Microsoft's Lean, Green and Accountable Track to Going Carbon Neutral

One of Eastside's Largest Businesses, Microsoft, is taking a big step in Sustainable Business Practices this July by going Carbon Neutral!

I spoke with their Chief Environmental Strategist, Rob Bernard, online today.  He said, "The cost of carbon is to drive behavioral change."

Microsoft is putting an internal price on carbon and this is making carbon neutrality everyone's responsibility at Microsoft.  This includes data centers, software development labs, air travel and office buildings.  Not only will this "infuse" awareness, but it will also establish a discipline at scale across the business.  To support this program, they have the three pillars - Be lean, Be green and Be accountable.

How is it going so far?

"The real test will be 6 to 9 months from now, once it is all rolled out.  Then we will see how its being adopted", said Bernard.   He continued, "So far there are good signs - a keen interest from around the company."

Sustainability champions within the company play an important role in how this program is adopted.  Specifically they are helping to drive the reduction of energy use in buildings by 3-10%.  Bernard said, "The Champions are self-selected.  We were pleased with the number who have volunteered."  Communication with the Champions is done through newsletters, emails and meetings.

Each quarter Microsoft hands out an "Environmental Action Award."  The most recent recipient of this award will be spotlighted soon on EcoEastside's Facebook page.

Reporting carbon footprint and other sustainable practices, like waste diversion, is nothing new for Microsoft.  Bernard said, "It is important to get done, so we do it."  In the process they just happen to be pushing the envelope.  He described it as, "How technology can be leveraged to make better use of all resources."

Other sustainable active programs include:

• Reduction Goals for waste - including a 63 to 80% diversion rate and 95% diversion rate in their dining facilities.  95%!  It is not surprise that Microsoft was one of the Washington State recipients of the 2012 WSRA Recycler of the Year.  Bellevue College and Bellevue School District also received this award for 2012.
• The smarter buildings pilot is predicted to save 1.5 million in 18 months. This takes part in the operations of the building.  "It is being done using technology", said Bernard.
• White Paper - The IT Efficiency Imperative.  
• Carbon Systems - Enterprise Systems Platform (ESP).  Microsoft has been carbon reporting through this carbon disclosure project platform for the last 7 years.  
• They have an internal open forum called MS Green.  This is a self selected email group of about 1000 employees and contractors that discuss mass transit, energy conservation, organic farming and more. 
• and more, check out the Microsoft Environment site here.

Will the three pillars be enough to drive a large corporation like Microsoft to Carbon Neutrality?
Be lean - is taking something of what we are all familiar with efficiency and adding a technology element to the mix -  where better to start then Microsoft?
Be green - Purchasing more renewable energy is going to get easier as more options are opening and the technology is advancing rapidly in this field too.
Be accountable - With an internal price on carbon being set, a quantifiable measure has been added to the picture.  It is a new variable not be taken lightly in daily operations.

It is a track worth following in the coming months.  As they mention in their Carbon Neutral document, "This is a learning process, and we will evolve our approach over time based on results." Keep informed of this journey through the Microsoft Environment blog here.

Meeting to make Redmond a more Walkable and Bike Friendly Community

"How do we get more people walking and riding bikes?"

The Redmond Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee has thought through, advised staff and implemented programs based on this question and as of last night, formally weighed in with Redmond City Council to get their opinions and ideas.  This joint meeting occurred in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

Most recently they have launched the 4th edition of Redmond Bicycling Guide.  The Committee's City Staff Person, Joel Pfundt said, "So far the new map has been well received."

Mayor Marchione, Arnie Tomac, Heidi Angel, Glen Buhlmann, Joel Pfundt and Council Members

A volunteer on the committee and local bike commuter, Glen Buhlmann, presented key things Redmond needs to attain Gold status as a League of American Bicyclists Bike Friendly Community.   Already we have attained Silver status, from commuters like him, the "Fearless Freds", whom are willing to bike in all types of weather and in Redmond's existing bicycle lanes, many of which are on streets with lots of traffic.  Buhlmann has been a regular commuter for 3 years from his Kirkland residence to the Microsoft campus.  Preferring to bike his errands in Redmond as well, "Redmond is a more supportive environment to ride in" he said.

To obtain the Gold Status, some of the points Buhlmann brought up were:

• Coordination and participation with cops.   Since two police officers were in the audience, support has already started on this point.
• More events, like the recent Bike Bash, where streets can be closed off for people biking downtown.  This will enable the "Cautious Calebs" to feel more comfortable on the roads.
• Seniors doing more trips on bicycles.  This brought up the point - we are surrounded by many hills.  While it may be flat in the downtown areas, moving away from this mile or two radius will lead to a hill.  The Advisory Committee will be demo-ing electric assist bikes at the Derby Days.
• Making sure the links are complete.

A second volunteer on the committee, Heidi Angel, presented on the challenges and benefits to being a bike commuter.  For a profile on Heidi, check EcoEastside's Facebook page.  The challenges of living without a car include nighttime riding and traveling to friends homes in more remote areas.  The challenge of nighttime commuting is becoming less she said, "Because of the B line."   

The benefits of biking and walking are:

1. A more active and healthy lifestyle
2. The more bikers and walkers out there the more safer it becomes
3. Reduced traffic
4. Community building

On the 4th benefit, Angel said, "When you are not behind the windows of the car, but instead chugging up some hill and someone is walking by, you are looking them in the eyes instead of being in your own world."

The council members then weighed in on their own thoughts.  The idea of having an app for the bike map was brought up.  To this the Mayor asked Councilman David Carson how much this would cost to make on 3 platforms.  Don't wait for this anytime soon!  Carson said it would cost about "six figures."  For now, the maps can be found online and in many businesses and the library.

Councilman John Stilin brought up concepts behind "Share the Road" and having amiable exchanges between bikers and drivers.  Stilin said, "This is a 2-way education."  Two ideas came from this discussion - the education class choice given for traffic violations and start bike riding education early!  This led to the Bike Rodeo idea, where about 3rd grade aged kids can be educated at school about bike safety.  "...instilling at a young age and having parents there too.  The parents can help instill the confidence in these young riders to go on to be lifelong bike riders" Stilin said.

Does it take fancy bikes or gear?  Councilman Hank Meyers asked Angel, who also happens to be an employee for Redmond REI, what advice she has for potential bikers.  She said, "Ask those who have experienced biking and one doesn't need really expensive gear to make it work."

Have you heard of bike sharing?  Councilman Hank Morgeson said it may be early for Redmond, but it could be done as easily as a swipe of a credit card and the bike would be ready to ride.  There is already a program going on called Blue Bike at Marymoor Park.  The advice to the committee was to be ready for it when the time comes.  "It is on the horizon" said Morgeson.  Pfundt mentioned that Redmond is part of a group setting up a bike share in King County called Puget Sound Bike Share.

The meeting concluded with a feeling of consensus and an invigorating energy in the air.  The Advisory Committee met right afterword with steps on how to keep this momentum going and will be meeting next month.  The committee meets on the second Monday of each month (June 11th at 6:30 p.m.) in the Trestle Room on the first floor of City Hall.  The committee members then parted and headed for their bikes.

What advice would you give to Redmond to get more people on bikes?  What are some of the hurdles you face yourself when thinking about biking to work, school and errands?  For those who have found ways to make it work, what advice would you give to fellow residents and what are your favorite trips?

For more updates and to view the Eastside Green Champions profiles like Angel's, join us on our new Facebook page: EcoEastside.

Go Green with City of Redmond

Recently, Stacey Auer, the Recycling Program Administrator at City of Redmond shared some of the resources the city provides to residents, organizations and businesses.  These include items picked up in curbside carts, to other recycling options for computers, electronics, monitors, televisions, styrofoam packing peanuts, printer cartridges and more.  They are also working with residents and businesses to engage in sustainability beyond recycling.

The latest program now available to residents - in part from a Washington State Dept of Ecology grant is the distribution of EcoKits.  The City's Recycling Program has collaborated with the already existing Impact Redmond Pledge Program.  Residents can fill out the online pledge and receive an EcoKit in the mail for free!

Impact Redmond on-line pledge

The Ecokit contains a reusuable stainless steel water bottle, reusable shopping bag, water conservation faucet aerator, R-trip recycled post-it notepad, Think Redmond brochure, discount card and yes/no recycling brochure, and much more.

We asked a few Redmond residents from different Redmond organizations (Sixty-01 Condo Association, Redmond Wild and Redmond Co-op Preschool) to take the pledge and give us their feedback.  One user said she likes that Redmond is going greener, although there seems to be some grey areas in the pledge and some [areas of being green] that seemed missed.  As a busy mother, her "me time" is her longer showers, but only when she can get them.  And while she does hang her laundry in the warmer months, this would not be practical year-round as the wetter months would not dry the clothes in time.  The missed areas were: use of cloth diapers, less frequent garbage pick-ups, eating vegetarian more than one night a week and driving a hybrid car.

Others agreed it is great that City of Redmond is taking on these iniatives.  "I found the pledging process to be easy and quick.  Sometimes the simple act of participating online, as part of a community, can be a galvanizing force to encourage people to follow through on their intentions.  This program serves as a good reminder that all of our small changes really do add up. Some of the items on the list are easy to do, but the impact can be profound when measured across our community and region."

Is the pledge enough to motivate residents on the Eastside?  We would love to know!  Perhaps for those less time consuming habit changes or even just adding a level of awareness without having to give up the flights to Hawaii altogether!  Either way it is a fun and easy-to-use tool, a way to be part of the Redmond community and in the end something will be coming in the mail for you.

For general curb-side, food scrap and other recycling information, the city has a great information source through their website here.  Auer said, "All residents can place food scraps in their yard debris carts to be composted!  All food, including cheese and bones can go in the cart."  In fact, nearly 30% of household garbage is food and compostable paper which can easily recycled into compost.   This material is sent to Cedar Grove Composting which is then turned back into dirt/compost at a stellar rate.  The process is interesting enough and can be viewed here.

Food Scrap Recycling Tips:

• To keep your yard waste cart clean, line the bottom with newspaper and layer the food scraps with yard waste.  
• In the kitchen, a tight-fitted collection container works great.  To keep it clean, line the bottom with a layer of shredded paper or paper towel, add a small amount of baking soda if needed and finish with an approved compostable bag liner.  Auer said, "Redmond residents can get a free food scraps kitchen bin by calling Waste Management at 1-800-592-9995."
• Visit gogreenscene.com for a list of approved compostable products.  For example the cups from some of the leading coffee shops around town are not compostable because they have a lining of plastic on the inside.  However, if you do find the compostable cups, they work as great collection containers in the kitchen and can be thrown in the yard waste bin too!  One resident uses this cup method to collect the scraps that can not be composted in the garden, i.e. bones and meat, but can go in the yard waste bin.

For businesses and organizations who are ready to expand their recycling programs, City of Redmond distributes a brochure from Waste Management that has these tips:

1. Form a Green Team
2. Determine materials you will recycle
3. Contact your business or property manager
4. Contact the City of Redmond Recycling Program for Free recycling assistance.
5. Coordinate collections with janitorial crew and/or staff
6. Educate and motivate staff
7. Maintain and expand your recycling efforts

The flip side of recycling is using the post-consumer material from these markets.  Look for products that have post-consumer on their label and the higher to percent the better.  A list of local office suppliers includes but is not limited to: Costco, Ducky's (Office), Keeney's Office Plus, Office Depot, PC Recycle, Rebinder, Staples and Target.  Cedar Grove Compost can be found bagged at PCC Natural Markets.

After taking the pledge at: www.impactredmond.com we would love to hear your thoughts in the comment section about Going Green in Redmond!  What tip would you give to other Residents to making the green way the easy way? -  i.e. placing the reusable bags on the door handle to remember to take them back to the car on the next trip.  Thanks Suzanne for that one, she says they can't be missed that way!

Technical Note: If after submitting your pledge registration and not finding the email confirmation in your inbox, check your junk mail folder.