WHATS YOUR 1 THING?

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
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
I recycle all the garbage I can.  -Sheldon, Orting, WA
We recycle everything we can in the house.  -Michel, Auburn
I have compact florescent bulbs in most of my light fixtures at home  -Anne, Seattle
I'm enrolled in '100% Green Power' through Puget Sound Energy.  -Rick, Federal Way
Buy Local  -Sue, Seattle
Buy local, support stores that buy from local vendors! Shop seaonal fruits and veg. Minimize shoppping the "commercial stores".  -Virginia, Kitsap County
I bring my own mug instead of getting a papercup from the Coffee Shop!  -Sarah , Seattle
At work, I have a drinking glass at my desk. Can take it home to wash and avoids using disposable cups.  -Erin, Bothell
Dry clothes outside as often as possible!  -Jennifer, Redmond
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
we raise quarter horses and one thing we do is catch rain water and use it to spray down the arena.  -Leah, Freeland
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
The signature line on my email says:"Save the earth! A tree! Be green!Do not use the print machine!"  -Emily, Lynnwood
I now bike everywhere i used to go in a car to get to friends houses.  -Steven , Sammamish
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 food scraps (mostly unwanted vegetable parts) into the yard waste. This way it gets composted.  -Monica, Redmond
Eating raw food.  -Sadee, Seattle
I use a drying rack for my thinner clothing instead of the dryer. Cuts my elec bill and drying time!  -Erin, West Seattle
Turn off water while washing my hair in the shower and between hand washed dishes.  -Mila, Seattle
I have a beautiful, locally made coffee mug I use every day at work instead of paper or Styrofoam.  -Michelle, Redmond
I garden with Pacific Northwest native trees and shrubs to save water and attract birds.  -Erick, Seattle
Whenever possible, I try to buy personal care products that are botanical and not tested on animals.  -Donna, Seattle
I use reusable canvas bags when grocery shopping.  -Linda, Puyallup
I turn the heat dry cycle off on my dishwasher to save energy.  -Amy, Bellevue
Changed all my home bulbs to the new hallogen ones.  -Todd, Seattle
I have carpooled my whole life as I have never owned a car.  -Faith, Everett
I buy organic, local food whenever possible to support farming and food transport that is best for my family and our world.  -Ardel, Snohomish, WA
I am parking my car 3 days a week, finding other ways to commute to work.  -Janelle, Bothell
I work @ home, so have flexibility. From May-Oct, I try to line dry all but 3X/month. I save 100 hours of dryer time a year!  -Deirdre, Vashon
Only buy local produce. -Lindy, Bellevue  -Lindy, Bellevue
I installed a gray water toilet, using one of our rain barrels.  -Rich , Seattle
Built our "chicken condo" and children's tree fort out of recycled wood from local demos.  -Vicki, Puyallup
NW Biodiesel Network Monthly MeetingBiodiesel - It's All About the Quality. 8/26/08. www.nwbiodiesel.org/.  -Joe, Seattle
I use biodegradable bags for my dog's waste.  -Monica, Seattle
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 educate my neighbors about surface water run off to the Puget Sound and encourage them to properly dispose of pet waste.  -Jacqui, Snohomish
I only use naturally derived cleaning products in my home. No chemcals. They smell fantastic!  -Mina, Kirkland
To conserve water my boyfriend and I shower together.  -Larissa, Mill Creek
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 re-use my travel mug instead of accepting disposable coffee cups. Some places even offer a discount when I do this.  -Bill, Issaquah
I put a watering can under the faucet while I am waiting for the water to get hot.  -Holly, Seattle
Go Solar!!!! Yes it works here!  -Kate, Seattle
I live in the community I work in.  -Kara, Olympia
If I'm not using an electronic or a light it isn't plugged in or turned on.  -Ashley, Seattle
I take the metro bus.  -Caroline, Seattle
I quit buying bottled water.  -Tony Russell, 100.7 The Wolf
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 switch OFF the print option on my calculator at work. Eliminating the register tape on 99% of the caluations I do.  -Dawn, Marysville
 

King County Library System: Building Green Libraries

April 24, 2008 - 11:46am — clybecker

When new libraries are built and existing libraries are renovated, KCLS is taking steps to ensure that green standards are followed. This is especially important as enhancements are planned for all 43 KCLS libraries to meet community needs during the next decade. Although KCLS is not required to adhere to official green building standards, an environmentally friendly building approach is a priority. The principle is to build as greenly as possible, while being fiscally responsible.

There are five areas that green building standards target: site planning, water conservation, energy savings, recycled materials and the quality of the indoor environment. To ensure that KCLS libraries are built in accordance with acceptable green guidelines, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards are followed. The standards are well-known in the building industry, although fiscal responsibility prevents most KCLS libraries from gaining official certification.

There are a few unique projects, however, such as the new Burien Library. This library will be LEED-certified as it is being planned in conjunction with the new Burien City Hall and the city will fund some of the certification cost. The new Sammamish Library also is being designed with some additional green features, such as a partial green roof and radiant heating. To learn more, please visit www.kcls.org/bond/building_green.cfm.

To learn more about green living and other related topics, check out a special collection of green materials in the KCLS collection, called infoGreen, by visiting www.kcls.org/research/infogreen/.