WHATS YOUR 1 THING?

The paper towel roll sits in a lower drawer where it's hard to find. But we have plenty of cloth towels for cleaning up spills.  -Tom, Seattle
To conserve water my boyfriend and I shower together.  -Larissa, Mill Creek
I use phosphate free, all natural detergent and softner when I do laundry.  -Kaitlin, Tacoma
I refill four, one gallon, water bottles for work. I am a May truck driver. I hope all trucks get APU's to stop useless idling.  -Richard Carstens, Carson
I've given up plastic grocery bags altogether. I have about 7 reuseable ones which can fit just about everything I need.  -JenF, West Seattle
I don't drive anywhere one day a week and one weekend a month.  -Charlotte, Vashon Island
I don't water my lawn, my clothes dryer broke down in April,as a result I now use clothes racks for drying, & shop thrift stores  -Beverly, Enumclaw
My housemates and I have a big vegie garden going in our yard and are watering with collected rain. Tasts so good!  -Bruce, Lake City
I started commuting by bike a year ago -- not only do I get some exercise, but it's a great stress reliever :)  -LB, seattle
I now use my reusable bags when I go to the grocery store instead of using the plastic bags the stores give out.  -Marilene, Seattle
i started recycling like crazy. my husband and i even set up recycle bins at work and bring them home everyday.  -C.P + A.P., poulsbo
I Carry a travel mug with me for coffee.  -Katie, Kelowna
I install energy efficient heating and cooling systems as well as solar and geothermal.  -Travis, Marysville
I put a watering can under the faucet while I am waiting for the water to get hot.  -Holly, Seattle
My boyfriend and I ride our bikes to school everday, a gas tank lasts us about two weeks. Take that gas prices!  -Caitie, Bellingham
I use cloth instead of paper:cloth napkins, cloth kitchen towels, bandanas for runny noses, cloth bag instead of paper/plastic  -Tara, Shoreline, WA
I used a refillable water bottle instead of disposable ones.  -Amiee, Seattle
When shopping, if I can carry my purchase out with my two hands I always refuse the bag. Recycling's good too :)  -Candice, Des Moines
I use cloth shopping bags. PCC has some $10 bags made by envirosax that fold up so small, I even took one to the mall.  -Joni, Seattle
I recycle whenever possible. but when im out in public i cant always recycle because there isnt always public recycling cans.  -Kayla, seattle
I use cloth bags instead of taking the plastic bag they offer  -William, Fort Lewis
I recycle my Aquarium water after a change and use it to water my garden.  -Ray, Renton
I recycle paper, cans, bottles and I have a compost pile for the garden.  -Colette, Tacoma
I recycle my old printed documents by using the clean side as scratch paper before I recycle them in the WOW bin.  -Joanne, Everett
ALL of the light bulbs in my house and outside are the low energy bulbs(11watts) I use less bulbs in all the rooms esp. the bath  -Kaye, Hemet,Ca
Solar heated water and a soapstone masonry heater with baking oven minimize our propane use. Awesome.  -Michele Keyes, Olga
I only use naturally derived cleaning products in my home. No chemcals. They smell fantastic!  -Mina, Kirkland
We've changed nearly all our ligh bulbs to the new compact type..they may not look beautiful but it's worth the savings!  -Angela, Black Diamond
I have a Klean Kanteen stainess steel water bottle that I carry with me instead of constantly buying plastic disposable ones!  -Laelle, Tacoma
I have carpooled my whole life as I have never owned a car.  -Faith, Everett
We are diligent to ensure that our recycling meets the guidelines provided.  -M, Redmond
using bar soaps instead of plastic bottled soaps = less packaging. also using all natural dish soaps.  -karin, poulsbo
I ride my bike as much as possible rather then drive my car. I can easily put 150 miles on my bike a week this time of year.  -Lyn, Kent
Whenever I find it on, I turn off the light in my company's conference room.  -Jill, Seattle
I use my own coffee mug and water bottle at work instead of the paper cups  -Priya, Bellevue
save the planet  -bill Sather, monroe
Changed all my home bulbs to the new hallogen ones.  -Todd, Seattle
We started hanging up our clothes out side to dry them.  -Riley, Kirkland
i turn my water of when im brushing my teeth. :D  -kayla, lynnwood
Stop using poison Roundup. Spray vinegar-kill weeds - driveway, sidewalk, between pavers. Breaks down, doesn't hurt Sound.  -Susan, Seattle
I started a blog to help green parents reduce their energy use and exposure to toxins.  -Kathleen R., Seattle
I'm enrolled in '100% Green Power' through Puget Sound Energy.  -Rick, Federal Way
Make sure the car is running as efficiently as possible  -Laura, seattle
Turn off water while washing my hair in the shower and between hand washed dishes.  -Mila, Seattle
I now bike everywhere i used to go in a car to get to friends houses.  -Steven , Sammamish
I recycled a car. Bought a 1990 VW Cabriolet, 32 miles to the gallon, for $950. I make 6 figures but set the standard for reuse!  -David, Kirkland
My boyfriend and I (we've been together a long while) shower together every morning. It saves water and energy heating water  -Angie, Port Orchard
Air-dry my laundry.  -Kristine, Seattle
Only buy local produce. -Lindy, Bellevue  -Lindy, Bellevue
When washing your hands, turn off the faucet while lathering and scrubbing, then turn the water on again to rinse.  -DeDe, Seattle
 

Finding Contractors

April 4, 2008 - 3:23pm — clybecker

If you’ve got a larger project than you’re incapable of handling alone, finding an environmentally minded contractor is an important first step. There are currently a variety of different “green” certifications and standards for contractors all of which mean different things.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is probably the most well known comprehensive green building standard. It is a national program run by the US Green Building Council (USGBC), and it has different standards epending on the type of project you are undertaking. Their residential housing ertification is still in its early stages, but even if you don’t want your project to be LEED certified, finding a LEED accredited contractor is a good idea. It shows that the contractor is educated in many of the important aspects of sustainable building. There are hundreds of LEED accredited professionals in the Seattle area, and a directory can be found on the USGBC website.

A local but equally important standard to look for is the Built Green label. Built Green is a Washington based non-profit that offers 1-5 star certification of any new construction or remodeling project. Contractors that are Built Green members have taken a course in applying the Built Green standard to their projects, and are capable of applying their checklist of green building objectives. Again, even if you decide not to certify your project, a contractor who is a Built Green member is more likely to understand the concepts of sustainable building.

Another local resource is the Eco-Builders Guild. They offer services and information for both homeowners and contractors, including an expanding library of articles on the latest in green building. Even non-members can access most of their resources through their website, so be sure to check it out before your next green project.