WHATS YOUR 1 THING?

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
Alot of people forget about being green at work, put an extra garbage can next to your desk for recyclables.  -Tim, Seattle
I replaced all light bulbs in my home with energy efficient bulbs.  -Karri, Bothell
I have a Klean Kanteen stainess steel water bottle that I carry with me instead of constantly buying plastic disposable ones!  -Laelle, Tacoma
When I see a light turn yellow, I turn off the ignition and coast up to it.  -Erin, West Seattle
Buy Local  -Sue, Seattle
I put a watering can under the faucet while I am waiting for the water to get hot.  -Holly, Seattle
I RECYCLE JUST ABOUT ANY THING YOU CAN THINK OF.. I EVEN TAKE THE TIME TO STRIP RECYCLABLES OF NON-RECYCLABLE MATERIALS DO YOU ?  -RON, OAK HARBOR,WA.
Whenever I find it on, I turn off the light in my company's conference room.  -Jill, 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
I switch OFF the print option on my calculator at work. Eliminating the register tape on 99% of the caluations I do.  -Dawn, Marysville
We recycle everything we can in the house.  -Michel, Auburn
I have a chemical free yard and recycle faithfully. Also I grow my own vegetables.  -Lauri, Seattle
I bike to work  -Linda, Anacortes
Water barrels, CFlightbulbs, organic gardening, mulching, composting, recycling, natural pet food. The Johnsons - Steilacoom  -Joyce, Steilacoom
I installed a gray water toilet, using one of our rain barrels.  -Rich , Seattle
i turn my water of when im brushing my teeth. :D  -kayla, lynnwood
My partner and I take showers together  -L, Everett
I purposely keep all my receipts in my purse and then clean through my purse with a recycling bin by my side :)  -Cassi, Seattle
we raise quarter horses and one thing we do is catch rain water and use it to spray down the arena.  -Leah, Freeland
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
I am parking my car 3 days a week, finding other ways to commute to work.  -Janelle, Bothell
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 now use my reusable bags when I go to the grocery store instead of using the plastic bags the stores give out.  -Marilene, 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
Follow my kids around shutting off lights and making sure the water is shut off.Sounds funny but my house saves elec/water.  -Michel Brooks, Auburn
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 take the metro bus.  -Caroline, Seattle
Turn off the water heater if away for a few days. Use dimmers on our lights. Use motion lights outside for security.  -Michelle, Redmond
I have a beautiful, locally made coffee mug I use every day at work instead of paper or Styrofoam.  -Michelle, Redmond
I recycle all the garbage I can.  -Sheldon, Orting, WA
I turn of the water while brushing my teeth and doing dishes  -michela, vancouver
I use a "GREEN" product called Eximo to remove oil stains from my driveway to prevent toxic water runoff.  -Derek, Issaquah
Only printing when I absolutely have to. Take advantage of technology and use less paper, save it online!  -Aileen H., Seattle
Changed jobs so now I'm only 3 mi from home.  -MB, Seattle
Built our "chicken condo" and children's tree fort out of recycled wood from local demos.  -Vicki, Puyallup
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 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
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 grow as many vegetables as I can year round at my neighborhood P-Patch. I give extras to neighborhood foodbank or neighbors.  -Cristina , 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
Changed all my home bulbs to the new hallogen ones.  -Todd, Seattle
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
I bought a BPA-free water bottle and take it to work every day, instead of consuming several bottled waters a week.  -Stacey, Renton
I use reusable canvas bags when grocery shopping.  -Linda, Puyallup
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 use the new mesh grocery bags instead of paper or plastic  -Danica, Seattle
I recycle my old printed documents by using the clean side as scratch paper before I recycle them in the WOW bin.  -Joanne, Everett
I signed up for a food PLUS+ compost recycling bin and cut our trash way down.  -TJ, bellingham
I don't drive anywhere one day a week and one weekend a month.  -Charlotte, Vashon Island
 

Recycling

April 4, 2008 - 1:07pm — clybecker

Did you know that over half the materials thrown away into the King County landfill could have been recycled?  Make recycling as easy and convenient as possible.  Put recycling bins next to every desk and leave the garbage can in one central area.  Not only will people be more likely to recycle (now that they don’t have to make a special trip for it), you can also more easily observe what is being wasted.  Knowing what’s in your company’s trash is the first step to more effective recycling.

More tips:
* Check to see how much of your paper is made from post-consumer recycled content.  The higher the “post-consumer waste” percentage, the better.

*Appoint a “Chief Recycling Officer” who can educate and motivate fellow employees, and help measure performance.

*King County does not recycle shredded paper—the material is hard to keep contained in bales.  Instead, you can compost small amounts of shredded paper or reuse it as packaging filler.

*Choose from a large group of local recyclers to pick up materials.  Businesses can work individually with private recyclers to set up a service that meets their needs.  Visit King County’s “What do I do with…?” More information.

*Become an EnviroStar through the King County Hazardous Waste Program.  Businesses are rated on a two to five star scale based on their commitment to reducing hazardous waste.  Businesses that receive three stars or more receive website and newsprint recognition.

Remember, the recycling process still takes up energy and resources, so reusing is always going to be greener.  For more ideas on how to reuse office products, see our “Office Supplies” section.