the silent auction committee is asking industry experts to "think ReGift". This is your chance to donate something brand new or slightly used that you no longer want, but you think someone else might love. Also consider an experience or service you think someone else might appreciate. Items such as weekend getaways, tickets to sporting events, vacation homes, timeshares etc. are very popular. Remember, all proceeds benefit WSRA. If you have an item for the auction, please advise the WSRA office at recycle@wsra.net and we will start a list of items to be auctioned at the conference.

Want more info, please contact: Diana Leland, Member Services Director Washington State Recycling AssociationPhone: 206-244-0311 Fax: 206-244-4413http://www.wsra.net/ dleland@wsra.net

& Thanks for Recycling! Kim

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Closed Loop Scoop News from WA Dept of Ecology

Hi Everyone!

Here is the link to latest news update from the Washington State Department of Ecology: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/1007001.html


Articles include:
• First Year of Electronic’s Recycling
• Beyond Waste Progress Report
• Remanufactured Toner Cartridges
• 2008 Statewide Recycling Rate
• 2010 School Awards Application Period
• Ecology Youth Corps 2009 Outputs
• WSDOT Paper Purchasing
• Litter Hotline, Hot in 2009!

Thanks to an email from Layne Nakagawa from the WA State Dept of Ecology.

Best,
Kim