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Welcome to Seattle's EcoEastside blog - we have solutions for integrating sustainable practices into your business, organization and home operations! These practices are not just good for the environment, but also your bottom line.

Monday, June 11, 2012

Ask Kelly about Kirkland's Green Programs

On a sunny morning at Caffe Rococo this week,  I met with Kirkland's own "Ask Kelly" about Kirkland's Green Programs.   Kelly Ferron, is the Recycling Programs Coordinator for the City of Kirkland Public Works Department.




She is also featured as our Green Champion of the week, so check on the EcoEastside Facebook page for a profile on her own sustainable lifestyle.  The main programs she would like to let more people know about are:


  • Kirkland Green Buisness
  • Kirkland Recycling Options
  • Upcoming Sustainable Education Series


The Kirkland Green Business Program recognizes Kirkland businesses for their green practices.
Currently, Kirkland has 93 businesses in this program and are in a vamping stage to include even more.  The Main Logo has a green outer circle that reads "Kirkland Green Business."  Within is a circle with a stylized picture of the marina.  There are 7 other categories that the business can earn including: Green Building, Waste Reduction and Recycling, Water Conservation, Energy Efficiency, Transportation, Pollution Prevention and Eastside Green Business Challenge participant.

Participating businesses, like Cafe Veloce for instance, are mentioned on the website and in The Fall Business Newsletter.  As you walk around town this summer, look for these businesses.  They have window clings showing they are a Kirkland Green Business and more circles for areas they are green.

Other businesses who wish to join this program do not need to worry if they are not all the way green yet.  Ferron said, "City of Kirkland will help you become green."  This includes site visits, providing convenient recycling bins and signage.

Recycling Options can be found on the Kirkland Recycling and Solid Waste website here, including where to Recycle Household Batteries (7 locations) and CFL bulbs.  Coming this Fall is option to recycle used cooking oil at the North Kirkland Community Center.  The used oil is then transported to Seattle to become biodiesel for local fleets.

Also coming this Fall is the 4-part Sustainable Education Series.   Ferron said, "The series will focus on homelife and creating a sustainable life style."  The 4 topics will be waste reduction, energy efficiency, water conservation including rain barrel construction and local food/ cedar grove compost.

Check back with them as this education series program unfolds.  This can be done on the Kirkland Enviro Facebook page and Kirkland Enviro on Twitter.  Other great sustainable living tips are shared on these sites too.   Also, look for the quarterly newsletter with the next one coming out this Fall and/ or contact the Recycling Hotline: recycling@kirkland.wa.gov or 425-587-3812.



Friday, June 8, 2012

Fabio-ulous Community Events This Month

Together we create community!  This comes in different forms and here are a few places to connect with your fellow Eastside citizens this month.

You may have already heard, Fabio will be in town.  As one of my Facebook friends broadcasted on her status line today: "somebody please go see Fabio for me at the Redmond Whole Foods- June 21st- sadly, i will be out of town."  Yes, he will be there and surely many of us Eastsiders.  Yes?  It happens at the Redmond Whole Foods at 11 a.m.

Later on that day is the Monthly Eastside Green Drinks.  This no-host event overlooking a gorgeous view takes place at 7 p.m. at the NewCastle Golf Course.  More info here.

On Saturday, June 23rd, at Luke McRedmond Landing in Redmond, there will be a Summer Solstice Celebration Potluck hosted by Sustainable Redmond and Redmond Wild.  It will take place from 10:30 to 2 p.m.

Find out when your summer neighborhood network meeting will be (most of them in June) - Kirkland, Bellevue, Redmond.

And speaking of network meetings, announcing to residents in Redmond's Grass Lawn Park Neighborhoods of Sheffield Green, Strattonwood and Sixty-01: there will be a meeting on June 28th at 7 p.m. at Sixty-01's clubhouse.  Please forward this email if you have friends in these neighborhoods to help us get the word out.

Finally, join us online at EcoEastside's Facebook Page.  Along with community updates, we are announcing an Eastside Green Champion each week.