Waste Free Blog

Does the recycling symbol on your product mean that it is recyclable in your city? In a word - No!

2011-11-30T15:12:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

I frequently find myself defending the sanctity and delicacy of recycling programs. Almost every day I patiently answer questions as to why something can, or more often cannot, be recycled or composted. People frequently and emphatically say to me "Well there is a little recycling symbol on this product - so that means I can recycle it ... Right?!" Well in a word - No! Just because a manufacturer has decided to do a little "greenwash marketing" and put a recycling symbol on their product does not mean it is recyclable in your local 'hood. Granted the item might be recyclable somewhere in the world - but that somewhere may not be in your favorite recycling bin!

So here is the deal - a manufacturer wants you to feel good, and a little greener, about buying their product. They can, and will, put almost "anything" on their packaging that will serve them best! That "anything" will benefit them and their bottom line; and perhaps not you and most definitely NOT your area's recycling program. These inaccurately labeled products wind up at the recycling center and cost a lot of money to pull out of the recycling stream - this is called "contamination". A little bit of contamination can cause a huge headache at the recycling/composting facilities. Contamination undermines our programs and cost us more in the longrun by garbage and recycling collection fee increases.

One example is plastics - plastic wrappers, plastic containers, plastic everything - yuck! We eat out of it, we drink out of it and it's now contaminating our oceans (Google - The Great Pacific Garbage Patch for a real wake up call!) Almost all Plastics all have little recycling symbols on them and many mean nothing! In most of the Puget Sound area we now recycle by shape of the plastic containers - bottles, jugs, dairy tubs ... but each city/county area takes something different! More confusion! The best advice I have to give you - is save the recycling instructions your city/county or recycling service provider sends you every year. Oops! You accidentally recycled your instructions (perhaps thinking it was junk mail ), there's a remedy for that too, waste free recycling instructions can be found online through your service provider or city/county solid waste division.

Oh and one more thing - let's work together to let manufactures know that we want them to quit sending us garbage! Learn all you can about a topic called Producer and/or Manufacturer's Responsibility. This is a concept where environmental and recycling industry experts work with Manufacturer's (well the ones that step up to the green plate anyway) so they will do a better job of choosing materials to manufacturer their products from that are really, truly recyclable! Check out the link below and/or sign up for the Northwest Product Stewardship Council Newsletter: http://www.productstewardship.net/
It is a great place to start! Thanks for recycling and reducing waste!
Kim

Join us for "Bag it" at Issaquah's Sustainability Film Series, Weds, Nov 2, 6-9pm

2011-10-20T11:19:00.000-07:00

Hello Waste Free Folks,

You are invited to the City of Issaquah's free screening of "Bag it" at the Sustainability Film Series. This is our final film for 2011, and a great film for all ages!

With plastic use always on the increase in our world: touching our food and drinking water, blowing across the land, floating and sinking in our waterways - this film will educate, empower and enlighten all! Details below - I hope to see you there!

Thanks for doing your part to reduce waste!
Kim

ISSAQUAH (Oct 19, 2011): Continuing the City of Issaquah’s series of FREE film nights on Sustainability, the documentary ‘Bag It’ will be shown Wednesday evening, November 2, 2011.

‘Bag It’ follows “everyman” Jeb Berrier as he tries to make sense of our dependence on plastic bags. Although his quest starts out small, Jeb soon learns that the problem extends past landfills to oceans, rivers and ultimately human health.

The average American uses about 500 plastic bags each year, for about twelve minutes each. This single-use mentality has led to the formation of a floating island of plastic debris in the Pacific Ocean more than twice the size of Texas.

The film explores these issues and identifies how our daily reliance on plastic threatens not only waterways and marine life, but human health, too. Two of the most common plastic additives are endocrine disruptors, which have been shown to link to cancer, diabetes, autism, attention deficit disorder, obesity and infertility.

After the movie, a panel of experts will lead an informative discussion on plastics and other related environmental topics. Refreshments, environmental experts, informational tables and door prizes will be available to attendees.

Event details:
• 6:30-9 p.m. Nov 2 (come early at 6 p.m. to speak with exhibitors)
• King County Library Service Center Community Room
• 960 Newport Way N.W., Issaquah (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 425-837-3400.

"BAG IT" - Is Your Life Too Plastic? Fri, Sept 9, 6:30pm in Wallingford, Free film & panel discussion ..

2011-09-06T12:29:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Marcia Rutan, passionate environmentalist extraordinaire from Seattle Public Utilities, for the free Meaningful Movies event info below. This film event looks great with an excellent lineup of local speakers conducting a panel discussion too. I have heard great things about this movie.

Honestly our society needs to wake up about plastics and how these petroleum based products are polluting and destroying the earth....and contaminating our bodies... Let's all learn together so we can all do our small part, to help repair the bigger picture. I hope to see you there! Details below.

Sustainably yours,
Kim Ducote

"BAG IT" - Is Your Life Too Plastic? This Fri, Sept 9, 6:30-9:30pm Film & panel discussion in Wallingford ... An evening focused on positive solutions at a local level! ...AND A SELECTION OF SHORT FILMS STARTING AT 6:30!

Please join us following the film for a community conversation with our special guests:

• Michael O'Brien, Seattle City Councilmember

• Diana Crane, Director of Sustainability with PCC

• Trudy Bialic, Director of Public Affairs with PCC

• Jill Mcintyre Witt with Transition Whatcom

• Heather Trim with Zero Waste Seattle

• Dick Lilly with Seattle Public Utilities

• Leo Brodie with Transition Seattle

• Cathy Tuttle with Sustainable Wallingford

BAG IT (65 min, Suzan Beraza, 2010) is a film that examines our society's use and abuse of plastic. The film focuses on plastic as it relates to our society's "throw away" mentality, our culture of convenience, our over consumption of unnecessary, disposable products and packaging -- things that we use one time and then, without another thought, throw them away. Where is away? Away is over-flowing landfills, clogged rivers, islands of trash in our oceans, and even our very own toxic bodies. The main character in the film travels the globe on a fact-finding mission -- not realizing that after his simple resolution, plastic will never look the same way again.

Join our guests following the film for an evening focused how we can impact this issue at the local level!

Learn how you can get involved in the citywide/statewide movement to ban disposable plastic bags. For additional information, go to www.environmentwashington.org.

Download the flyer http://www.bridgings.org/images/Flyers/BagIt_Flyer.pdf Please help us get the word out. Thanks!

For more information on the Transition Movement, go to www.transitionseattle.com or www.transitionus.org. For more information on Sustainable Wallingford and what’s happening locally, go to http://greenwallingford.ning.com/.

(Event is FREE and open to the public! ...but Donations are kindly accepted).

LOCATION:

Keystone Congregational Church

5019 Keystone Place North

Seattle, 98103 (in Wallingford)

(0.4 miles west of the I-5 NE 50th St. Exit - Metro Bus Routes 16, 26 & 44)

Directions can be found at www.meaningfulmovies.org

Hey HP and Canon – make it easier to recycle printers too!

2011-08-08T15:49:00.000-07:00

Hi Waste Free Folks,

Below is a guest post from Suellen Mele, Zero Waste Washington’s Program Director. Zero Waste Washington advocates for the design and production of healthier, safer products that are continually recycled and reused.

Personally - I LOVE this organization and their new post-card project (which is free to you!). I am especially excited about adding printers after having gone through FOUR printers in the past year - OUCH! The first printer quit after almost 8 years of use (pretty good, but could be better!) However, each subsequent printer purchased broke after very minimal usage (ARGH - right in the middle of deadlines too!) Fortunately two of the printers were still on warranty, however, the most recent purchase (Dec 2010) still needs to be returned sometime this week (life is busy, eh?). Needing a "backup printer plan" for my business, I broke down and purchased the store's "extended warranty" ... I hope it is worth what I paid for it.

So in my "four printers in one year" opinion, Zero Waste Washington's latest campaign to add printers into the ever growing and expanding electronics market for take-back is imperative for the future of waste prevention and sustainability. Also (listen up producers) this is a great marketing and sales niche for responsible producers and manufacturers that really do care about their customers, our environment and above all doing "the right thing".

Check out the guest post below, send in a post-card and support businesses and non-profits working to reduce overall waste by asking manufacturers and producers to be more responsible.

Oh and feel free to send me interesting or important items for the blog, and let me know what you think about any blog post - anytime!

Best always, Kim

Have a computer or TV to recycle? There’s a free and convenient solution! Have a printer to recycle? It’s not so easy.

That’s why Zero Waste Washington is asking the two biggest printer manufacturers in the U.S. for free and convenient recycling programs for desktop printers. You can join us by sending postcards asking HP and Canon to step up and do more.
We’re asking for something called producer responsibility, and it’s already happening for computers and TVs here in Washington. Throughout the state, you can recycle your computers, monitors, and TVs through the E-Cycle Washington program. Zero Waste Washington fought hard for this manufacturer funded program and, as a result, over 39 million pounds of electronics were recycled last year. That’s about 2,200 units diverted from landfills and incinerators each and every day!
With this approach, manufacturers take responsibility for their products from “cradle to cradle,” including providing and paying for recycling programs. Residents, small business and schools can drop off their unwanted computers, monitors and TVs for free recycling at about 260 locations throughout Washington. The manufacturers have agreed to recycle responsibly, which helps keep our discarded computers and TVs – that contain mercury, lead and other toxic materials - from being sent to developing countries. It’s good for the economy, too. E-Cycle Washington has brought additional recyclers to the state and created close to 80 new jobs.

But printers aren’t collected as part of the E-Cycle Washington program. The 2006 state legislation that mandated the program didn’t include printers or other peripherals. While some manufacturers have voluntarily set up printer mail-back programs (often for a fee), that just isn’t very convenient for most of us.
Zero Waste Washington thinks printer manufacturers can do better! We are working to have producer responsibility for desktop printers in Washington. You can help us make it happen! Please ask HP and Canon to make it easier and more convenient for consumers in Washington to take back printers for recycling. You can click here to sign on and we’ll send postcards to HP and Canon on your behalf.

Here’s one final reason to support producer responsibility. When manufacturers pay to recycle the products they make, they have a financial incentive to design products that are less toxic, longer lasting, and more recyclable. And that means less waste and greener, safer stuff for all of us.

Sign the Call for Producer Responsibility!

2011-04-27T10:36:00.000-07:00

Less waste - whether it is recyclable, compostable or garbage is the real answer.

However, manufacturer's and producer's are making more packaging and more "wasteful stuff"everyday (think about the new, single-cup Keurig Coffee Machines, with all those tiny little plastic cups full of grinds heading to a landfill near you ....ARGH!) The answer? Producer Responsibility - read more below from a great organization - Zero Waste Washington: http://zerowastewashington.org/
Thanks to Suellen Mele & Eva Dale, Zero Waste Washington and for this great information.

Do you think products should be designed to be non-toxic, easier to reuse and recycle, and longer lasting? Do you want manufacturers to be stewards of the products and packaging they make? Join a growing movement by adding your voice to Zero Waste Washington’s Call for Producer Responsibility. To sign on and read the full statement, visit:
http://zerowastewashington.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=40:a-call-for-producer-responsibility&catid=4:producer&Itemid=65

Producer responsibility means that manufacturers step up to take responsibility from “cradle to cradle” for the products they make. E-Cycle Washington is a great example. That program is recycling huge quantities of toxic computers, monitors and TVs from residents, schools and small businesses – all paid for and provided by the producers who make the products.

By signing the Call for Producer Responsibility, you will help us let manufacturers know that residents want producer responsibility here in Washington.

Please sign on and be heard.
Thank you!
Suellen Mele and Eva Dale
Zero Waste Washington

P.S. While you’re on our website, take a look at our campaigns and how you can get involved. Zero Waste Washington has been involved with breakthrough recycling programs in Washington State for close to 30 years. We’re championing a responsible and comprehensive approach to “stuff,” and see producer responsibility as an important part of the equation.

"Save our Land, Save our Towns", free film event in Issaquah, Weds, March 30, 6-9pm

2011-03-18T11:58:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!

Growing in popularity and back for our 3rd year, please join us for Issaquah's next sustainability film series event showing of: "Save our Land, Save our Towns" Wednesday, March 30, from 6-9pm at the King County Library Services Center (960 Newport Way NW, Issaquah).

"Save our Land, Save our Towns" is about saving our towns and countryside. The program follows the quest of small town newsman, Tom Hylton, to discover why America's towns have declined and what we can do to revive them. Hylton explores Depression-era policies that gave rise to sprawl, as well as talks to builders about laws that encourage sprawl.

After the film, a panel of experts, including representatives from The Cascade Land Conservancy, will lead a discussion about the film and the Issaquah Central Area Plan process.

Locally, The Cascade Land Conservancy has led efforts to conserve forests, farms, shorelines, parks and natural areas. Informational tables, as well as refreshments & door prizes, will be available to attendees.

Event details:
• 6 – 9 p.m. on Weds, March 30, 2011
o The film starts at 6:30 p.m., but come early for snacks and to talk to exhibitors
• King County Library Services Center (960 Newport Way NW) in Issaquah

For more information, call the Issaquah Resource Conservation Office (RCO) at 425-837-3400, or call me a call at 206-551-4850.

Sustainably yours,
Kim Ducote
206-551-4850

Closed Loop Scoop, Feb 2011 - WA Department of Ecology

2011-02-04T12:13:00.001-08:00

Hi Waste Free Folks:
Here is the latest Closed Loop Scoop publication from the Washington State Department of Ecology. Topics include:

• Clark County Came Up With Innovative Solutions
• Only Rain Down the Drain
• Lewiston, ID Public Works Uses Glass Crusher
• Shingles in Paving Lead to Promising Results
• State′s Recycling Rate Holds Steady
• Solid Waste In Washington State 19th Annual Report Available
• Cash Awards Available for Sustainable School Projects

Thanks to Christine Haun, WA DOE for sending this publication along.

Happy Reducing through Waste Prevention,
Kim

Recyclable vs. Compostable = explaining coated and uncoated cardboard and paper

2011-01-21T15:42:00.000-08:00

A facility manager recently asked me this question:
Can you please explain to me the difference between coated and uncoated cardboad and paper. I know you explained this to me during our meeting and it was a great simple explanation, but I can't seem to recall. Since we started our food collection program I've been getting a lot of questions from the tenants about how to identify the differences. Thanks.

Great question and one that is causing a lot of confusion these days! I will start off with two simple tips, then explain them in detail:

1) Polycoated means plastic coated, polycoated items can often be recycled but never composted.
2) Waxed items can be composted, but never recycled.

Coated materials are typically poly-coated, poly means plastic, so essentially they are plastic coated materials that keep moisture in, or out, depending on the product. Think frozen food boxes, milk cartons, juice cartons and even cardboard boxes that need to keep the products inside of them dry. If these items were “paper only” without a coating they would leak, or allow moisture in as the case may be. Items like coffee cups and paper plates are often polycoated, to stop them from leaking onto our laps while driving or enjoying a picnic. Polycoated materials can frequently be recycled, but never composted, because the poly film doesn’t degrade, or disperse, in the composting process – and who wants poly (plastic) compost in their organic garden!

Items like the Chinet brand of paper plates are not polycoated, neither are the very thin, plain (not shiny) white paper plates. These items CAN be put into the compost bin – because they do not have a polycoat. Waxed items can be composted - Dixie cups and waxed paper are good examples. Wax is acceptable in the compost bin and breaks down in the system.

Further confusing most folks, waxed items can never be recycled because the wax comes off during the paper pulping process (pulping = think of a huge blender with paper and water swirling around at 100mph) and the wax adheres to the soon to be new paper/cardboard, making it impossible to print on these items.

When in doubt as to whether an item is polycoated or not, take a photo, or save the item, and ask your service provider to look at it and let you know for sure. Compost and/or Recycling service providers are very good at determining whether an item is polycoated, uncoated, waxed – or garbage!

Let me know if you have additional questions. I am always happy to help!

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

2010-09-08T14:59:00.000-07:00

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

Closed-Loop Scoop - the latest edition

2010-08-05T11:32:00.000-07:00

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.

Newsletter - NW Product Stewardship Council

2010-06-09T13:06:00.000-07:00

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.

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

2010-05-20T08:37:00.000-07:00

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.

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

2010-05-11T09:50:00.000-07:00

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)

Closed-Loop Scoop Dept of Ecology May newsletter

2010-05-06T12:20:00.000-07:00

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

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

2010-04-15T20:24:00.000-07:00

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!

Pre-Earth Day Event in Seattle

2010-03-03T10:51:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-03-03T10:34:00.001-08:00

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

Recycling Conference - May 23-26, 2010

2010-02-15T20:21:00.000-08:00

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

Closed Loop Scoop News from WA Dept of Ecology

2010-02-11T17:15:00.000-08:00

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