WHATS YOUR 1 THING?

I take keep my reusable grocery bags in my car so I always have them available when I go to the store.  -Cherel, Washougal
At work I buy 100% post consumer paper for our office printing & copying needs.  -Averie, Bellevue
I only drive when absolutely necessary. Biking, walking or busing is 1Thing I do to help reduce my impact on our planet.  -Jenny Konway, Seattle
I put food scraps (mostly unwanted vegetable parts) into the yard waste. This way it gets composted.  -Monica, Redmond
I turn of the water while brushing my teeth and doing dishes  -michela, vancouver
Water barrels, CFlightbulbs, organic gardening, mulching, composting, recycling, natural pet food. The Johnsons - Steilacoom  -Joyce, Steilacoom
I unplug appliances I don't use on a regular basis like toaster and coffeemaker, microwave and other small appliances.  -Faith, Everett
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
At work, I have a drinking glass at my desk. Can take it home to wash and avoids using disposable cups.  -Erin, Bothell
wearing flip flops. (no socks to wash!)  -S, Renton
Alot of people forget about being green at work, put an extra garbage can next to your desk for recyclables.  -Tim, Seattle
Seattle based Go Financial Solutions to deliver a secure eDisclosure service to their customers. 100% paperless mortgage loan.  -Joe, Seattle
I use a "GREEN" product called Eximo to remove oil stains from my driveway to prevent toxic water runoff.  -Derek, Issaquah
I'm enrolled in '100% Green Power' through Puget Sound Energy.  -Rick, Federal Way
I use a non-disposable coffee filter and use the grounds in my garden.  -Jill, Renton
I recycle paper, cans, bottles and I have a compost pile for the garden.  -Colette, Tacoma
We got chickens and reuse other peoples' egg cartons to disperse our extra eggs to family and friends. Commercial eggs, blech!  -Heather, Clinton
I've stopped using plastic cutlery when I bring my lunch to work.  -Liz, Bremerton
I use the new mesh grocery bags instead of paper or plastic  -Danica, Seattle
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
using bar soaps instead of plastic bottled soaps = less packaging. also using all natural dish soaps.  -karin, poulsbo
I use reusable canvas bags when grocery shopping.  -Linda, Puyallup
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 encouraged my collage (the art institute of Ft Lauderdale) to add receycleing bins in the Class room. I was successful.  -William, Ft Lauderdale
I use phosphate free, all natural detergent and softner when I do laundry.  -Kaitlin, Tacoma
Changed all my home bulbs to the new hallogen ones.  -Todd, Seattle
When I see a light turn yellow, I turn off the ignition and coast up to it.  -Erin, West Seattle
Replace bath towels with half sized hand towels, plenty of towel to get the job done. Reduces laundry/energy/water/soap 1/2.  -Michael, Quilcene
I drive my motorcycle as often as possible instead of my car - 50 mpg helps some.  -Bruce, Lake City
I live in the community I work in.  -Kara, Olympia
i am launching an eco-conscious clothing line: www.salvationware.com!  -jme, redmond
I carpool with my divorced spouse 5 days a week.If we can make it work, you can make it work!  -Sherry, Arlington, WA
Ive switched jobs in construction to a company that builds green homes!They can save ya hella cash-ola!  -JD, seattle
I sell and use laundrypure in my home to remove soaps,bleach and other chemicals from my water discharge into city sewer system  -eric byers, Gig Harbor
I recycle @ home & work; and use boxes wine comes in for many crafts. Also I educate every one I can to recycle.  -Freilah Allen-Sonn, Renton
Solar heated water and a soapstone masonry heater with baking oven minimize our propane use. Awesome.  -Michele Keyes, Olga
instead of throwing out old things, i find someone who can use them, i even rehome the things my neighborhood puts on the curb.  -C.P., poulsbo
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
i put my kitchen compost for yardwaste into cereal boxes, which then also become compostable  -Tammy, Seattle
Changed jobs so now I'm only 3 mi from home.  -MB, Seattle
I use as much wood as possible as it a renewable resource and the global demand for wood does not exceed the annual growth rate.  -Ed, Portland Oregon
I buy as much as I can from local farmers and practice being a 'locavore' as much as possible.  -Sean, Camden, SC
I use hankies instead of kleenex. If you wash them with existing laundry and use a new one each day or so, they don't get gross.  -Gracie, Federal Way
I recycle all the garbage I can and compost food scraps. I try to buy organic products with minimal or biodegradable packaging.  -Megan, Tacoma
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
For drying clothes I use a clothesline when the weather is good, or a wooden drying rack in the house when it's not.  -Jeanne, Onalaska
I use a skim of toothpaste on my toothbrush. My teeth get just as clean and less pollutants go down the drain.  -Susanne , Bellevue
to get to places like school, and other towns i walk, ride my bike, rollerblade and when necessary, take the metro.  -kylie repp, snoqualmie
I put a sweater on instead of turning up the heat  -Jake, Puyallup
I only use naturally derived cleaning products in my home. No chemcals. They smell fantastic!  -Mina, Kirkland
 

City Of Seattle

April 4, 2008 - 1:23pm — clybecker

We are very lucky to live and play in such an environmentally minded city.  As the “Emerald City” it is our job to protect and preserve it.  The Office of Sustainability and Environment is where you should begin your search for what the city is doing to help keep our city environmentally healthy and beautiful. 

The issue of climate protection in particular is hotter than ever and the impacts of climate disruption are widely felt in the Seattle region and beyond.  The City of Seattle has developed a number of programs to address climate issues, both locally and nationally.  Did you know that nearly 700 mayors from around the country have signed on with Mayor Nickels and his US Climate Protection Agreement?  This agreement aims to beat Kyoto Protocol targets for reducing climate pollution. 

Other Climate programs happening with the City:

Seattle Climate Action NOW.  Check them out to learn great ways to start making a real difference, no matter where you are.  They have an interactive website where you can calculate your carbon footprint, find climate protection resources and tools, it is full of helpful tips on climate change. 

Seattle Climate Partnership is a voluntary pact among Seattle-area employers to take action to reduce their own emissions, and to work together to help meet the community-wide goal of beating the pollution target of the Kyoto Protocol.

The Green Seattle Partnership is a collaboration between the City of Seattle and Cascade Land Conservancy.  GSP is a one-time, 20-year investment in the restoration of our forests. This partnership is based on the understanding that, within 20 years, if no attention or help is given, 70% of our forests (2,500 acres) will be an ecological dead zone were invasive plants predominate, trees are dead or dying and wildlife habitat is gone.

The Office of Sustainability and Environment also has a Green Seattle Guide for you to check out on actions you can take to promote a healthy urban environment.