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Best Workplaces for Recycling and Waste Reduction 2009
Sixty-six businesses in King County this year are named Best Workplaces for Recycling and Waste Reduction. Expanded recycling programs, Green Teams, food scrap collection and use of bio-fuels demonstrate how businesses can dramatically increase recycling and reduce waste. Click on the business names below to read about their successes, and read some advice from our top recyclers (PDF, 67 K) of 2009 on how to improve the recycling practices of your workplace. You can also view complete details about our 2008 and 2007 award winners. Note: all links are external REGION: NORTH
Alexa's Café and Catering Inc.Web site: http://www.alexascafe.com Alexa’s Café and Catering Inc. completes the recycling loop in a perfect manner. Food scraps from their restaurant are collected and composted by Cedar Grove Composting, who in turn provides the compost that enriches the soil used to grow the flowers they use for all their restaurant tables and catering events. For the past ten years, Alexa’s has been dedicated to recycling, and it shows in the depth and breadth of their program. The business reduces packaging as much as possible, and uses recycled content or compostable packaging for their catered events. They have also been able to educate their employees by contracting Cedar Grove to help train their staff about recycling food waste. They encourage recycling at all of their catered events, and when feasible, will bring back recyclables to ensure they are properly disposed. As a result of increased recycling and composting they have been able to reduce the size or collection of their dumpster. Alex’s Café and Catering Inc. is currently exploring a partnership with Food Lifeline to divert leftover food from their restaurants and catered events, thus helping to feed hungry families as well as reduce waste. Advice to Others: "Recycling is a simple step in the process of a day. We encourage everyone to live consciously and think before they put anything in the general garbage can." Region: North | Best Workplaces Map The Herbfarm, LLCWeb site: http://www.theherbfarm.com The Herbfarm offers a seasonally unique menu of Northwest foods which they make themselves. Their home made products include breads, pastas, cheeses, and butter. The Herbfarm uses their left over bread and whey to feed the pigs and chickens whose eggs are used to make their pasta. The pigs become dinner and they use everything except for the squeal. What the animals don’t eat they turn to compost which is put on the gardens to grow the herbs and vegetables used for the restaurant. They also use the ash from their wood burning stove to fertilize their potatoes on the farm. By buying local food and receiving deliveries by bicycle from their farm, they are reducing their carbon footprint. The staff is aware, informed and active in support of all aspects of their recycling services. The Herbfarm also recycles cans, paper, plastics, cooking oil, etc. The restaurant also helps reduce their waste by giving their damaged china glassware to the staff for home use. The unwanted china glassware may also be sold online or through the restaurant to staff and guests. The Herbfarm is a returning award winner of Best Workplaces for Recycling. Region: North | Best Workplaces Map In Harmony Sustainable LandscapesWeb site: http://www.inharmony.com/index.html In Harmony Sustainable Landscapes is built for the environment and that is why they have earned recognition for the second year in a row as a best recycling workplace. In Harmony Sustainable Landscapes provides sustainable landscapes through eco-friendly practices. All of their employees are educated about the company’s recycling efforts and are encouraged to participate and add to the efforts. As a result of employee interaction with recycling programs they now have compost worm bins for food scraps and shredded paper. In addition to glass, cans, paper, and plastic, all batteries, electronics, light bulbs, Styrofoam, scrap metal and wood pallets are also collected for recycling or proper disposal. In Harmony Sustainable Landscapes helps reduce waste by reusing paper for internal copies and requiring documents be printed double sided. They also purchase a minimum of 30% post consumer recycled content for office products. As a result of their increased recycling and waste reduction they have also been able to reduce their garbage collection. Advice to Others: “Empower your employees to get better… and waste reduction saves money”. Region: North | Best Workplaces Map Northshore Utility DistrictWeb site: http://www.nud.net Encompassing nearly 18 square miles at the northeast end of Lake Washington in King County, Northshore Utility District is dedicated to providing water and wastewater service in an environmentally conscious manner. In particular, Northshore Utility District is dedicated to minimizing the amount of water that is wasted or lost due to misuse and system leakage. They have successfully reduced the amount of lost water to less than one half of one percent over the past year – well below state and national averages. In addition to saving water Northshore Utility District reduces waste in all areas of their operation by recycling paper, plastic, glass, cans, scrap metal, light bulbs, motor oil, antifreeze and more. Advice to Others: "Communicate with all employees and value what your co-workers say. The opinions and suggestions of staff are very important in creating a well rounded program." Shoreline Community CollegeWeb site: http://www.shoreline.edu/ Shoreline Community Collegeis a Best Recycling Workplace for the second year in a row. The school continues to offer an excellent academic education as well as an active recycling campaign for their 12,000 students. The roughly 1000 dedicated faculty and staff are committed to the educational success as well as recycling practices to all students. The school has kept in place all the recycling and reuse practices from last year such as recycling paper, glass, cans, and plastic. Along with those recyclables, Shoreline Community College also recycles food scraps, plastic wrap and wood pallets. By setting recycling goals the school has been able to monitor and help ensure the effectiveness of their program. The students and faculty have improved upon their recycling practices by including new 12” x 18” recycling signage posters throughout the campuses receptacles. The bins have also been strategically placed to allow for easier and more efficient recycling. Shoreline Community College has also made efforts to reduce waste by purchasing and using a minimum of 30% post-consumer recycled content office products. The school has also been able to reduce waste by reusing mailing boxes, envelopes, surplus furniture, and other durable items. Advice to Others: "We suggest that businesses get their employees involved in creating recycling goals for the years, with achievable and measurable standards that identify what and how the goals are going to be completed. The goals and associated standards should be identified no later that September 2009 so there is time to work on them by spring of 2010." Region: North | Best Workplaces Map REGION: EAST
Accents Et ceteraWeb site: http://www.accentsetc.com A local Redmond gift basket business, Accents Et cetera has a strong recycling ethic throughout. Their continued effort in recycling and waste reduction earned them recognition again this year. They have kept in place all of the previous reuse and recycle policies from last year, and have been able to purchase more products with recycled content. They discovered that many of the things already in use had significant recycled content, such as tissue paper, paper shred for gift baskets, and cardboard boxes. Gift baskets will soon be filled using stuffed animals that are made entirely from recycled water bottles, many of their eco-friendly gift options contain locally produced foods, and organic cotton is used in their baby toys and clothing. They also reduce their amount of waste by using biodegradable cellophane and paper raffia, and canvas and string bags in their packaging. As a result of more clients requesting eco friendly gift sets, Accents Et cetera has created an "Eco-Friendly Options" category on their Web site. In their offices, Accents Et cetera offers paperless billing and instead of printing brochures or a catalogue, shoppers are directed to their Web site. They also now use 100% post consumer recycled paper for their printer, and recycled paper towels and toilet paper in the bathroom. Advice to Others: "Pick one goal each month, quarter, or year and build upon each success. We just started a program to compost all of our paper towels, tissues, floral scraps and food waste. It takes time for everyone to remember to use the different bins now, but eventually it will be second nature and we will have almost no garbage at all. Also, let your vendors know that you value eco friendly options to purchase. Many more are now available and the quality is increasing while the price differential is closing." Region: East | Best Workplaces Map Acosta Sales & MarketingWeb site: http://www.acosta.com Styrofoam™ peanuts and coffee grounds collection are only two aspects of Acosta Sales and Marketing’s office recycling program. Working with the City of Bellevue, the business has implemented an effective environmental program throughout its office, and as a result of their increased recycling, have reduced the number of times their dumpster is emptied each week. The business provides recycling information that their fifty employees can use at work and at home. In addition to recycle bins next to all workstations and next to every garbage bin, Acosta Sales and Marketing offers a reuse station for old office supplies, and cell phones and old toner cartridges are recycled. Their coffee grounds and food waste are collected for composting. Acosta Sales and Marketing has also switched their cleaning supplies over to green products. To promote conservation efforts Acosta Sales and Marketing gives out reusable grocery bags to everyone as well as encouraging employees to shut their lights off when not in use. Advice to Others: “We suggest that businesses be persistence with recycling and be sure to have group involvement.” Region: East | Best Workplaces Map Acupuncture & Chiropractic Integrative Clinic (ACI)Web site: http://www.aciclinic.com/default.aspx Acupuncture & Chiropractic Integrative (ACI) is a Kirkland based clinic committed to their patients’ health and to the health of the planet. ACI has reduced its ecological footprint by reducing consumption, reusing materials, recycling, and using energy saving products. ACI offers recycle bins for paper, plastic, glass, and cans in break rooms. Toner cartridges, batteries and wood pallets recycling are part of their program, and they also offer a take back program for customers’ plastic bags. Single use water bottles are not offered in their office. As a result of their recycling efforts, they have been able to reduce the size of their garbage collection container. Acupuncture & Chiropractic Integrative Clinic is a City of Kirkland Green Business member. Region: East | Best Workplaces Map AllyisWeb site: http://www.allyis.com/ Allyis is a Kirkland-based workplace technology company that has continued to make improvements in recycling and waste reduction, earning them recognition as a Best Workplace for Recycling two years in a row. In 2009, they greened 80% of their office supplies, which included switching from 30% recycled printer paper to 100% post-consumer waste, non-chlorine recycled paper. They created a gently used office supplies area that helps them reuse materials and keeping them out of the landfill. Allyis also switched their printers to a default duplex-printing setting. The company also held a Green Seminar to provide information to their employees on incorporating greener habits at home. Allyis has a “Greener” discussion board, resources list, and blog on their company intranet, where employees can ask questions, give suggestions, and share ideas with each others. A recycling event at their office park collected 10 lbs. of batteries, 8 cell phones, 74 computers and laptops, 125 lbs. of miscellaneous bulk electronics, 34 Electronics/peripherals, 9 monitors, 5 televisions, and 41 shredded hard drives. Advice to Others:“By greening up 80% of our office supplies, we ended up saving money. Check out your green office supply options and you might be surprised.” Region: East | Best Workplaces Map CDMWeb site: http://www.cdm.com Founded in 1947, CDM provides consulting, engineering, construction and operations service to clients around the globe. CDM’s continued recycling and waste reduction efforts and improvements have earned them a Best Place for Recycling for the third year in a row. They have made improvements to their environmental program by including commercial compost collection in addition to the standard recycling program. Food scraps and other organic waste are recycled in the compost bins that are located in common areas of the office and emptied on a regular basis. The company now generates significantly less garbage and estimates their overall recycling rate at 70%. The CDM Green Committee sets goals and tracks the progress of the recycling programs. Employees receive recycling information during orientation and are kept current with changes in recycling programs and guidelines via email updates and monthly staff meetings. CDM provides appropriately-sized recycling bins next to workstations, printers and copiers. Paper that can be reused is collected and used for printing draft documents or to create scrap paper notepads. CDM also recycles plastic, glass, cans, wood pallets, scrap metal, toner cartridges and electronic equipment. The Committee has worked closely with building management to establish and control the success of sustainability programs. CDM’s commitment also extends to the use of such items as reusable dishware, glassware and flatware, plus old office materials. Advice to Others: “Establishing a Green Committee is essential to keep sustainability programs active and visible, provide continuous training and education on recycling programs and obtain buy-in and participation from the staff.” Region: East | Best Workplaces Map CH2M HILLWeb site: http://www.ch2m.com/corporate CH2M HILL incorporates people, procedures, and work practices to continuously improve their environmental performance; this has earned them recognition as a Best Recycling Workplace for three years in a row. Primary recycling aspects of their service-oriented businesses include the purchase, use, and disposal of recyclable materials and durable office equipment, such as paper, office furnishings, and other products. Since their waste and recyclables are collected along with those of other tenants in the same building, they cannot be weighed separately. Therefore, they measure what comes in and adds environmental criteria to their procurement and purchasing contracts. CH2M HILL monitors the recycled content paper they purchase, and works to recycle office supplies and furnishings among their offices and project sites in King County. They have expanded the office’s electronic waste recycling program which includes obsolete computer parts, cell phones, and CDs. This year they added recycling stations for batteries. CH2M HILL also purchased water bottles for staff in lieu of providing bottled water. Advice to Others: "Small steps, multiplied by many CH2M HILL employees, add up to meaningful environmental impact reductions." Region: East | Best Workplaces Map Chameleon TechnologiesWeb site: http://www.chameleontechinc.com Chameleon Technologies has served the Puget Sound's high-tech business community since 2000, matching technically skilled professionals to contract, contract-to-hire, and permanent positions within well-known local brands across a variety of industries. In 2007, Chameleon recognized the importance of reducing its impact on the environment, and implemented a series of measures to minimize waste and energy use. The company's choice of office space enables every employee to take advantage of natural daylight from windows, saving energy from already efficient fluorescent lighting. Chameleon also incorporated company-wide recycling, composting and employee transportation initiatives, as well as mandating the re-use of waste paper and notebooks, and the recycling of all used electronics to increase its percentage of recycled office material to 90%. Their improvements in waste reduction and recycling practices have earned them recognition for the second year in a row as a Best Recycling Workplace. Chameleon's future holds further exploration of eco-conscious steps that will help them grow as a business, and as a steward of the Earth. Region: East | Best Workplaces Map ChemPoint Inc.Web site: http://www.chempoint.com/pages/Default.html ChemPoint is the leading e-distributor of specialty and fine chemicals. Founded in 1999, the Bellevue-located business strives to accomplish high standards of recycling and waste reduction throughout the workplace. ChemPoint recycles glass, plastic, paper, and cans throughout the office. In addition they also recycle electronics, toner cartridges, and plastic wrap. They hope to add CD jewel case and DVD case recycling bins in the near future. ChemPoint helps reduce waste through the establishment of a company policy that requires documents to be printed double sided. They also purchase and use a minimum of 30% post consumer recycled content office products. ChemPoint discourages anything in their accounting department to be printed on paper and offers paperless billing. They reuse paper that prints blank and distributes many documents internally as "Electronic Copies" to avoid paper use. Region: East | Best Workplaces Map City of BellevueWeb site: http://www.bellevuewa.gov The City of Bellevue is a returning participant for the 2009 Best Workplaces for Recycling because of their continued efforts in workplace recycling and waste reduction. The City of Bellevue conducted a waste audit last November and determined that their recycling rate increased from 48% to 77% for all the materials measured. Their food waste recycling went from 0% to 48% at City Hall. The City of Bellevue has also expanded the in-house food waste program to satellite buildings and has added a recycling program for compact fluorescent lamps through Ecolights Northwest and a lid/cap recycling program through AVEDA for employees. The City of Bellevue is also helping prevent garbage by promoting zero waste at events and meetings. In order to monitor the success of their program, they have two waste sorts schedule in 2009. Advice to Others: “Keep employees engaged in the program and solicit their ideas; you will be amazed at how many advocates you have at your company.” Region: East | Best Workplaces Map City of RedmondWeb site: http://www.redmond.gov/ Recently, in addition to the usual recyclables such as paper, cardboard, bottles and cans, the City of Redmond added food recycling at City Hall. In their kitchenettes and cafes Redmond now has collection containers for food and food-soiled paper that is taken to a local composting facility where it’s turned into compost. The composting program has been very successful and well received by the staff. Redmond hopes to expand food recycling to other city facilities soon. They are working to reduce additional waste by requiring that documents be printed double sided and by reusing surplus furniture and other durable items. The city also has a recycling program set up for batteries, electronic media, and toner ink cartridges. The kitchenettes use dishware and glassware to help reduce the amount of waste. The employees receive recycling guidelines in orientation materials and are able to keep the recycling program running strong by setting goals and tracking their progress. Advice to Others: “We have found the key to successful waste reduction and recycling is clear and consistent communication about how to reduce waste, and what can be recycled, as well as offering the tools to make these activities accessible and easy.” Region: East | Best Workplaces Map Clocktower MediaWeb site: http://www.clocktowermedia.com Clocktower Media is a web design and development company located in Kirkland’s beautiful Houghton neighborhood. In recent years, Clocktower Media has taken several steps toward becoming more environmentally friendly. Management has instituted paperless billing for clients, set out desk side recycling containers and purchased glassware and dishes for the kitchenette. Additionally, Clocktower Media has made efforts to reduce waste by purchasing and using a minimum of 30% post-consumer recycled content office products. Through increased recycling, they have also been able to reduce the amount of their waste. Clocktower Media received recognition in 2008 for participating in Kirkland’s Green Business Program. The team of nine web professionals understands that small individual actions can be taken to make big change. Region: East | Best Workplaces Map Courtyard Marriott Bellevue DowntownWeb site: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/bvudt-courtyard-seattle-bellevue-downtown/ Since the start of their recycling program Bellevue Downtown Courtyard Marriot has been able to reduce the size of their garbage collection containers by 50%. They also have set a goal to reduce waste production by another 10% by the end of 2009. The hotel reduced the amount the garbage produced through recycling and composting. In addition to recycling paper, plastic, glass, and cans they also offer recycling opportunities for batteries, electronics, and fluorescent bulbs and tubes. The hotel also uses reusable dishware and recycles food scraps and cooking oil from their kitchen. Bellevue Downtown Courtyard works toward waste reduction by purchasing and using a minimum of 30% post-consumer recycled content office paper. Sending and receiving all faxes electronically as well as offering paperless billing also makes a big difference in paper waste. The staff is kept up to date on recycling guidelines and is encouraged to share recycling successes. Advice to Others: “Recycling is very important to our environment; every business should provide means of recycling to their employees and to their customers. Through recycling practices, Washington will remain the Evergreen State.” Region: East | Best Workplaces Map David Evans and Associates, Inc.Web site: http://www.deainc.com David Evans and Associates, Inc. (DEA) is an employee-owned engineering and consulting firm in Bellevue and has been deeply rooted in the Pacific Northwest since 1976. David Evans and Associates, Inc. set a goal of reducing their overall corporate carbon footprint by 10 percent. To achieve this goal, DEA focused on recycling, reduction of waste, and the reuse of materials. Employees are encouraged to participate in the commute trip reduction program and the company recently initiated a company-wide 9/80 work program. Recycling bins with detailed instructions are located in each office, work area, conference room, copy/print center, kitchen/break room, and all open areas. DEA also provides facilities for recycling batteries, compact fluorescent bulbs, printer ink/toner cartridges, and electronic waste products, whether from the office or employees’ homes. The waste reduction program reuses office materials such as shipping and mailing supplies, binders, folders, and scrap paper whenever possible for internal use. Permanent plates, bowls, mugs, glasses, and utensils have been provided so less waste is created. Separate bins also collect all biodegradable waste, which is composted on site. To encourage and remind staff about recycling and waste reduction at work and at home, the Sustainability Committee sends out “Sustainability E-Tips” and suggestions bi-weekly. Advice to Others: “Keep the program visible with frequent reminders, visible cues (like recycle bins), and enthusiasm. Make the program fun, simple, and convenient.” Region: East | Best Workplaces Map Drugstore.comWeb site: http://www.drugstore.com/ Drugstore.com is a Bellevue based company which has been working hard toward incorporating environmental practices throughout their workplace. One of the first goals they accomplished was “the greening” up of their lunch rooms. By switching over to ceramic dishware, glasses, and real cutlery, they have stopped using any disposable products and were able to reduce the size of their garbage collection container. Each of their three kitchens now offers recycled content paper towels and natural cleaning products. The kitchens also have recycling and a “going green” information board which offers facts, tips, and current events. The Drugstore.com employees are actively involved in the waste reduction process and recently asked the company to stop offering single use bottled water and to set printers for single sided printing. Drugstore.com created a three-floor 50/50 challenge which asked each floor to try and cut their paper use by half in a half a year. They also switched to 100% recycled paper from local suppliers. Information boards were placed at each printer, showing how and why to “print smart” and to use less paper. Illustrations were also posted to show employees that the reams of paper used annually were taller than their Bellevue skyscraper. The three floor challenge showed that in 6 months, usage was reduced 33% and at 10 months 40%. Advice to Others: "We recommend several things to help businesses promote recycling. The first is to appeal to diverse motivational triggers, speak to diverse learning styles, stay real by using humor, and never be preachy. We also suggest that you focus on progress you’ve made and not the daunting challenge that’s ahead of you. It is also important to remember that it’s never too late to start a recycling or waste reduction program." Region: East | Best Workplaces Map ECO Cartridge StoreWeb site: http://www.ecocartridgestore.com ECO Cartridge Store continues to provide customers with an environmentally friendly alternative to throwing ink cartridges in the garbage. ECO Cartridge is a third time recipient of the Best Workplaces for Recycling award because of their continued recycling and waste reduction practices. At the ECO Cartridge Store empty printer ink cartridges are refilled, and cartridges that cannot be refilled are then recycled. Throughout their office they recycle paper, plastic, glass, cans, Styrofoam™, and electronics. They also offer a take back program for the plastic bags that are used in selling ECO Cartridge Store ink cartridges. In order to reduce waste, they reuse mailing boxes, double side printing, and have a reuse station for office materials. Since their opening in July 2004, ECO Cartridge Store customers have kept 17,100 pounds of industrial plastic and metals out of our landfills. ECO Cartridge Store has also been able to reduce oil consumption by 155 barrels that would have been used to manufacture new cartridges. The ECO Cartridge Store encourages recycling not only in the workplace but also in schools where bins are provided to collect empty ink cartridges. Region: East | Best Workplaces Map Emerald HeightsWeb site: http://www.emeraldheights.com/overview/welcome.htm Life care community Emerald Heights is a returning recipient of the Best Workplaces for Recycling award due to their continued efforts in providing recycling for their residents, employees, and visitors. Emerald Heights provides conveniently located recycling bins as well as instructions on what can be recycled. Emerald Heights donates used functioning appliances and furniture that have become surplus to local transitional housing projects. Emerald Heights helps prevent waste by donating excess food to food banks, recycles cooking oil, and uses all dishware, glassware, and flatware in the kitchens, cafeterias and hotel guest rooms. Region: East | Best Workplaces Map Evergreen HealthcareWeb site: http://www.evergreenhealthcare.org/ Evergreen Healthcare’s name bestows itself to environmental stewardship with a play on the words ‘Ever Green.’ Their vision statement for their green initiatives is to ‘Be Forevergreen’ and they incorporate this into their big education and awareness promotions to advance sustainable healthcare for the community. Evergreen Healthcare communicates its green initiatives through the hospital newsletter, annual skills reviews, and through planned education reviews for each department's 'green resource person.’ Administration is supporting their visionary, sustainability plan by including sustainable planning into their 2009-2011 strategic plans. They have also been able to reduce their waste by recycling paper, plastic, glass, cans, batteries, electronics and toner cartridges. They also compost their food waste and recycle the kitchens cooking oil. What makes Evergreen Healthcare’s sustainable initiatives so successful is that they are driven by a blend of grass roots activism and administrative leadership. Advice to Others: "Our advice to other businesses is to have all staff develop a vested interest in the environmental well-being of their work place. The Evergreen Healthcare Green Team is working on the premise that all employees are part of the Green Team and are involved in the ‘greening’ of Evergreen. This attitude was very noticeable at Evergreen’s first Earth Day event held this year where staff’s environmental enthusiasm was seen to bubble over during the event." Region: East | Best Workplaces Map FCS GROUPWeb site: http://www.fcsgroup.com/index.html FCS GROUP is a financial and management consulting firm in Redmond that strives to take care of the environment through many recycling and waste reduction practices. FCS GROUP recycles office supplies including toner, electronics, paper, plastic, and metal. The company supports commuting to work, and promotes reusable service ware. To reduce waste within the company, they do not offer single use water bottles. Trays are also placed next to printers and copiers so that unwanted paper maybe reused. FCS GROUP also purchases recycled materials and provides an atmosphere in which their employees can support this effort. FCS GROUP works to find new ways to deliver quality work while still recycling. They provide clients with documents on fully recycled paper, and keep employees informed of their recycling options. Region: East | Best Workplaces Map Web site: http://www.google.com Since joining the list in 2008, Google has continued to refine and improve its recycling and waste reducing practices. Most notably this year, they implemented 100% melamine and silverware use in their cafeterias. Food service is an important part of their corporate culture, and until recently they had been using compostable one-use products for china and flatware. Today, they have converted all sites to reusable plates and silverware. They still have compostable containers available for limited use, and continue to employ a composting program for all food waste and disposable containers. In addition to the glass and cans, they collect and recycle batteries, electronic media, plastic wrap, toner cartridges, and fluorescent bulbs and tubes. All other recycling programs are running strong and will continue when they relocate to their new campus. Google places a strong emphasis on education as a key contributor to a successful recycling program. Region: East | Best Workplaces Map HDR EngineeringWeb site: http://www.hdrinc.com HDR Engineering, a national, multi-disciplined engineering, science, and planning firm, has been committed to sustainability for a number of years. The HDR Bellevue office was a Best Workplace for Recycling for 2007, 2008 and now in 2009. This year HDR Bellevue replaced one of its older company cars with a Prius Hybrid, and a second hybrid is on order. HDR Bellevue also added battery, cell phone, and CFL recycling. In collaboration with Bellevue City Center property management, HDR piloted commercial composting for all food waste in 2008 – now practiced throughout the building. As a result, property management estimates 4.5 tons per month of food waste is diverted from the landfill! The property management has also been promoting more energy efficiency in the building including installing light sensors, and auto flush toilets and faucets. A key element for continued recycling and waste reduction success is HDR Bellevue’s Green Team. The Green Team is a group of employees that volunteer to promote recycling awareness, plan events, and keep a working list of initiatives. The Green Team presents eco-facts, sustainability tips, and recycling protocol monthly at “All Staff” meetings, on employee bulletin boards, and on the Green Team’s intranet site. The Green Team members held numerous educational and fun activities throughout “Earth Week” to continue educating staff on how they can reduce their carbon footprint. The Green Team also participated in Earth Hour and the building’s “Green Fair.” The office has a goal of “Zero Waste” initiated by their Department Manager. This management along with office administrative support have been important factors in the Green Team’s success in implementing these programs. Advice to Others: "Find the people that are passionate about sustainability and enable them to promote reduction of waste and recycling by changing basic office processes." Region: East | Best Workplaces Map Honda of KirklandWeb site: http://www.kirklandhonda.com Honda of Kirkland is a workplace that strives to reduce its environmental impact through waste reduction practices. They provide recycling receptacles for paper, plastic, glass, and cans in their break rooms. The company also recycles batteries, scrap metal, Styrofoam™ and electronics. Food scraps and other organic material are collected in their break rooms for composting. Honda of Kirkland also reduces waste by using dishware and flatware in the kitchens. They work to reduce their waste by using a minimum of 30% post consumer recycled content for office products. A recycling coordinator helps lead the recycling program, and employees receive recycling guidelines in their orientation materials and are kept up to date annually on recycling practices. Region: East | Best Workplaces Map Honeywell InternationalWeb site: http://www.honeywell.com The Redmond located Honeywell International Aerospace Guidance and Electrical System operation is on the “Best Recycling Workplace’s” list for the second time due to their continued recycling and waste reduction practices. In addition to recycling paper, scrap and precious metals, they have continued to expand their recycling activities, and now recycle batteries, cell phones, lamps, wood pallets, kitchen oil, plastic chemical containers, illumina silicone wafers, and toner cartridges. For their annual Employee Recycling day they partnered with Total Reclaim and netted 33,000 lbs. of recyclables. In 2008, they began a focus on waste avoidance in their Value Engineering (VE) group as part of normal business operations. Five VE projects will account for an estimated waste reduction in costs of $970,000 annually, and are aimed at increasing product yields using the same amount of raw materials; thereby generating less scrap. Honeywell has also made energy reduction efforts at their site which have included placing lights on timers, thermostat adjustments during non operating hours and using “turn it off” stickers placed on production equipment reminding employees to turn off equipment when not in use. They have also incorporated new software for their wastewater neutralization equipment and upgraded sensors which have reduced the site’s wastewater discharge volume by 30%. Advice to Others: "Don’t stop looking for opportunities to reduce, recycle or reuse. If you make recycling easy for employees, they will participate and often come up with the best ideas to limit waste!" Region: East | Best Workplaces Map Horizon Height PropertiesContact name & email: Ted Chen, pacificscout@usa.net Horizon Height Properties is a property management company for 6 properties in King County which has been actively involved in the recycling program since 1999. Horizon Height Properties has over 55 rental units which are all offered and encouraged to recycle. Their efforts can be seen as one of their SeaTac properties; a 12-unit apartment only uses a 2 cubic yard dumpster and another 2 cubic yard recycling container for all of their collection. In addition to the recycling on the properties, the Horizon Height Properties office is fully engaged in many waste reduction practices. They use old single used paper for copies for their own filing and mail double-sided letters and notices out to tenants. Three rain barrels were also installed to collect rain to water the lawns and trees at their office. The Horizon Height Properties also collects food scraps and organic materials which are placed in compost bins. In the property offices the majority of the office furniture was picked up from what their tenants abandoned. The office recycles batteries, wood pallets, plastic film, Styrofoam, scrap metal, and electronic media. Horizon Height Properties also offers a take back program for fluorescent bulbs, tubes and plastic bags. Region: East | Best Workplaces Map Hyatt Regency BellevueWeb site: http://www.bellevue.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp The Hyatt Regency of Bellevue has implemented many recycling and waste reduction techniques throughout their hotel since establishing a “Green Team.” The hotels "Green Team," which meets monthly, is responsible for sharing Global Hyatt's commitment to increase awareness and create a culture of sustainability. The hotel is working toward reducing their carbon footprint by actively recycling and composting. In addition to the paper, plastic, glass, and can recycling, the hotel also recycles their batteries, Styrofoam™, electronics, and cooking oil. The Hyatt Regency of Bellevue has also set up several tracking systems that monitor the consumption and cost of electricity, natural gas, and water throughout the hotel. This information is then shared with the hotel's staff to encourage conservation and the reduction of energy usage. Local utilities are also contacted to ensure that purchases in the future include the most energy-efficient equipment. Advice to Others: “When beginning a recycling or conservation program in an organization, reinforce the programs with signage, training programs, the proper equipment (eg., the right kind and size of recycling containers) and plenty of encouragement that is meaningful. People truly want to do the right thing; they just need encouragement to remain on the right track. And most important - be a good example!” Region: East | Best Workplaces Map Issaquah School DistrictWeb site: http://www.issaquah.wednet.edu The Issaquah School District has recycling and waste reduction programs at all 27 facilities. Staff and students recycle paper, cans, bottles, cell phones, printer cartridges, batteries, fluorescent tubes and electronic equipment. The food service program replaced disposable polystyrene food trays with compostable trays. Eight schools initiated food scrap recycling programs and reduced solid waste by 50 to 75%. The district plans to expand the program to all schools in the near future. At the end of each school year, the district donates to food banks all unused food products that will reach expiration dates before September. Schools are also initiating reuse programs to collect usable sheet paper products for scratch paper, art work and other uses before it is recycled. Large envelopes are re-used for intra-district mailers. Schools are saving paper by sending parent newsletters and many other intra-school communications electronically. The district participates in the King County Green Schools Program that provides support to initiate and sustain recycling and waste reduction programs. Advice to Others: “Starting recycling projects and programs takes time, energy and cooperation from many people. An additional challenge is to keep the recycling and waste reduction programs energized and functional year after year. Utilizing King County Green Schools Program has helped maintain quality recycling programs in our schools each year.” Region: East | Best Workplaces Map Lake Washington School DistrictWeb site: http://www.lwsd.org The Lake Washington School District (LWSD) operates 48 schools throughout the cities of Kirkland, Redmond, and parts of Sammamish and unincorporated King County. The school district is home to over 23,000 students, 3.2 million square feet of building space, and a 4-year-old Resource Conservation Management office, which strives to maximize each building's efficiency and minimize usage of energy, water, storm water treatment and waste disposal services. LWSD has been working with the King County Green Schools Program http://your.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/greenschools/lake-WA-school-district.asp to minimize waste disposal costs and the impact of its schools on the environment. Each school has a strong recycling program for classrooms, lunchrooms and gymnasiums. Students are taught of the importance of recycling, and shown what exactly can be recycled. In most schools, disposable Styrofoam™ lunch trays have been replaced with reusable baskets or plates. Finally, nearly 27 schools are actively composting their food waste. The efforts are paying off. For example, students, teachers and staff at Mark Twain Elementary worked with the district to initiate a comprehensive strategy to reduce garbage output by 50% in 2009. Their cafeteria switched from Styrofoam™ trays to reusable plastic baskets and began using recycling and food compost bins, and kitchen personnel also began to recycle. The decrease in waste and increase in recycling allowed the cafeteria to reduce garbage output from twelve full 32-gallon containers to just two. Students led a similar effort at Juanita High School, where the student leadership group held a week-long series of events in the cafeteria to promote recycling, reusable containers, and food composting. This effort, combined with water conservation activities, led to the school awarded membership in Kirkland’s Green Business Program. LWSD commends all the dedicated students, teachers, parents and staff who have worked hard to minimize their schools’ impact on the environment and maximize their efficiency. Advice to Others: “Tracking utility bills makes it easy to monitor progress and find specific ways to improve. Waste reduction, recycling and composting projects are most successful when you can show that they are cost-effective. Active support and participation of students is crucial, and responsibilities should be delegated to them as much as possible.” Region: East | Best Workplaces Map MulvannyG2 ArchitectureWeb site: http://www.mulvannyg2.com MulvannyG2 Architecture is a King County Best Recycling Workplace for three years running. Over the past year, MulvannyG2 has significantly increased their recycling efforts beyond paper, cardboard, plastic, metal, and glass. They now recycle batteries, printer cartridges, light bulbs, cell phones, computers, monitors, keyboards, and other electronic equipment. As an Environmental Protection Agency WasteWise partner, they are able to calculate their waste prevention and recycling achievements. Awarded EPA’s “Partner of the Year” in 2007, MulvannyG2 recycles over 22 tons of paper, plastics, metals, and other commodities. They also prevent over 10 tons of plastics, paper, and food waste from entering the landfill by providing reusable materials, printing double-sided, and increasing their on-line processes. According to EPA calculations, this amount results in Washington state greenhouse gas emission reductions equivalent to removing 31 passenger cars from the road for one year or about 4,200 tree seedlings grown for 10 years. Advice to Others: "MulvannyG2 would suggest getting educated, connecting with the EPA, and forming a good relationship with building property management, janitorial staff, and City to ensure tangible results. Above all, keep it simple, educational, and fun!" Region: East | Best Workplaces Map Noetix CorporationWeb site: http://www.noetix.com Redmond-based Noetix Corporation has made recycling and waste reduction a company priority. Noetix kicked off their Green Committee by giving every employee a reusable shopping bag, and the committee continues to meet every other month to discuss recycling and waste reduction ideas. Since its formation, the committee has added a food composting program in the company lunch room to properly dispose of coffee filters/grounds and food scraps. It also purchases biodegradable products for company events. In addition to displaying signs throughout their office, Noetix Corporation helps to further educate their employees through the Green Committee intranet page to stress the importance of greener lifestyles. The page allows easy communication throughout the office with up-to-date news about recycling and "Green" events. In addition, a quarterly "Green" email newsletter is also sent out to all employees to remind them of the company's recycling efforts. The Noetix Corporation recently expanded their recycling efforts globally by starting a Green Committee at their office in Hyderabad, India. Advice to Others: "Start small with basic recycling, anything a company can do will help. Also, consider forming a Green committee to oversee and initiate programs. The committee can help to interpret the feedback and advice from other staff members. If possible, try replacing all of your everyday office supplies with eco-friendly products and recycled products. Use the internet as your source for recycling ideas. It’s never too late to start recycling." Region: East | Best Workplaces Map Outsource MarketingWeb site: http://www.outsourcemarketing.com Outsource Marketing brings the same creativity to its green efforts as it does to its client’s marketing needs. The company’s recycling committee works to find new ways to minimize waste, sets recycling goals and tracks progress. Recycling guidelines are posted at recycling stations and included in employee orientation materials. Each staff member has signed a "Green Pact," promising to reduce, reuse and recycle where possible. In addition to paper and cardboard collection, the company offers recycling for plastic, glass, cans, toner cartridges and electronic equipment. The firm also provides reuse stations for office supplies, mailing boxes, envelopes and scrap paper, and encourages double-sided printing and ‘e-faxes’ to further reduce paper use. To close the recycling loop, Outsource Marketing purchases recycled, Forest Stewardship Council certified, paper when possible (for both internal use and 90 percent of client printing projects). Employees also have durable dishware, glassware and flatware to avoid producing extra kitchen waste. Through technology, the firm enables most employees to telecommute, with the goal of each staff member telecommuting one day a week. Advice to Others: “To those considering a recycling program, a great way to begin is to designate a ‘Go Green Team,’ or nominate an individual to help the organization take some first steps. Embed environmental responsibility into the corporate culture. Employees want to be part of an organization that cares, and too many, going green feels like more of an employee benefit than a chore.” Region: East | Best Workplaces Map Overlake Hospital Medical CenterWeb site: http://www.overlakehospital.org Overlake Hospital Medical Center began their sustainable journey about three years ago. Since then, they have expanded their recycling efforts across the main hospital campus with centralized recycling bins in main departments. These tasks have also been incorporated into the routines of some of Overlake’s mentally challenged staff, under the Bellevue School District and Puget Sound Personnel programs. In the office environment, used toner cartridges are recycled or refilled and mailing boxes and envelopes are reused. They have also maintained a robust composting program in the dining facility. Overlake has converted 90% of their disposables to compostables, and the main kitchen production recycles all cardboard, cans, plastics and glass. Advice to others: "It is an on-going effort to educate and assist people in seeking out the value a sustainability program provides. They encourage any company to take this on and build it one leg at a time." Region: East | Best Workplaces Map PACCAR Inc.Web site: http://www.paccar.com/ PACCAR is a global technology leader in the design, manufacture and customer support of high-quality light-, medium- and heavy-duty trucks under the Kenworth, Peterbilt and DAF nameplates. PACCAR began a recycling program in the early 1990s and for years has recycled paper, batteries, cell phones and toner cartridges. They also partnered with a local firm to recycle used kitchen grease into bio-fuel. Recycling receptacles are now in the cafeteria and at each employee desk and workstation to collect co-mingled paper, glass bottles, aluminum and plastic. Double-sided copies and scanned documents are encouraged wherever possible. A new Intranet-based system that links all PACCAR locations allows exchange of ideas and promotes new initiatives that benefit employees and the environment. Recently, they introduced reduced pricing of beverages for employees using their own containers. This reduces waste, conserves energy and saves money. The company’s success is the direct result of employee dedication. Coordination between the city of Bellevue and PACCAR employees led to a new waste reduction initiative of co-mingled recycling waste that was accomplished in less than two months. The next campaign is to recycle food waste with compostable food containers. Advice to others: “Key success factors include strong support from management and direct communication with employees. We have found that as we roll out our new campaigns, it is critical to present step-by-step plans that are easy to implement, follow, test and refine.” Region: East | Best Workplaces Map Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.Web site: http://www.pspinc.com/ Business Web and hosting provider Pacific Software Publishing, Inc. (PSP, Inc.) is committed to green practices and recycling. The company encourages these efforts by providing waste and recycling bins at every employee's desk, the mail/copy room and lunch room. PSP, Inc. also makes sure that hazardous materials, such as paint and fluorescent light bulbs, are stored and disposed of properly. The office has many reuse stations for materials, including trays placed next to copiers and printers for reusable paper. In addition, the company helps reduce carbon emissions by driving fuel-efficient cars such as the Smart Car to client sites. PSP, Inc. also participates at the Leadership Level in Puget Sound Energy’s Green Power program. Advice to others: “Research local resources and programs to partner with to increase recycling and waste reduction efforts. Green practices can benefit many different types of businesses.” Region: East | Best Workplaces Map PCC Natural MarketsWeb site: http://www.pccnaturalmarkets.com This is PCC Natural Markets’ third year in a row to be awarded distinction as a “Best Workplace for Recycling and Waste Reduction.” All nine of the Western Washington PCC Natural Markets locations have long-standing composting and recycling programs. PCC has systems in place that monitor energy and water use. The company pursues and maintains community partnerships that support the reuse of shopping bags, clothing, books and computers. In addition, leftover packaging from products shipped to each market – such as plastic film, wrap and Styrofoam™ is reused or recycled. In 2009, PCC formed green teams at each store and in the business office. This initiative helps maintain PCC’s sustainable practices at each location, and to educate staff and shoppers about the benefits of “reduce-recycle-reuse.” PCC is constantly reinforcing the importance of responsibly grown, produced, transported, packaged and prepared food to both employees and customers. Region: East | Best Workplaces Map Philips Oral HealthcareWeb site: http://www.usa.philips.com Philips Oral Healthcare is a repeat Best Workplace for Recycling because of its continued efforts to create a more sustainable workplace. One environmental success in 2009 included ending dependency on bottled water at the company’s Snoqualmie facility. By coordinating the education of employees, contractors and management, Philips was able to stress the environmental challenges of plastic bottles as well as change employees' perception of the quality of tap water. In addition to educating their employees, Philips used interesting and fun activities to show staff the facts – such as conducting blind taste tests of tap water versus bottled water, and giving away stylish re-usable water bottles to those who took the test. Lastly, at all meetings, the company serves water in pitchers rather than plastic water bottles. The company, which manufactures Sonicare products, has an established Environmental Management System to manage recycling throughout their facilities and to implement new practices. Philips holds annual events on Earth Day and a Sustainability Fair to promote employee environmental awareness and involvement. Philips also promotes waste reduction by purchasing a minimum of 30% post consumer recycled content office products and setting eco goals at a corporate level to reduce product packaging. Advice to Others: “Find ways to simplify processes, using existing operations and equipment, and get management support. Make sure goals are set and status reports with cost savings are then provided back to management.” Region: East | Best Workplaces Map Pogacha of IssaquahWeb site: http://www.pogacha.com/Issaquah/ Pogacha of Issaquah makes great effort to be conscious of the restaurant’s environmental impact. Pogacha has recently implemented food waste composting – and despite initial reservations, it has gone fantastically well. Pogacha works with a biodiesel group that recycles the restaurant’s cooking oil, and their accounting department also offers paperless billing. Pogacha’s eco-changes were easy to make and have made a huge impact on the amount of waste the restaurant creates. Region: East | Best Workplaces Map Printex PressWeb site: http://www.printex-press.com Bellevue based Printex Press is an environmentally friendly company that uses sustainable printing practices. They are a member of the family of Forest Stewardship Council certified printers and are committed to sustainable manufacturing practices within their own facility. They specialize in educating their customers on paper choices that promote environmental sustainability. Printex Press specializes in choosing papers that are FSC-certified and recycled. They use Kodak Thermal Direct printing plates which are produced digitally on their Computer-to-Plate device without the use of harmful chemicals and processed on the press reducing the water waste incurred in plate processors. Printex Press uses soy and other vegetable-based inks which are less harmful to the environment than their petroleum-based counterparts. Printex Press and its employees participate in the City of Bellevue’s Business Commingled Recycling program. They fill a 64 gallon recycling cart once a week through this program. They also recycle approximately 200 pounds per month of aluminum plates with Fine Art Medallion Company. Throughout their shop, they recycle an average of 11,000 pounds of paper waste per month. Advice to Others: "Small changes made at your workplace can make a big difference in the future of the environment and we recommend printing your office stationery items, brochures, promotional materials and any other printed material you use on a paper which is FSC certified and contains as high of a recycled content as possible." Region: East | Best Workplaces Map Reprographics NorthwestWeb site: http://www.repronw.com Reprographics Northwest’s workplace recycling efforts lands them on the list for the third time. This year Reprographics made the switch to 30% recycled content paper for their small-format house stock, and drastically reduced waste by introducing composting in the workplace. One of the simplest techniques the company used was strategically placing recycling bins and informational posters within the office. By pairing the bins with the instructional tips, Reprographics achieved strong results. As a printing company, they are sensitive to the community's desire to be responsible stewards of the environment and were inspired to keep improving on their goals for 2009. Advice to Others: “Never assume that green practices will bust your budget. We’re hoping that our recycling practices coupled with composting will allow us to downgrade our garbage service, which will save money. Paper products like cups for the water cooler are actually pretty expensive, and we hope to eventually eliminate the use of these. Be creative. We've created an “Eco Wall of Shame” so that all of our staff can see which recyclable items are often thrown away. The item is retrieved from the trash and displayed on the wall. We have also started a “Mark it and Park It” campaign – we fasten magic markers to the base of our water coolers, so that anyone using a paper cup will be more likely to reuse it.” Region: East | Best Workplaces Map Roth Hill Engineering Partners, LLCWeb site: http://www.rothhill.com/ Roth Hill was inspired by their nomination last year, and continued to strengthen their recycling efforts this year. This year, the company revised employee handbooks into electronic versions and recycled or reused all outdated books. To encourage recycling, Roth Hill distributed branded bright blue reusable shopping bags to all staff, which also served as a company marketing tool when staff used the bags around the community. In their kitchen facilities, Roth Hill has started to phase out their plastic cutlery and use bio-plastic cutlery instead – bio-plastic cutlery is FDA-certified and 100% biodegradable. Lastly, the company is proud to have introduced composting into the workplace as any easy means to keep food out of the landfill. Roth Hill is proud of this recognition and achievement and hopes that the small steps its individual employees take will make a bigger difference in helping the company reduce its overall carbon footprint. Advice to Others: "Engage your employees every step of the way. Getting buy-in from everyone involved ensures your efforts will be successful." Region: East | Best Workplaces Map Rowley Properties, Inc.Web site: http://www.rowleyproperties.com/ Rowley Properties has a comprehensive construction waste recycling program. Without exception, the company collects and recycles copper, steel, brass, gypsum wall board and lumber from every project. In addition, Rowley collects and recycles cardboard, paper, plastic, aluminum and other typically recycled materials. Whenever possible, Rowley reuses existing structures and materials. This is accomplished through cooperative efforts between Rowley and tenants during the design phase of the tenant improvement process. Reused materials have included doors, hardware, light fixtures, cabinets and plumbing products. In addition, the company emphasizes use of recycled and rapidly renewable products during material selection. Finally, since being honored last year, Rowley has implemented new recycling requirements in their restrooms for paper towels and have begun collecting food waste for composting. Advice to Others: “Recycling begins when you make purchases. Look for items that are made with recycled content and before you buy anything, check to see if it can be recycled when you’re through. Choose products with minimal packaging, preferably packaging made from recycled materials.” Region: East | Best Workplaces Map SD DeaconWeb site: http://www.deacon.com/ Bellevue-based SD Deacon has implemented major changes to reduce waste and increase recycling and composting. By creating an electronic documentation system for projects and encouraging clients and staff to use the system, the company was able to substantially eliminate much of the paper used in project documentation. All printers have been set to duplex print and any single sided copies that are discarded are collected and made into notepads of several sizes eliminating the need to order new supplies. A recycling program was established and training was held for all employees. Suggestions from employees that were implemented included using recycled toilet paper, paper towels and environmentally friendly dishwashing liquid, eliminated the use of single-use water bottles within the company as well as setting up a food waste composting program. Region: East | Best Workplaces Map Simplicity DecorWeb site: http://www.simplicitydecor.com/ Simplicity Décor believes that as they try, others will follow and the result has the potential to impact the community at large. The company tries to offer "Green Products" to their clients, use recycled bags and packaging and reuse paper, boxes and bags. If merchandise is returned or defective, it is donated or repurposed. When purchasing supplies for the office, Simplicity buys products with a minimum of 30% post consumer recycled content. In addition, the company has set all printers as double-sided and reuses mailing boxes and envelopes. Overall, Simplicity does its best to be responsible for our community and our planet. Region: East | Best Workplaces Map The Summit at SnoqualmieWeb site: http://www.summitatsnoqualmie.com As a two-year member of the list, The Summit at Snoqualmie continues to build on its success. The recognition from last year's award instilled even more employee pride and awareness, which helped amp up participation and success. This year The Summit put together an enthusiastic and effective Green Team to help expand environmental efforts throughout the facility. The team created an environmental logo that is used to brand all of The Summit’s environmental programs. Decals of this logo were made with the slogan: "Understand your environment, Care about your mountain, Take Action." The slogan is displayed on the mountain’s recycling truck and fosters recognition and an additional sense of pride for The Summit’s Recycling Coordinator, who drives the truck between base areas and the recycling center. Another new step taken was supplementing the fuel from the facility’s shuttle buses with reused restaurant fryer oil. This process involves filtering oil in the kitchens, settling it in the shop, pumping it through filters, and then mixing it with diesel. The Summit anticipates saving about 1000 gallons of petroleum based diesel each season with this program. Advice to Others: "Create a position or team to champion the program and provide support for all recycling needs. Recycling is more easily achieved when the company sets goals and policies to work towards, as well as adding recycling practices into orientation materials." Region: East | Best Workplaces Map Symetra FinancialWeb site: http://www.symetra.com Financial security is at the heart of Symetra’s business – and this includes ensuring the environment in which we live and work stays healthy and strong. After relocating to Bellevue in 2005 from Redmond, the company was surprised to find out that many of their previous recycling processes did not exist in their new buildings. Symetra made sure to keep using recycled paper and continued to recycle batteries, toner, computer equipment and office supplies, but elements of their recycling regimen were still missing. They continually worked with their property managers to include basic recycling practices such as can, paper, aluminum, glass and plastic. Recently, they added composting, which has been very successful so far. In addition, the company implemented stronger internal programs by adding projectors to conference rooms to encourage digital meetings, and posting “turn the light off” signage in all conference rooms. Symetra has a strong commute option program to encourage employees to use alternative (to driving alone) commutes. Symetra is always looking for ways to enrich the company’s eco programs and calls employees their best champions to help reach their environmental goals. Advice to Others: “Keep your employees engaged in recycling. Solicit their ideas and implement them. It is your best method for success.” Region: East | Best Workplaces Map Thinkspace, LLCWeb site: http://www.thinkspace.com Thinkspace is a Redmond based company which provides superior office space for businesses and promotes environmental practices while operating in a Class A, LEED certified building. In 2008, the office building reopened after reconstruction as a LEED-CI project which was able to recycle 98.8% of the 11,580 pounds of demolition debris. With energy efficient lighting, the building’s electrical consumption has been cut by more than 40%. Thinkspace ensures that clients receive recycle bins as well as information on recycling. Kitchens are equipped with receptacles to recycle compostable food scraps, paper, plastic, glass and aluminum cans. Workrooms have recycling for batteries, ink toner, wine corks, cell phones, and paper. Thinkspace uses selected local waste reducing vendors for its office supplies, coffee, catering, and vending needs. One way in which Thinkspace is reducing its waste is by using whiteboards that are made with sustainable bamboo and using refillable whiteboard markers. Whenever possible the company buys used or recycled furniture as well as recycled paper and green cleaning products. The stools in the offices and kitchen are made from recycled aluminum cans and the front desk is made of bamboo and recycled glass. The carpet at Thinkspace is also made from recycled content and is recyclable at the end of its life. Advice to Others: “By supporting local businesses and using the great resources our community provides us to recycle, compost and purchase recycled and used office supplies and furniture, we can all afford to do business more simply and cut down on waste.” Region: East | Best Workplaces Map Waggener EdstromWeb site: http://www.waggeneredstrom.com In 2008, Bellevue based Waggener Edstrom Worldwide (WE), one of the world’s largest independent public relations firms, formalized their commitment to the environment with the establishment of the WE Planet Environmental Sustainability team. The team focuses on the implementation of innovative ways that WE can reduce its footprint year after year. In 2008, the WE Planet team conducted its second annual carbon footprint measurement across its 16 offices worldwide and set metrics for reducing paper consumption and air travel. Some of the recycling related practices and accomplishments in their Bellevue headquarters include the installation of commingled recycling bins at all employee desks. Waggener Edstrom has also set up composting in all kitchens which has helped reduce their waste. They have replaced their dish soap, surface cleaner, paper towels, paper, and toner with eco-friendly, biodegradable, or recycled options. WE has also been able to use unwanted print-outs and turned them into notepads for employees. The employees also hold an annual desk cleanout event and donate excess goods and office supplies to local charities. The WE commitment to recycling and innovation allows them to think of new ways to lessen their impact on this world. Advice to Others: “The ultimate goal of a recycling/conservation program is to ingrain it in the corporate culture. This sounds like a daunting task but it starts with the small things that are very easy to do. For instance, installing comingled recycling bins at people’s desks. As long as you consistently roll out new programs, keeping Earth consciousness in the minds of employees, whether that be by signage in key areas, emails, meetings, or online forums, you will see increasingly positive results. Working closely with building management and getting a firm commitment from company leadership will also pay huge dividends.” Region: East | Best Workplaces Map The Westin BellevueWeb site: http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/index.html Bellevue-based Westin Hotel encourages staff and guests to integrate various methods of greener living into their daily lives. Hotel staff reduces, reuses, and recycles wherever possible. The staff cafeteria eliminated Styrofoam™ and paper cups completely and all products used in food service are reusable. At the Westin all employees are encouraged to bring their own coffee mug or water container to reduce the usage of water bottles, and they are encouraged to turn computers and lights off when not in use. In the food and beverage department, cooking oil is recycled and food waste is composted. The Westin uses battery operated candles in dining areas and the batteries are recycled appropriately. The Westin has also started a “Greener Meetings” Program that involves 100% paper recycling, digital copies of meeting materials and offers multiple options for clients to further “green” their meeting. By blending an upscale, luxury hotel experience with low impact living practices, the Westin offers guests the peace of mind of knowing they are doing business with an organization that has the environment in mind. Region: East | Best Workplaces Map Yoga CentersWeb site: http://www.yogacenters.com Yoga Centers of Bellevue is a third time member of the “Best Workplaces for Recycling” list because of their continued efforts to build an environmentally conscious, soulful community. Yoga Centers helps make it easy to recycle by placing bins for paper, plastic, glass, and cans in break rooms. The company also reuses durable dishware, glassware and flatware to decrease the amount of kitchen waste produced. Yoga Centers recycles used toner cartridges and electronic equipment and further helps reduce waste by not offering single use bottles and encouraging customers to reuse shopping bags. Yoga Centers also reuses mailing boxes and other office supplies to help reduce its ecological footprint. Region: East | Best Workplaces Map REGION: SOUTH
American Classic Homes Real EstateWeb site:http://www.americanclassichomes.biz/index.htm American Classic Homes Real Estate is a third year recipient of the Best Work Places Award due of their continuing efforts at recycling and waste reduction. Since starting their program in 2006, they have routinely made progress in their program with a lot of the agents participating at work as well as starting their own programs at home. American Classic Homes Real Estate has made it easy to recycle by providing recycling receptacles throughout the office, resulting in the very little garbage as so much of their office waste is paper. They have also included recycling guidelines in orientation materials to help educate their employees. American Classic Homes Real Estate has made the effort to reduce waste by purchasing and using a minimum 30 percent post consumer recycled content office products. The printers and copiers throughout the office are also set to print and copy double sided pages to reduce waste. Region: South | Best Workplaces Map Applus TechnologiesWeb site: http://www.applustech.com As of 2009 Applus Technologies implemented new recycling and yard waste containers at almost all 16 of their Washington Emissions Testing stations. They provide recycling bins next to almost everyone’s desk for easier recycling habits. Throughout their facilities there are food waste bins provided for composting food scraps. To ensure the effectiveness of all of the recycling and composting efforts the bins are marked with clear instructions on the do’s and don’t of recycling. Applus Technologies have also implemented a toner reduction by reusing cartridges and refilling them for all of their office printers. They have been able to reduce their paper waste by implementing the majority of their correspondence through e-mail and scanned documents. The technical equipment of Applus Technologies is repaired on site by technicians or re-used for other material parts. They have also created a yearly booklet for employees, which incorporates environmentally sound practices. Advice to Others: “It is a lot easier than it seems to protect the environment for future generations all it takes is a investigating and some planning. Helping the environment is a very large perk but I have found that it is also a way to save a great deal of money. In all of my efforts Applus Technologies has been able to cut costs especially by implementing the toner refill project and switching from inkjet printers to toner printers and buying the toner in bulk. The internet is a great resource for all of the planning and implementation without leaving a paper trail. The possibilities are endless in the effort to protect the environment and recycling." Region: South | Best Workplaces Map City of KentWebsite: http://www.ci.kent.wa.us/ Reducing waste is part of the Kent City Council's Sustainability Strategy. The City of Kent promotes recycling to their citizens and to their employees. The City of Kent recycles glass, plastic, paper, and cans. They also offer recycling for batteries, electronic equipment, wood pallets, scrap metal, and toner cartridges. Food scraps and organic waste is also collected for composting. The City of Kent has assigned a recycling coordinator which helps employees set and reach their recycling goals. In an effort to reduce waste the City of Kent reuses mailing boxes and envelopes as well as reuses office furniture and supplies. They also do not offer single use water bottles. Advice to Others: "The City of Kent believes that one key to success is to break recycling and food scraps diversion down into baby steps. They suggest promoting a different item or category every week and using signage with pictures or the actual items themselves. Recycling should be made convenient by having bins available wherever there is room. Collected materials or compostables diverted from the waste stream should be weighed and then the numbers advertised, giving praise to all who participated. Display photos of people doing the right thing. Also be sure to let people know they're making a difference." Region: South | Best Workplaces Map City of SeaTacWeb site: http://www.ci.seatac.wa.us The City of SeaTac staff has a waste reduction attitude that has led them to implement some new recycling practices such as reusing packets of water from expired emergency management kits to water indoor plants, and sending expired emergency food bars to a local pig farm. These practices are only two of the many ways the staff works toward improved recycling and waste reduction. In addition to the comingled materials, the city collects and recycles batteries, cell phones, toner cartridges, and CFL’s year-round at City Hall. Twice a year Sea-Tac holds a collection event when they accept reusable household goods and recycle electronics, tires, oil, and scrap metal from staff. The City of SeaTac is also focusing on steps to improve energy efficiency throughout their buildings. Advice to Others: “Embed sustainability in the culture of your organization and increase emphasis on resource efficiency, particularly during times of economic downturn and rising concerns over climate change – do your part to improve the quality of life and earth.” Region: South | Best Workplaces Map Complete OfficeWeb site: http://www.complete-office.com/ Complete Office formed its Green Committee at the beginning of 2009 to promote sustainable practices to its internal and external customers. The team consists of volunteers from each department and senior management. The Committee sets goals and inspires staff and clients to think green and make wise decisions at work and at home. Part of the company’s education campaign was to organize a Green Symposium for its clients to promote green initiatives and educate clients on green products. Internally, Complete Office set up an education campaign on proper recycling. A central recycle station is set up in the lunchroom and the warehouse. They now recycle paper, plastic, glass, aluminum, wood pallets, toner cartridges, fluorescent bulbs, Styrofoam and batteries. Food scraps and other organic materials are also collected for composting. Advice to Others: “Gain management support. It’s crucial to get the support from senior management to succeed. Choose a project manager who is enthusiastic, has great communication and organizational skills and is able to follow through. Ask your employees about their ideas on how to make current processes and procedures “green.” If employees are engaged in making the company green, they will more likely to follow the green initiatives of the company.“ Region: South | Best Workplaces Map Covington Water DistrictWeb site: http://www.covingtonwater.com/ The Covington Water District is a third time recipient of the Best Workplaces for Recycling award, continuing their efforts in recycling and waste reduction. Covington Water District customers who sign up for e-mail notification of their bill can also elect to not receive a paper bill through the mail. The Covington Water District also provides free disposal of old toilets for customers who participate in their Cascade Water Alliance High Efficiency Toilet Replacement Program. The old toilets are crushed and used in concrete, roadbed or other construction projects. The Covington Water District is currently working on establishing an employee classifieds on their intranet. Advice to Others: “Place a colorful recyclables chart – with pictures – next to your main garbage/recycling sites. No one can say ‘I didn’t know it was recyclable!'” Region: South | Best Workplaces Map Frito Lay Inc.Web site: http://www.fritolay.com/index.html Frito Lay Inc. is a global snack food distribution company. Frito Lay's Federal Way location sells over 50,000 cases of product each week and every case is returned to the manufacturing plant for re-use. The cases are used up to 10 times before being recycled. This is over 75,000 lbs of cardboard per week removed from the waste stream. The site also recycles all plastic bottles, aluminum cans and office paper, and the facility also composts paper towels, coffee filters and all food contaminated paper. To help conserve energy, Frito Lay installed motion sensors in all offices and replaced 108 less efficient 400 watt metal halide warehouse lights with newer technology T-5 HO lights. In an effort to conserve water, the facility also installed rain sensors on their irrigation systems. Frito Lay's PAC NW Region recently held an Earth Day event; over 1400 employees in 16 locations participated. The Federal Way distribution center had well over 100 employees in attendance. Every employee in the Region received personal coffee mugs made out of recycled and compostable plastic eliminating the need to purchase paper or Styrofoam cups. They went through recycling stations learning what the corporation and the facilities are doing to promote responsible environmental stewardship and what they can do to reduce their personal carbon foot print at home and at work. Region: South | Best Workplaces Map Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference CenterWebsite: http://www1.hilton.com Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference Center has been working hard on their comprehensive recycling program for the last several years and received recognition in 2008 as a Best Workplace for Recycling. Their continued efforts to increase recycling and reduce waste have earned them recognition once again. The hotel implemented public area recycling in all of their meeting rooms and public areas; this has helped to increase recycling and heighten the awareness of their efforts with their guests and meeting attendees. They have continued to expand their food and organic waste recycling and in April of 2009, they implemented food waste recycling in the Employee Cafeteria. Currently they recycle an average of 2.8 tons of organics per month. One of their most notable achievements in the last year is the conversion of their 15-yard compactor at the Conference Center for solid waste to co-mingled recycling, and they downsized their trash container to a 2-yard dumpster collected once a week. This accomplishment took a lot of work and effort by their Banquet Staff and they are continuing to enhance the recycling in the Conference Center. They are averaging 3.5 tons per month of recyclables from the Conference Center and this has also reduced their solid waste costs. As a result of implementing a comprehensive recycling and waste reduction program, their guests, employees and owners benefit in many ways. Region: South | Best Workplaces Map Kennedy / Jenks Consultants, Inc.Web site: http://www.kennedyjenks.com/ Kennedy / Jenks Consultants, Inc. is a national consulting agency with an office located in Federal Way. Kennedy / Jenks Consultants, Inc. are third time recipients of the Best Workplace for Recycling award due to their continued dedication to the recycling and waste reduction effort. In addition to the glass, paper, plastic, and can recycling, they have implemented recycling for plastic wrap, electronic equipment and media. In an effort to reduce waste, the Federal Way office offers paperless billing. They also use a minimum of 30% post consumer recycled content office products and return used toner cartridges. Kennedy / Jenks Consultants, Inc. has an employee classifieds program as well as a reuse program of office furniture and other durable items. Region: South | Best Workplaces Map Kenworth Truck CompanyWeb site: http://www.kenworth.com Kenworth Truck Company is the manufacturer of heavy and medium weight trucks and is an industry leader in providing fuel-saving technology solutions that help increase fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. The company’s dedication to the green fleet includes aerodynamic trucks, medium duty diesel-electric hybrids, liquefied natural gas trucks, and the Kenworth Clean Power® no-idle system. Kenworth has become the first truck manufacturer to receive the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Air Excellence award in recognition of the important contribution of Kenworth hybrids and other environmental efforts. The Kenworth Renton plant is committed to waste reduction, conserving natural resources, and protecting the environment. Their latest initiatives include ISO 14001 certification, implementation of a No Idle policy, and establishment of a Zero Waste to Landfill goal. Their Zero Waste to Landfill goal is to reuse and recycle in order to reduce their landfill contribution. To date their recycling efforts have resulted in nearly 80% of all material being diverted away from landfills. Their success can be attributed to the strategic positioning of recycle bins throughout the plant, use of returnable shipping containers, reduction in packaging material, and the segregation of waste streams. In addition, last year they also implemented food waste composting in their cafeteria, sending waste to Cedar Grove for recycling into usable compost. Advice to Others: “Remain diligent in your pursuit to reduce and reuse for the betterment of the environment. Businesses should establish and incorporate policies focused on best practices for recycling and waste reduction. In addition, it is important to reach out to others in the community and share ideas. It takes the combined efforts of all to make the difference.” Region: South | Best Workplaces Map LMI Aerospace, Inc.Web site: http://www.lmiaerospace.com Auburn business LMI Aerospace, Inc. realized they had a waste disposal problem when the company’s 8 yard garbage container was continually overflowing, but their recycling bin was almost empty! The company fabricates components and sheet metal products primarily for large commercial, corporate and military aircraft. In order to combat their large quantities of trash LMI Aerospace formed a Green Team to focus on improving recycling methods, increasing employee awareness and encouraging participation. They also created Employee Classifieds to help promote the reuse of surplus furniture and other durable items. The Green Team continues to champion the recycling program throughout the year by setting recycling goals, which are tracked and then reported back to employees. Recycling guidelines are also included in orientation materials. In total they have implemented 20 recycling improvements with great success! Advice to Others: "To start a successful recycling program at any business, you really need to get support from Management! We also found we had more employee involvement when we made the recycling activities fun! We started a monthly recycling challenge and the winning work center is awarded at our monthly all plant meeting!" Region: South | Best Workplaces Map Port of Seattle – SeaTac AirportWeb site: http://www.portseattle.org/seatac/ The Port of Seattle - SeaTac Airport is committed to exhibiting environmental stewardship by implementing waste reduction and recycling practices that reduce environmental impacts of airport operations. As past winners of this award in 2007 and 2008, the airport continually seeks to improve upon past success, and in 2009 implemented an Organics Recycling program to help airport concessions and administrative offices divert food waste, food-soiled paper, and other compostable material from landfills. Pre-consumer food waste is collected from concessions, kitchens and office pantries which are then sent offsite where it‘s composted. The Port of Seattle also donates excess food to a food bank. The Organics Recycling program diverts fifteen tons of compostable airport waste each month from regional landfills, and saves thousands of dollars each year in avoided disposal fees. The Port of Seattle – SeaTac Airport is able to achieve their recycling and waste prevention goals by fully involving every level of their staff. Advice to Others: “Businesses that plan to implement waste reduction and recycling strategies will benefit by securing upper-management support, designating an individual or group to manage program implementation and operation, and broadcasting updates to staff and participants to keep them informed and enthusiastic. Specific awareness of waste stream composition will allow business to take advantage of opportunities to divert more recyclable and compostable materials. Finally, develop close relationships with those individuals or groups that either procure materials or source separate recyclables from waste. Keep them informed and provide periodic training refreshers and updates regarding the latest diversion and recycling practices. The actions of these groups can have an enormous impact on program results.” Region: South | Best Workplaces Map Seattle Airport Marriott HotelWeb site: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/seawa-seattle-airport-marriott In the last year the Seattle Airport Marriott Hotel has worked to increase its recycling of food waste as well as co-mingled recycling. As a result of their recycling and waste reduction practices they have received the Best Recycling Workplace award for the second time. By implementing these new changes they have realized cost savings as well as environmental benefits of recycling. They implemented food waste recycling in 2008 and have worked hard this year to expand the organic recycling to other areas in an effort to capture and divert even more volume. For 2009, the Seattle Airport Marriott Hotel has recycled approximately 10 tons of food waste from their kitchens and employee cafeteria. Additionally, through recycling efforts they collect approximately 2.5 tons of commingled recyclables each month. They are also continuing to bale and recycle their cardboard and have recycled 10.85 tons of cardboard this year. One of their major accomplishments for this year was a cost savings initiative that they were able to do because of the amount of recyclables that they are diverting from their compactor and landfill. Their compactor used to be on a weekly schedule and is now on an on-call basis. As a result of their recycling and waste reduction programs they have been able to reduce their compactor hauls by at least 50% per month. The Seattle Airport Marriott Hotel staff is very proud of the job that they are doing and are learning that it takes a lot of work and effort to not only maintain recycling but also identify and expand to other areas. Region: South | Best Workplaces Map TOPICS EntertainmentWeb site: http://www.topics-ent.com TOPICS Entertainment believes that corporate responsibility is as important as profits and growth. The company continues to encourage and progressively enhance companywide environmental responsibility. TOPICS educates employees about proper recycling practices through guidelines in orientation materials and with "how to recycle" posters and labels. Their efforts to promote and improve waste prevention practices are visible - recycling bins are placed at each workstation, printer, fax machine and copier, as well as every garbage bin. Due to these strong recycling practices, TOPICS has downsized their waste container from two large 10-yard dumpsters with twice-a-week collection service to a single 5-yard dumpster with once a week service. Now, their volume of waste rarely reaches a capacity of 60%. The company's recycling efforts are not limited to in-house operations; the company collaborates with retailers and suppliers to consider sustainable techniques, using recyclable materials, reducing the amount of materials required for production, and utilizing distribution methods that require the least amount of transport. As a result of their efforts, operational expenses have decreased by 15K annually, and their volume of waste has significantly decreased. Region: South | Best Workplaces Map
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Updated: Sep. 14, 2009
