What Stinks?

A parody about loving and hating the recent WM strike.

For most of us Eastsiders, the strike was a complete inconvenience with reminders of missed pick-ups lining the streets in colors of blue and grey bins.  By the end of the strike the bins lids were wedged up high with a surplus of recycling and cardboard boxes were spilling out the sides.  While the value of this strike was shown for the workers, do we have any indirect value that came out of this strike beyond a newfound appreciation for someone regularly taking our trash away.  These hypothetical characters will draw it out and you can decide.

Resident 1:  I recycle and food scrap so much my trash didn't even need to be taken out.  What strike?  I didn't notice a thing.

R 2:  Yaah, well you are not the one who had to walk by the yard waste/ compost bin all the time!  Did you see what was growing in there and oh man, the stink.  Sheesh I mean, I heard district composting is the next thing on the horizon, but does that process have to take place right here in the neighborhood bin!

R3:  Rats about that!

R4:  Let's just dump the compost bins in the trash so we don't have to deal with that "fact of nature."

R5:  We could if we had any room in the trash, those workers are on strike this week too!

R1:  Recycling is the same, it just keeps piling up.  Glad I don't have the household job of having to stuff the next lot in there.  Although, I'm amazed how much could fit!

R4:  Wow, we could actually save money if we only needed things picked up every other week.  Maybe this strike is not such a bad thing.  If we sort all the stinky "compostable" trash into bins that are picked up every week - for free - the rest can be picked up every other week.

R5: The other recycling would still need to be picked up every week because everyone knows that as "Northwesteners", we are awesome recyclers.

R1:  I have heard that too, but last week I was sure glad to reclaim a whole bunch of cardboard that was just sitting there for weeks.  It ended up being used as liners for the rows in between the pea patches.  The crew that normally picked up garbage had some extra time on their hands and filled in the mulch on top.  Less weeds between rows and a very nice look all with "reclaimed" resources.

R2:  It may look pretty, but I still can not get those images out of my head of what the food scrap bin looks like right now.  The looks of that would even scare the rats away!

R3:  I can imagine it now, the rats go on strike, compost bin not emptied in a month.

What do you think?  Any indirect value from the strike?

A:  Just a realization of how much our household/community accumulates in a couple week period.
B:  Ready to downsize my garbage or have less frequent pick-ups,  It wasn't so bad.
C:  My one-way ticket has been purchased for next time the "s" word might come up.
D:  I'm in the wrong profession.

SolarFest 2012

"You are just a bunch of hippies - Why would you want to ban me - I am an easy going guy - I just like to float around in the ocean." These were some of the quotes that Bag Man was telling an amused audience at SolarFest 2012, Shoreline's Renewable Energy & Sustainable Living Fair.  He and Bag Lady were stealing the looks as they dramatically talked about their potential peril.  

Bag Man, containing no less than 500 bags, the average amount a typical household goes through in one year.

Bag Man and Bag Lady

When the attention was not on them, the crowd was checking out the booths in this 9th annual event.  In addition to the numerous solar panels that lined the rows, there were a large showing of electric and hybrid cars, electric-assist bikes, zero-waste info stations, cedar grove composting info, sustainable architecture designs and much, much more including a few of my favorites described below.

"Close the loop" with Cedar Grove Composting

Recycling Options at the Event

Looking for a project for your kids to do this summer?  Ready for them to take care of their own lunch one day?  All you need is a cardboard box, black paint, plexiglass or sheet of clear plastic, pot and a few cans of vegetables and soup.  Line the flaps of the box with aluminum foil, paint the inside of the box black and place a piece of plexi-glass on top and voila, its a solar oven.  

DIY Solar Cooker

Another DIY project, but perhaps a little more complicated was the pedal cars.  There are directions on the internet somewhere because Father and Son duo, Barry and Geiger, figured it out using recycled bicycle parts and PVC pipes.  Take a ride in one of those pedal cars and you won't want to return it anytime soon.  

DIY Pedal Car using recycled parts

Out for a ride with Geiger at the wheel.

A home built from a reclaimed shipping container.  It may be small, but contains all the comforts of home.  The Cargo Cottage only costs $35,000.  This would work great as an office, studio, guest space or Mother In-Law suite. 

A home - built from reclaimed shipping containers

Inside shipping container home is a sink/toilet.

This is one of those gem events that enough people know about it to make it happen, but the crowds are not too big for all the attractions worth seeing.  We had a table seat to eat our lunch while the Not-Its were playing on stage, the kids were able to check out all the kids attractions (solar match-box car give away, car tracks, bird seed feeder craft, bike rodeo showing safe riding and solar water fountains) and parking was a cinch.  The SolarFest is produced by Shoreline Solar Project.

And of course, the SolarFEST 2012 would not have been complete without the addition of Bag Man and Bag Lady.  To them: You were a wonderful addition!  Hope to see you at many more events protesting the possibility of another city (state!) banning you.

Feeling the love from Bag Man

Senator Chase's ride

DIY bird feeder using a toilet paper tube, peanut butter and bird seed.

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.

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.

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.