The PlayGreen Pages

Smart Green Tip: Think Before You Print

2013-07-11T09:40:00.001-07:00

From our friends at the Green Business Bureau!

One of the easiest ways for small businesses to save money is to manage office printing. An organized printing policy can help your business save not only paper but also ink and toner too.

Following are 5 simple tips from the Green Business Bureau to help you cut your printing costs and save natural resources:

Set computer defaults to print double-sided. Set all computer software to print double sided by default. Also encourage office employees to print on both sides of the page. These small steps double or quadruple your printing efficiency!
Post informative signs near printers and copiers. Use catchy language such “Think Before You Print” or “Print on Both Sides and Save Trees.”
Print in draft mode for internal communication. By selecting lower quality print, you save ink and toner.
Click preview before printing. This is particularly useful when printing web pages. Make sure you are only printing information that you want.
Download the Ecofont. Save up to 50% on printer ink and toner with EcoFont software.

Learn other paper reduction strategies from the experts at Ask Green Irene.

Green Business Bureau
www.gbb.org

Seattle to Build Nation's FIRST Food Forest (all together now: "oooooooooh!")

2013-04-04T11:42:00.000-07:00

Thank you to Michelle Underwood for sending this in!

It’s Not a Fairytale:

Seattle to Build Nation’s First Food Forest

Forget meadows. The city’s new park will be filled with edible plants, and everything from pears to herbs will be free for the taking.

by Clare Leschin-Hoar

February 21, 2012

Source: http://www.takepart.com/article/2012/02/21/its-not-fairytale-seattle-build-nations-first-food-forest

Hungry? Just head over to the park. Seattle's new food forest aims to be an edible wilderness!
(Photo: Buena Vista Images/Getty Images)

Seattle’s vision of an urban food oasis is going forward. A seven-acre plot of land in the city’s Beacon Hill neighborhood will be planted with hundreds of different kinds of edibles: walnut and chestnut trees; blueberry and raspberry bushes; fruit trees, including apples and pears; exotics like pineapple, yuzu citrus, guava, persimmons, honeyberries, and lingonberries; herbs; and more. All will be available for public plucking to anyone who wanders into the city’s first food forest.

“This is totally innovative, and has never been done before in a public park,” Margarett Harrison, lead landscape architect for the Beacon Food Forest project, tells TakePart. Harrison is working on construction and permit drawings now and expects to break ground this summer.

The concept of a food forest certainly pushes the envelope on urban agriculture and is grounded in the concept of permaculture, which means it will be perennial and self-sustaining, like a forest is in the wild. Not only is this forest Seattle’s first large-scale permaculture project, but it’s also believed to be the first of its kind in the nation.

“The concept means we consider the soils, companion plants, insects, bugs—everything will be mutually beneficial to each other,” says Harrison.

That the plan came together at all is remarkable on its own. What started as a group project for a permaculture design course ended up as a textbook example of community outreach gone right.

“Friends of the Food Forest undertook heroic outreach efforts to secure neighborhood support. The team mailed over 6,000 postcards in five different languages, tabled at events and fairs, and posted fliers,” writes Robert Mellinger for Crosscut.

Neighborhood input was so valued by the organizers, they even used translators to help Chinese residents have a voice in the planning.

So just who gets to harvest all that low-hanging fruit when the time comes?

“Anyone and everyone,” says Harrison. “There was major discussion about it. People worried, ‘What if someone comes and takes all the blueberries?’ That could very well happen, but maybe someone needed those blueberries. We look at it this way—if we have none at the end of blueberry season, then it means we’re successful.”

Want to help out?
We are looking for Beacon Hill community members, local institutions and city wide volunteers to join together, build and grow a Food Forest. You can join our mailing list or become a volunteer by going here. You can also donate money to the project by going here.

Introducing 5 New National Monuments!

2013-03-28T11:22:00.000-07:00

President Obama has just protected key wild places and wildlife by designating FIVE new national monuments.

The new national monuments are:

Washington State's San Juan Islands

"President Obama today designated a national monument in the San Juan Islands, proclaiming the archipelago “a refuge of scientific and historic treasures and a classroom for generations of Americans.” The designation will offer additional protections for some 1,000 acres of undeveloped federal lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management. It does not move any new lands under federal control." --Seattle Times

Rio Grande del Norte

"The Río Grande del Norte National Monument will boost economic growth in northern New Mexico while permanently protecting the heritage, water and approximately 240,000 acres of natural areas and wildlife habitat in the region. “I applaud President Obama protecting Rio Grande del Norte National Monument because many of the wildlife species that live in that corridor come in and out of this area. Left unprotected, there may be very few animals available that the Native American people of Taos Pueblo depend on for food, clothing and shelter," says Benito Sandoval, Taos Pueblo War Chief." -Indian Country Today Media Network

Harriet Tubman Historic Site in Maryland

"President Barack Obama set aside 480 acres on the Eastern Shore on Monday as a national monument to honor Harriet Tubman — a victory for advocates who have long sought to memorialize the abolitionist's role in leading dozens of slaves to freedom. Advocates and a bipartisan group of lawmakers described the rare presidential proclamation as a significant step in what has been a long and often grueling campaign to pay homage to Tubman, who escaped slavery but returned to the Eastern Shore 13 times to free others." --Baltimore Sun

Charles Young House in Ohio

"Col. Charles Young, a distinguished officer in the United States Army, was the third black to graduate from West Point and first to achieve a colonel ranking. He later became a professor of military science at Wilberforce University. Young served as an army superintendent of Sequioa and General Grant National Parks before the National Parks Service establishment in 1916." -Dayton Daily News

First State National Monument in Delaware

"Delaware has 689 historic places, 13 historic landmarks and now one national monument. President Obama created five new national monuments Monday, including the first one for Delaware and the 400th unit of the National Park Service. First State National Monument (Delaware was first to ratify the U.S. Constitution) includes several colonial sites, starting with Dover Green, where the legislature met to make its historic vote in 1787, and the New Castle Court House, where the then colony voted to separate from Britain. " -LA Times

WA State Parks---FREE DAYS!!!!

2013-03-27T09:09:00.002-07:00

Thank you Kristin Troka for sharing!!!

State Parks free days

Washington State Parks has announced the following "free days," when the Discover Pass will not be required to visit a state park.

Following are the 2013 State Parks “free days”:

Jan. 21 – In honor of Martin Luther King Day
March 30 – In honor of Washington State Parks’ 100th birthday on March 19
April 27 and 28 – National Parks Week
June 1 – National Trails Day
June 8 and 9 – National Get Outdoors Day and Department of Fish and Wildlife Free Fishing weekend
Aug. 4 – Peak season free day
Sept. 28 – National Public Lands Day
Nov. 9 through 11 – Veteran’s Day weekend

A Discover Pass will still be required on these days to access lands managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Source: http://www.discoverpass.wa.gov/faq/#freedays

A Victory for the San Juan Islands!

2013-03-25T11:15:00.004-07:00

It’s an exciting day for Washington. President Obama just designated the San Juan Islands a National Monument!

The new 1,000-acre monument has critical nesting habitat for the largest population of nesting bald eagles in the lower 48 states. It protects stands of old growth forests that line the iconic islands, and magnificent views of whales and seals swimming off shore.

Thanks to petitions, hard work of environmental organizations throughout the state, and our states decision-makers, we can finally say that the San Juan Islands, a gem of Washington State, will be permanently protected for future generations.

If you should feel so inclined, you may click the link in the photo above to send the President a note of thanks!

Earth Hour is Coming this Saturday!!!

2013-03-20T16:33:00.002-07:00

THIS Saturday We Change the World…..AGAIN!!!

Hello EVERYONE!!!

This Saturday, March 23^rd at 8:30pm, PlayNetwork will join hundreds of millions of people across the globe in switching off the lights of its business premises for one hour –Earth Hour, the world’s largest public environmental action!!!	Buckingham Palace will go dark again!
This is open to every single PlayNetwork employee across the globe! Invite your clients, your vendors, your friends and your neighbors! PlayNetwork is an official participant in this event and last year we had 27 employees make the commitment to participate at home. This year is our 5^th year--- LET’S SEE THAT NUMBER GROW!

We would like to invite you, as a valued rock star PlayNetwork employee, to join us and other employees AROUND THE WORLD in what promises to be an amazing and inspiring global celebration of our collective commitment to the planet.

To get that participation number up the entire PlayGreen Team would like to pose this challenge to you:

If 50 employees participate in Earth Hour the PlayGreen Team will commit to eating 100% vegetarian (and/or vegan) for an entire week! This will happen the week of April 1^st (if the numbers are there).

And for extra fun……if 75 employees participate we will do a polar bear swim in Lake Sammamish! This would happen sometime the week of March 25^th, again, if the numbers are there!

We should all be proud to work for a company that is showing leadership in solutions to our environmental challenges and join them in taking part in Earth Hour 2013.

In only 5 years what started as a simple act in one city (Sydney, Australia) has since grown into a global celebration driven by YOU! Reaching 18 BILLION people from more than 7,000 cities, in 152 countries and territories, across every continent switched off their lights for Earth Hour 2012, creating history again as the world’s largest ever grassroots environmental movement in history.

To get a better sense of the magnitude and inspiring nature of the event, please take a moment to watch the Earth Hour 2012 video at www.youtube.com/earthhour. It is absolutely inspiring and worth the few minutes to watch it.

Participating in Earth Hour is easy, fun and absolutely free. To get more information visit www.earthhour.org, where you can sign up to switch off, share your action and celebrate with the people of the world your commitment to the one thing we all have in common – the planet.

Flip the Switch.

Make the Change.

PlayGREEN!!!

Thank you for all your support. Meet you in the dark!

PlayGreen | Guiding Principles Committee | PlayNetwork | PlayGreen | E: playgreen@PlayNetwork.com

The PlayGreen team is dedicated to providing awareness and encouraging participation on positive environmental progress in our professional and personal lives, as well as our community. We are committed as stewards to take the necessary steps towards making a difference in Playnetwork’s carbon footprint.

P please consider the environment before printing this email

****Want more PlayGreen news?? Subscribe to the blog by clicking right….HERE!****

Will You Be A Green Valentine?

2013-02-13T10:17:00.002-08:00

Copied from HuffingtonPost.com

Outside of the chocolates, roses and dinner reservations, there are many ways to green your Valentine's Day. Be it a date spent out in nature, or an eco friendly gift idea, check out some of these ways to show the earth you love her too!

Dinner at Home

Make a romantic, organically candle lit dinner at home. It's cheaper, less stress of finding a reservation at the right place, and perfectly private - ooh lala!

Handmade Cards

Make your own cards or support a local artist who hand makes cards from recycled materials. Also shop online at spots like Tiny Prints.

Skip the Flowers

Buy and give a locally, organic grown plant. Your loved one will be able to enjoy it a lot longer then expensive flowers that will wilt as soon as the clock strikes midnight on the 15th ; ) Or better yet, plant a tree and as your love grows, the tree will be a reminder of when the seed was planted!

Organic Chocolate

Opt for local, organic, fair trade and/or vegan chocolates. Not only are they healthier for your body, they are healthier for the earth and its inhabitants!

Romantic Picnic

Instead of the usual dinner date, go on a hike and pack a picnic. Get out in nature and enjoy a delicious meal overlooking a gorgeous view!

Get Wild!

Book a retreat in a wildlife reserve, park or natural area.

Ice Skating

Ice skating on a frozen lake. Well, be sure it's safe but it's a highly fun and romantic way to enjoy the season.

Volunteer!

Volunteer! You and your main squeeze can share your love with others by making a date to help an organization in need. Be it helping out at an animal shelter or habitat for humanity, nothing is more fulfilling then helping others.

Sow the Seeds of Love

Sow the seeds of love ; ) Spend the day planting an organic garden. This way you enjoy a mutual activity and get to enjoy the health, eco and budget benefits all year long!

No matter if you've got a honey or not, be sure to make it a day full of love and fun!

Watch a City-Sized Glacier Collapse (Video)

2013-02-12T09:00:00.001-08:00

Copied directly from Treehugger.com

Youtube/Screen capture

Awe-Inspiring Excerpt from the Movie Chasing Ice

The makers of the movie Chasing Ice were able to capture on film the largest ice calving ever witnessed by humans (so far, but that might not last the way things are going with our planet's climate). It was the Jakobshavn Glacier (aka Ilulissat Glacier) in Western Greenland. The apocalyptic event lasted for more than an hour and when things stabilized, the glacier had retreated a full mile across a calving face three miles wide!

I haven't seen Chasing Ice yet, but after this, I want to!

For more info, including on where you can see the film, check out the official movie website.

For past coverage on TreeHugger, see: The Beauty of "Chasing Ice" and The Importance of Climate Action.

Below is the official trailer:

http://www.treehugger.com/climate-change/watch-glacier-size-city-collapse-video.html

The Truth About Your Slow Metabolism

2013-02-12T09:00:00.000-08:00

Copied directly from JillianMichaels.com

You probably know someone who can eat everything in sight, but still struggles to keep weight on. I don't know about you, but I can't do that. My metabolism certainly doesn't allow it — and I am guessing yours doesn't either. So where does a slowpoke metabolism come from and how do you change it? You probably want to blame bad genes for your metabolism. Sure, blame your parents! That's the easy way out. Genes are only a piece of the picture — it's the choices you make every day that are to blame. Wise up and take the responsibility yourself!

When we starve ourselves on yo-yo diets, eat processed foods, surround ourselves with toxins, work beyond the point of exhaustion, all these choices influence the way our metabolism processes food, burns calories, and regulates weight. To learn how to manipulate our biochemistry to our benefit, we have to understand how our hormones have already been manipulated to our detriment. Here are some of the ways.

Too many lazy years:

You've spent a lot of time on the couch. Don't blame your lagging metabolism just because you never exercised.

Too many yo-yo diets:

Instead of maintaining a stable weight, you've developed a frustrating up-and-down weight-loss pattern. You know the drill: You've repeatedly gone on extreme diets and lost weight, then you've slipped back into your old ways of eating and regained that weight.

Too many of the same foods, all processed:

You've consumed frankenfoods that your body doesn't recognize as real food — because they're not!

Too many pesticides in our food:

Some farmers spray harmful pesticides on our food, and you've chosen those over organic foods.

Too many toxins in our environment:

More than 100,000 synthetic chemicals have been registered for commercial use — with 2,000 more added each year — but very few of them have been tested adequately for toxicity. You've been exposed to many synthetic chemicals in products in and around your home.

Too many bad bugs — and not enough good ones:

You've tried to rid yourselves of pests with an onslaught of antibacterial products, which is pointless and not beneficial for the healthy functioning of your immune system.

Too many hours at work — and not enough in bed:

You've let yourself get stressed out. Stress is like kryptonite for your hormones — even just a bit of it can throw them entirely out of whack.

Too many pharmaceuticals — even in our water:

You've taken prescriptions dashed off by your doctor and haven't always checked out how they might interact with certain herbs, vitamins, or other supplements or prescriptions. All these pharmaceuticals could have a serious impact on your hormonal health.

Too many cigarettes:

You've ignored all the medical findings on the damage smoking can cause. Smoking negatively impacts endocrine glands, which produce hormones, in addition to pretty much every cell in your body.

Basically too much, period! Yes, there is no denying that we are struggling with an environment that conspires to make and keep us fat. But you have the power to do something about it! You need to realize that your metabolism and hormones can start working for you again — just clean up your act with a healthy home and healthy eating, and you'll be able to tip the balance toward staying naturally skinny.

http://www.jillianmichaels.com/fit/lose-weight/are-your-genes-your-scapegoat?xid=nl_LosingItWithJillianMichaels_20130205

2013 Ford Focus Electric Gets Huge Price Cut

2013-02-11T14:08:00.004-08:00

Copied directly from Treehugger.com

© Ford

Ford Trying to Spur Electric Car Sales

When the Ford Focus Electric was first unveiled, I thought it would be one of the best-selling electric vehicles on the market. But things turned out otherwise (so far), with relatively soft sales. Is it because Ford didn't push it hard enough? Because the price difference with the Nissan LEAF is too high, especially now that Nissan is cutting its EV's price tag? Distribution issues?

In any case, Ford wants to shift things to a higher gear, and to that effect, it is reducing both the leasing and purchasing prices of the Focus Electric.

© Ford

Detroit News reports:

Ford is offering customers up to $10,750 off for three-year leases, according to the Dearborn automaker's website. It also has dropped the base price of the Focus EV by $2,000 for cash sales.

In addition, Ford is offering a $2,000 cash discount on the Focus EV and 1.9 percent financing if the electric vehicle is purchased through Ford Motor Credit. (source)

Ford says a customer could get a 36-month lease with 10,500 miles a year for $285 a month and $930 due at signing.

But we should probably get used to these price decreases (not a bad situation for consumers!), as electric vehicles should get more and more affordable over the coming years, and at the same time, their level of performance should increase (especially the driving range). This could be another reason to explain soft sales; would be buyers have done their homework and they know that if they wait a bit, they'll get a better electric car for fewer dollars...

Via Detroit News

http://www.treehugger.com/cars/2013-ford-focus-electric-gets-huge-price-cut.html

Homemade Valentines!

2013-02-08T08:49:00.000-08:00

Copied from Instructables.com

"Nothing shows you care more than a hand-made gift from the heart. Make something special for your sweetheart this Valentine's Day and share your Instructable for a chance to win some sweet prizes from us, including a new iPad or Kindle!

We want to see what you're building, glueing, sewing, soldering, cooking, and crafting for your loved ones. Whatever your passion, we can't wait to see what you make." --Instructables.com

Not up to creating your own project? Just want some ideas? There are TONS of those as well! Check some of these out:

Lace Wallet!

Engagement Ring!

Love Letter in a Walnut!

Die Hard 5: Valentines Day Movie Card

Origami Pop-Up Valentine

Eggless Valentine Cupcakes

Here is the link to the main page for Valentines Day:

http://www.instructables.com/contest/valentines2013/?show=ENTRIES

What's Your Carbon Footprint?

2013-02-07T09:30:00.000-08:00

If you havent visited the City of Redmond's Sustainability website....now is a great time to check it out!

Here is a little bit about their focus:

"Impact Redmond is a cross-departmental effort embarked on by the City of Redmond. The aim is to promote sustainability in Redmond by providing both a platform for community engagement and growth, as well as a virtual space for the City to showcase its own efforts in making Redmond a greener place to live. Impact Redmond was funded by a Federal Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block (EECB) Grant. The site is maintained and the discussion boards are moderated by the City of Redmond."

One of the coolest things on their site (other than featuring PlayNetwork as a green company!) is their carbon calculator. It's easy and quick (really it takes less than 5 mins).

Mine is: 27,935 lbs

On average:

National carbon emissions per capita in the US are: 38,200 lbs (19.1 tons)
Statewide carbon emissions per capita in Washington State are: 24,780 lbs (12.39 tons)
Citywide carbon emissions per capita in Redmond are: 43,940 lbs (21.97 tons)

So what does this number mean?

NASA and the Kyoto Protocol have determined that 1 tree absorbs and average of 2,000 lbs (1 ton) of carbon over it's entire lifetime.

If you take your number and divide it by 2,000 this will tell you the number of trees necessary to offset your annual carbon footprint.

For me....that's planting 14 trees a year.

Check it out and post your annual carbon footprint and/or the number of trees you need to plant in the comments!

http://www.impactredmond.com/calculator.php

Rainwater harvesting: Rain Barrel DIY

2013-02-06T09:00:00.000-08:00

Copied from Instructables

Rain water collection. Nature's most fundamentally important resource for human habitation -- the earth purifies it from all sorts of sources through the evaporation process, transports it all around the globe, then drops it from the heavens for us to drink, water our crops, bathe and swim, among myriad other uses. Modern humans have found lots of ways to squander precious fresh water, but this easy, inexpensive solution captures an potentially lost resource for effective reuse. How much more greencould an Instructable be?

Rain barrels capture rainwater otherwise lost through the downspout to use for watering your garden between rains. But rainwater harvesting has lots of benefits beyond simply watering your garden. It's also good Green Tech. It's a low-cost solution for a number of potential issues:

It reduces stormwater runoff created by the roof of your house
It can reduce property drainage problems
It contributes to a LEED Green Building rating

A rain barrel collection system is simple and easy to maintain, Rainwater is better for gardens and landscape plants than municipal water because it doesn't contain chlorine, it's relatively clean and it's absolutely free. It is also a system that can be expanded easily to create additional rainwater storage, and it can be dismantled and relocated if necessary.

This instructable documents how to construct a simple rain barrel used to collect rainwater runoff from a downspout. It uses readily available parts found at your local hardware or plumbing supply store, and it uses basic tools found in many tool kits. For those tools you don't have, they're easy to source and inexpensive.

Step 1: Parts List and Materials

The rain barrel starts with a food-grade barrel, modified to accept and store rainwater run-off, discharge excess rainwater once the barrel is filled to capacity, and dispense rainwater for watering the garden or for whatever use you find for captured rainwater.

Note: It is not recommended to use captured rainwater for drinking, but the food-grade component ensures that the barrel has not held contents that could damage the water supply or plants, or be absorbed by plants and then ingested when those plants are eaten.

I use it for the following:

Water the garden
Refill the toilet toilet tank after flushing
Various household construction and cleaning uses

The components cost between as little as $25 to more than $60 depending on what you're willing to spend. Including the Lee Valley components below, the total came to about $40 and the barrel was another $20. (The optional quick-connect coupling would add another $10.) You may be able to source less expensive components.

There are various acronyms used with plumbing fittings, and I will list the ones I used here:

NPT -- National Pipe Thread
GHT -- Garden Hose Thread
HB -- Hose Barb

Components for the rain barrel (parts I used and approximate cost in parentheses):

Food-grade watertight barrel (220 liter Greek pickle barrel, $20)
My local hardware store happens to sell used food-grade barrels during the summer.
Screen to filter incoming rainwater (3" kitchen sink strainer, $1)
Overflow fitting (Right-angle 3/4" inner diameter 1-1/2" male NPT to 1" HB fitting, $1.75)
Overflow hose (1-1/4' flexible hose, 6 ft, $3)
Bulkhead fitting (Bulkhead fitting, 1-5/8" outside diameter, NPT female threads to accept a standard 3/4" spigot, $8)
Nipple to connect bulkhead fitting to shut-off valve (3/4" male NPT to 3/4" male GHT, $1)
shut-off valve (Lee Valley Straight shut-off valve, $13)
Hose union gasket (Lee Valley O-ring washer, 10 for $3.25)
Optional: quick-connect fitting (Lee Valley Brass Quick Coupler, $10)

Dry fit all components once collected to make sure all threads match and everything fits as expected.

For the base of the barrel, I used a couple of cinder blocks and a piece of flat blue stone I had in the yard. This makes filling watering cans a lot easier. The higher you're willing to put the barrel, the more water pressure you can achieve.

Step 2: Tools for the Job

I made my first rain barrel using a Dremel tool for cutting the holes, but I found that the results were not very precise. I purchased a 10-piece hole saw from Harbor Freight for about $8 and it made the job significantly easier. The remaining tools I had in my collection already. The only really unusual tool is the Clamp Tite tool I used for fabricating the hose clamp using stainless steel locking wire. You could use a simple screw/band hose clamp instead.

Tools required:

Drill
Hole saw
- 3" cutter
- 2" cutter
- 1-3/8" cutter
Marker
Teflon tape
Silicone sealant
Pipe wrench
Slip-joint pliers

Optional tools:

Clamp Tite clamp tool
Stainless steel locking wire
Wire cutters

Step 3: Component details

The bulkhead fitting is an important component. It provides a fitting that can withstand the pressure of gallons of water trying to exit the barrel through the big hole you're about to cut near the bottom. The fitting also provides a union point for the valve. I used a fitting that fits nicely in a 2" hole, and has a rubber gasket that is compressed against the inside wall of the hole with the poly nut threaded on the fitting from the outside.

The bulkhead fitting uses a left-hand thread for the nut. This allows the bulkhead fitting to stay tight after installation when installing the right-hand thread valve assembly.

The valve assembly consists of a nipple that forms the union between the bulkhead fitting and the valve. The valve used is a 3/4" ball valve. Rather than a pin valve, when fully open, this valve has no obstruction to water flow. It is also allows visible inspection of whether the valve is open or closed simply by observing the position of the handle. It costs a little more, but performance is a big value point for me, so I splurged.

I have also depicted a brass quick-connect coupling in the assembly. I also have one on my hose spigot coming from the house water supply, so I can easily and quickly disconnect the garden hose from the house and attach it to the rain barrel. This coupling is also great for hose ends, to allow for quick changes among nozzles, sprinklers, watering wands, etc. Again, performance is worth the added expense, in my opinion.

Step 4: Cut the valve hole

When locating the hole for the bulkhead fitting, sight it a little up from the bottom of the barrel, so sediment will settle below the level of the valve and drawn water will be clear. This also allows the valve fitting to project more horizontally from the barrel.

Use the 2" cutter.

Mark the center and start the pilot hole of the hole saw on that mark.

Step 5: Cut the top hole

Use the center mark in the top as the mark for the hole saw.

Use the 3" cutter and cut the hole to accept the strainer.

Step 6: Cut the overflow hole

The overflow hole will provide an exit for excess water once the barrel has reached capacity.

Mark the center, use the 1-3/8" cutter and cut the overflow hole.

This hole is a little undersized to provide purchase for the threads of the right-angle fitting.

Step 7: Assemble the valve

Install the bulkhead fitting by removing the nut and friction washer, then passing the fitting with the rubber gasket attached from the inside of the barrel through to the outside. Install the friction washer then thread on the nut. Finger tighten the fitting.

Note: The left-hand threads of the bulkhead fitting will provide counter-rotation when tightening the right-hand threaded valve assembly into the fitting.

Attach the nipple to the valve, applying Teflon tape to the male threads. Use slip-joint pliers to create a tight union.

Apply Teflon tape to the male threads and join the valve assembly to the bulkhead fitting. apply the pipe wrench to the bulkhead fitting washer and tighten the valve assembly. Tighten the valve assembly firmly and rotate the valve handle to the top. Then use the pipe wrench to tighten the bulkhead fitting.

It's easy to over-tighten this connection and deform and possibly weaken or damage the barrel, so wait until the barrel is filling with water to determine how much torque is needed to keep water from leaking through this joint. Adjust the tightness of this fitting to be just tight enough to keep water in when the barrel is full. Hold the valve in the desired position and turn the large nut with the pipe wrench. Remember, left-hand threads tighten the opposite direction! The nut on my fitting actually depicts the direction to rotate (counterclockwise) to tighten.

Step 8: Assemble the overflow

The hose I had was slightly larger than the fitting, so it required a hose clamp. A common screw/band hose clamp is easy to find, but they can be bulky and I have seen them rust over time. In this case, I used a hose clamp made with a Clamp Tite tool. Here is an Instructable of mine that describes the process in detail.

Once the fitting is in place, seal the seam between the fitting and the barrel inside and out with silicone sealant to keep excess water from seeping down the side of the barrel instead of exiting through the hose.

Step 9: Position the barrel, and put it to use!

Locate the rain barrel near a downspout. Raise the barrel up off the ground to permit easier filling of watering cans, and to provide a little more pressure from gravity. I have also tried to choose locations in the yard that are higher than the garden so gravity can feed the watering process instead of having to lug watering cans form barrel to garden.

I used a couple of cinder blocks and a piece of flat bluestone I had in the yard. Whatever you use, make sure it can hold up to a rain barrel filled with water. 200 liters of water weighs 440 pounds, so consider this when establishing a base for the rain barrel.

With the quick-connect coupling on the valve, this allows for easy connection of a short hose for filling watering cans beside the barrel, or a quick switch to the garden hose for reaching out into the yard direct from the barrel.

The fourth image in this step is a previous barrel I have installed beside the front door. It shows the downspout diverted using a flexible downspout to the top of the barrel. The outflow tube continues into which the drain that the downspout used to connect, completing the circuit with the reservoir that is the rain barrel in between. The cable keeps the flexible downspout from falling off the top of the barrel.

Step 10: Wrap-up

Rain barrels are a great way to reclaim an otherwise lost resource. This barrel can be fabricated for around $50, and will last for years. We have had a lot of luck with these barrels. I have made barrels for friends and family. We have found that we can capture and reuse multiple hundreds of gallons of rain water during a typical summer season. That means less runoff into local streams and rivers, less water around the foundation, lower water bills, and the right type of water for the right purpose. While rain water is not suitable for drinking, there's no reason to use treated municipal water on flowers and plants if rain water is readily at hand. Rain water is fine for toilet tanks and other gray water uses.

One note for those who live in cold winter climates: Remove the barrel from the downspout when chance of freezing exists. Water expands 9-10% when it changes to ice, so it will ruin a perfectly good rain barrel if it gets a chance. Be sure to empty the barrel and put it away, out of the sun, during freezing seasons.

Source: http://www.instructables.com/id/Rainwater-harvesting-Rain-Barrel-DIY/#intro

Fun Redmond Events!! (February Parks & Rec Calendar)

2013-02-05T08:32:00.000-08:00

There are lots of fun things coming up this month in Redmond--check them out!!!

New Classes Added!

Classic Movie Nights
(7-9pm)

February 1 - Pat and Mike

A 1952 comedy starring Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy.

March 8 - The Maltese Falcon

A 1941 film noir based on the novel by Dashiell Hammett, starring Humphrey Bogart and Mary Astor.

Fred Meitzer Theater

Located in the Redmond Senior Center
8703 160th Avenue NE
Redmond WA 98052

Tickets: $5
Children age 12 and older welcome
12 to 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Call 425-556-2314 to purchase tickets

More information:
www.redmond.gov/50plus

Save the Date: Sat Mar 9th
Girls Unlimited;
Expanding Your Tomorrow

This year’s focus is on STEM careers (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics). Women speakers from around our area will be sharing their stories about how they chose their path. Don’t miss out on this great event.

Cost is $10

More information:
RYPAC@redmond.gov

Third Sunday Swing

February 17, 2013
7-10pm

Presented by The RSC & Tim J Hickey Featuring live music by Tim Hickey & Nickel Pot Joe
Swing Septet with special guest Danny Quintero

Doors open at 6pm;
Admission includes a free Swing Dance Lesson at 6:30pm

Fred Meitzer Theater
Featuring a 2000 square foot suspended hardwood dance floor
Located in the Redmond Senior Center
8703 160th Avenue NE
Redmond WA 98052

Tickets Advance: Two for $20, singles $12
(Call before 4:30pm Friday, February 15)
Tickets at the door: Everyone - $15
Call 425-556-2314 to purchase tickets

More information
www.redmond.gov/SwingDance

Save the Date: Sat Mar 30th

Eggstravaganza

More information:
www.redmond.gov/eggs

Girls on the Run Volunteer Coaches Wanted

We are looking for 4-6 coaches for the Spring Season. Practices are TU/TH 3-5pm at the Community Center and you don’t have to be a runner to be a coach! Empower 3rd-5th grade girls to honor their voices, recognize their gifts, and activate their power to make healthy choices for years to come! As a coach, you'll experience the program first-hand, feel a sense of accomplishment that you have made a difference in the lives of the girls, and have a ton of fun with your team of coaches and incredible girls!

More information:
Sarah Sandquist
smsandquist@redmond.gov

Scrambled Egg 5K

March 30, 8:30am
City Hall Campus

It’s a 5k with an egg hunt built in! Join us at Eggstravaganza for our new race! Participants will find different colored eggs scattered all over the course and each color will either help or hurt your time. We do not reveal what each color means until after the race! If you think you are fast, run straight through without picking up any eggs. Otherwise, try your luck at getting the best time by collecting up to 10 eggs! We will award prizes for the overall fastest male and female times in each age group! $25 early registration fee includes chip timing and tech fabric shirt.

Register today at:
runsignup.com/scrambledegg5k

Early bird deadline is 2/28!

Plant of the Month: Cornus Sericea

(C. stolonifera)

Red Twig Dogwood, Red Osier Dogwood

Where: Perrigo Park, Sunset Gardens Park, Cascade View Park

This fast-growing, native shrub stands out in winter with its bright red stem color. It’s branches, flowers, and berries provide food and habitat for birds, butterflies, and small mammals throughout the year. Annually removing about 1/3 of the oldest stems helps stimulate the growth of new, younger stems which have the best color.

More Information:
greatplantpicks.org/plantlists/view/423

City of Redmond Parks and Recreation

16600 NE 80th St

Redmond WA

425-556-2300

redmond.gov/ParksRecreation

City's Page

City's Twitter Page

Subscribe to our news

www.redmond.gov/ParksRecreation

Questions? Contact Us

STAY CONNECTED:

Redmond Company Lauches Website to Help Families Reconnect with Nature

2013-02-04T09:26:00.000-08:00

Thank you Juan Rosales for sharing this!!

Tohula.com, a website devoted to reconnecting families with Nature, has launched in the Seattle area. The website provides hand-picked weekly recommendations for outdoor adventures and enables families to plan adventures on a private family adventure page while earning rewards for participating in ongoing quests. The quests and rewards are sponsored by eco-friendly companies selected using strict guidelines. The recommendations types vary and range from hikes in local parks to scavenger hunts or geocaching.

Suggestions for recommendations are submitted by users and the Tohula staff. Each recommendation on Tohula.com goes through a thorough review process. The Tohula team scouts each location, looking at trail conditions, accessibility, and family friendliness. If a location makes the cut, it is highlighted on Tohula.com with pictures, tips, checklist, and links to relevants resources. If a location does not make the cut, it is saved for later review.

Tohula aims at making it easier for families to reclaim Nature time. Even in the Seattle area with all its natural beauty, families find it increasingly more difficult to find Nature time due to packed schedules and plenty of opportunities for screen time. The Tohula team believes Nature time is critical to our society, especially children. It has launched Tohula.com to inspire families and help them get out in Nature. Helping families in Seattle is just the first step, the team is looking at expanding South to the Portland and the Bay Area.

“How many times did you discover years after moving to a new place that an amazing park was minutes away from your home? With Tohula we want to help your family experience the amazing natural resources that surround you right now.” said co-founder, Sebastien Fouillade, in a news release.

About Tohula

Tohula was founded in 2012 by Matt Lefort and Sebastien Fouillade. The company is the result of the merger of Weekenture and GeoBongo, two different companies started with one goal in mind: helping families reconnect with Nature. More information is available at http://tohula.com.

Source: http://redmond.patch.com/articles/website-launched-in-redmond-to-help-families-reconnect-with-nature

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

2013-02-01T10:02:00.000-08:00

It's just as important to take care of the planet as it is to take care of ourselves and each other.....and in the spirit of that....ENJOY!

Celebrate Success this weekend!
"Recognize contributions that promote customer happiness and company success."
And remember......coworkers are customers too!

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Paperless Mail? OH YES PLEASE!!!

2013-01-31T09:58:00.000-08:00

Thank you Leanne LaVere for sharing this!!!

Leanne emailed me this morning with this amazing new twist in your daily delivered mail. A new company called Outbox has revamped mail as we know it. They have put together a system to scan your mail and send it straight to your smartphone/iphone/ipad/computer!

You can easily unsubscribe from junk mail, read those important letters from Grandma and hide from your credit card bill. Er, I mean see and pay your credit card bill! Yes, that's what I meant.

And when you're done with your documents....they shred them for you, but you keep the digital files forever! NO MORE PAPER! YAY!!!! Need one of those pieces of mail in it's physical form? They'll deliver it for you.

Yes but is it secure? ABSOLUTELY! Going on vacation? No need to worry about mail sitting in your mailbox waiting for theives.....AND:

$1 Million Identity Theft Protection
All items are encrypted
All items are securely shredded and RECYCLED

Okay what's the catch? The catch is it's $4.99 a month. It's a VERY small catch for all that it saves!

Save Time!

Save Stress!

Save Money!

Save the Landfill!

Check out their quick informational video showing a little more how the whole thing works.

www.OutboxMail.com

10 Simple Ways to Reduce Air Pollution--and SAVE YOU MONEY!

2013-01-30T11:33:00.000-08:00

Back to the hippy dippy "we're all connected" idea and we're all sharing air......Highlighted yesterday was the current air quality crisis in Beijing. It's easy to do the "us versus them" argument, but the truth really is we're all in this together. So are we stuck with this polluted, dangerous air? Sort of. Nothing ever really disappears (another hippy dippy thing "green" people always say), but there are many ways to not add to it.

Part of what is happening in Beijing is they've have had minimal regulations on industry and more importantly are packing in millions of people to a small space.

As of 2011, they had 20,180,000 people living in the city alone. 20 MILLION. For quick comparison, there are only 620,778 people living in Seattle. If you took all the people that live in Seattle, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York City, Nashville and Columbus it is still only a little over 16 million.

That many people in such a small space are a huge impact on the environment as a whole...it just happens to be visible in the air right now and all over the news.

SO.....WHAT TO DO?

Beijing has just elected a new mayor and they are looking to put together a "Clean Air Act" to stop adding to the problem and to try to clean the bad air out. The polluted air will do a few things over time: fall into the soil, get eaten up by trees (they are natural filters), catch a wind or ocean current and visit other lands, and some will continue to just hang out in Beijing for awhile.

The very best things you can do, right now are to educate yourself and reduce your contribution. Know that there isn't someone with a magic vacuum hanging out in the hole in the ozone layer sucking up this bad air. It's here to stay.

Here are 10 simple ways you can reduce air pollution for yourself and all the rest of us:

Limit Use of Lawn Equipment: Electric mowers or manual push mowers pollute less and SAVE YOU MONEY! Quick kudos: Steve Zimmerman has been using a push mower for at least the past 10 years!!!!
Avoid Pesticides/Fertilizers: Many fertilizers are a source of nitrous oxide (a greenhouse gas). Check out pesticide free gardening and use compost instead of fertilizer!
Compost your yard waste instead of burning it; or chip it and use it for mulch.
Switch to Natural Gas to heat your home. Even the cleanest stoves/fireplaces still emit smoke.
Be energy efficient: Keep your home well-maintained with weather-stripping, storm windows and insulation. Lowering your thermostat will also help. For every 2 degrees you drop it in the winter or raise it in the summer, (SAVING YOU MONEY!)---saves about 2% on your heating bill.
Plant Trees! Trees absorb and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and filter out air pollution.
Maintain Your Car: A well maintained vehicle contributes less pollution and uses less fuel (SAVING YOU MONEY!).
Drive Less: Have you signed up for rTrip yet? Do it here: www.gortrip.com
No More Idling: If you're stopped for more than 30 seconds, except in traffic, turn off your engine. Idling a vehicle for a total of 10 minutes a day uses about 22 gallons of gas a year (and pollutes the air).
Buy the Car You Need: If you only need a small car, buy a small car versus buying a large SUV. The point is to buy the car that fits (not over-fits) your needs. Smaller cars use less gas and contribute less pollution which again.....SAVES YOU MONEY!

These lovely tips brought to you by the Washington State Department of Ecology!

Beijing Air Crisis--It IS Your Air Too! (a quick lesson in wind currents)

2013-01-29T13:10:00.003-08:00

Many of you may have seen the latest reports out of China about the horrific air quality they are experiencing. But that's all the way in China and well it sucks to be them right? It's not coming here so we don't need to worry about it, right? I wish.

This photo taken on January 14, 2013 shows Wangjing community under heavy smog in Beijing. Shares in a Chinese face mask manufacturer soared on January 15 as investors looked for opportunities to cash in on the severe air pollution that has blanketed large swathes of China. (STR/AFP/Getty Images)

You'll hear many environmentalists talk about how we're all connected....everything to everyone. And it's kind of hippy dippy feel good stuff....but it's also true. One of the things PlayGreen prides itself on is getting the word out about WHY this stuff is all so important. That, and teaching you that you don't have to be a rocket scientist to understand it, it DOESN'T have to be expensive and it SHOULD be easy.

So back to Beijing and their air problem. How is their air our air?

Exactly the same way their products became our products/radioactive debris after the Fukushima nuclear mess following the tsunami. It travels across the planet via ocean currents that are controlled by THE WIND!

Here's a quick 2 minute video from Seattle's own, Bill Nye the Science Guy explaining how wind currents work:

And here is a quick info graphic of the global wind currents. As you can see wind currents travel direct from Asia to the US West Coast (a.k.a. All of us).

So now what? Check back tomorrow for 10 simple ways you can reduce air pollution for you, your company, community, country and the world!

Want Some Green? We Mean MONEY!!?!?!

2013-01-28T11:01:00.006-08:00

Hello Redmond Employees!!!

Is commuting to work costing you a fortune in gas, car maintenance and oil changes? Are you tired of being stuck in traffic day after day? Well, we have many possible solutions to your traffic woes, and you might even have an opportunity to commute for free!

We know many of you are new to PlayNetwork and/or unfamiliar with rTrip and how it works. We've heard everything from "oh well I don't live in Redmond, so it's not for me" to "I only carpool with my spouse a few times a week, so it's not for me." There are lots of reasons "it's not for me" keeps coming up.

But the truth is....if you live or work in Redmond IT IS FOR YOU! That is the only requirement. Simple. Easy. Basic. Translation: All Redmond employees are eligible!

How do you sign up you ask? Just visit their website www.GorTrip.com! It's easy, private (they do not sell your information), takes just a few minutes and FREE!

So what happens after you sign up? SO MUCH GOOD STUFF!

Automatically entered into monthly drawings from rTrip
Automatically entered into ANY drawings PlayGreen decides to do around rTrip
After logging your first 50 commutes ("green" or not/consecutive or not) rTrip automatically sends you a $50 gift card to Amazon
Free bus passes for first time bus riders
Up to $50 off Vanpooling each month for 6 months

This program has been in place here at PlayNetwork since October 1, 2009, and as of right now PlayNetwork employees have:

Documented 6,577 total commutes!
Reduced 107,000 lbs of CO2 from the air!
Saved 4,953 gallons of gas!
Eliminated 3,405 trips!
Saved $23,900 dollars!

TAKE THE CHALLENGE!!!!

With all these great incentives we TRIPLE DOG DARE you to find a greener way of commuting to work! Whether it be walking, biking, carpooling, bussing, or vanpooling! And as stated, after 50 days, you will receive a $50 gift card to Amazon.com!

Our very first employee (still here) to sign up was Kym Burgmeier and the last person to sign up was Grady Tyree! Grady was employee #39! We'll be checking the stats on this monthly.....employee #50 will win a prize from PlayGreen!

HOW QUICK WILL WE GET THERE???

YOU DECIDE!

Questions? Comments? Reach out to PlayGreen@PlayNetwork.com

Green Drinks--EVERYWHERE!

2013-01-24T14:39:00.004-08:00

Have you guys heard of Green Drinks yet? It's an excellent group of Eco-conscious people that get together once a month in 557 cities worldwide! They chat about everything from green initiatives to new sales deals to anything and everything! Here's a little more information from their main website:

Every month people who work in the environmental field meet up at informal sessions known as Green Drinks.

We have a lively mixture of people from NGOs, academia, government and business. Come along and you'll be made welcome. Just say, "are you green?" and we will look after you and introduce you to whoever is there. It's a great way of catching up with people you know and also for making new contacts. Everyone invites someone else along, so there’s always a different crowd, making Green Drinks an organic, self-organizing network.

These events are very simple and unstructured, but many people have found employment, made friends, developed new ideas, done deals and had moments of serendipity. It's a force for the good and we'd like to help it spread to other cities. Contact your local node to get the latest info about coming along.

If there is no Green Drinks near you, you might want to set up a Green Drinks in your City.

Here are some quick links to the Green Drinks in PlayNetwork cities :)

Atlanta, GA
Chicago, IL

Columbus, OH

Fort Worth, TX
Los Angeles, CA

Madison, WI
Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN

Nashville, TN
Newark, NJ
Seattle, WA

If you're local city is missing check here for more cities.

Electronics Recycling Pick-Up Coming!

2013-01-23T12:47:00.000-08:00

Our electronics recycling company (FriendlyEarth) is coming to do a pick up all our recyclable electronics!

If you have any electronics at your desk (or at home) that need to be safely tossed, please bring them in before 2/22. The electronic recycling cubes are in bldg. D across from Leanne’s desk or in bldg. A next to Brooke’s desk. The list of what you may bring is listed to the left of this post, it's also listed below.

We would love any help that can be provided, so if there are volunteers that can take ten minutes to help pack up a car and transfer everything from Building A to Building D that would be appreciated! Email PlayGreen@PlayNetwork.com to let us know!

This is what you may bring in:

SMALL APPLIANCES

Blenders, Microwaves, Etc...

Hair dryers use about 402 watts of power...switch that to "high" and it goes to 1440 watts! By comparison, your computer uses about 92 watts of power.

LARGE APPLIANCES

Washers, Dryers, Refrigerators, AC Units.

NOTE: if you have any of these things you MUST prearrange with Leanne first.

Energy Star calculated that cooking or re-heating small portions of food in the microwave saves as much as 80% of the energy needed for an oven. However, the term "microwave safe" is not regulated by the government, so it has no verifiable meaning.

METALS

All forms including ferrous and non-ferrous

The most common ferrous metal alloy is steel, which can be found in cars, household appliances, construction beams and food cans

GENERAL ELECTRONICS

Computers, Cell phones, TV’s, Speakers, Video Players (DVD, VHS, etc)

From the circuit board to the plastic, most materials in DVD players can be recycled back into that component.

BATTERIES

Non-Alkaline Single Charge, Multi-Charge (Lithium & Metal Hydride), Lead Batteries. Unfortunately Friendly Earth cannot take alkaline batteries. BUT--Whole Foods does (YAY WHOLE FOODS)! If you have any alkaline batteries, please feel free to continue putting them in the electronics recycling bins and we'll get them recycled.

As a general rule "most" batteries are alkaline batteries. If they are non-alkaline they typically will say so on the package they came in and on the battery itself. Either way, put them in the bin and we'll sort them out!

At a minimum, 100 single-use batteries are saved by substituting with rechargeable batteries.

MACHINERY

Lawn and farm equipment.

NOTE: if you have any of these things you MUST prearrange with Leanne first.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a traditional gas powered lawn mower produces as much air pollution as 43 new cars each being driven 12,000 miles.

ELECTRONIC ACCESSORIES

Power Cords, Cables, CD’s, DVD’s, Hard Disks, Chargers, etc

American consumers buy about a billion CD's every year, most which eventually end up in landfills or incinerators. Since CDs are a mix of polycarbonate, plastic and aluminum, they don’t easily break down and are not easily recycled. They are also not biodegradable, so they won’t break down in landfills. And when incinerated they release toxic fumes into the air.

GARMENTS

Clothes, Uniforms, Shoes, etc

Goodwill and The Salvation Army process an average of five tons of outcast clothing every single day of the year!

If you've added to the electronics recycling, let us know! There may be a surprise in it for you!

Go Payroll Paperless! Save Yourself Time & Space!

2013-01-21T13:19:00.001-08:00

You all should've received the below email from Rebecca Smith in Payroll, but in case you didn't here is the information again.

We are pleased to share ADP iPay Statements, a benefit for all associates. Through ADP, our payroll provider, we are able to offer you access to your earnings statements and W-2 forms 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. In addition, you can make changes to your W-4. Simply type in your changes, print the form, sign it and forward the completed form to your Payroll Department for processing.

You will be prompted to complete a registration process during which you must enter contact and security information, answer a few security questions and create a password. Your password must be at least eight characters long and must contain at least one letter and either one number or one special character. Also, your password is case sensitive. You will be assigned a system generated User ID. The security questions will be used to verify your identity if you ever forget your user ID or password.

When registering, refer to the Self Service Registration Quick Reference Guide for more information.

(This is stored on PlayShare as is the login information. We'd list it here but this is a public blog and it's not secure. From the PlayShare home page, go to: GPC/PlayGreen and scroll down to the bottom. The doc's are listed there. If you don't know how to get to PlayShare....open your browser and type in "PlayShare" and it will come up and ask for your login information.)

Upon completing the registration process, you may access your pay statements at https://ipay.adp.com.

Going Paperless is a second step. You will see the link on your home page once you have signed in.

We appreciate the opportunity to provide you with this GREEN way of viewing your pay information.

Thank you Rebecca for sending this out! Much appreciated :)

Starbucks' Reusable Plastic Cups Are A Hit, Data Shows

2013-01-17T12:38:00.001-08:00

source: The Huffington Post

Those $1 reusable plastic cups that Starbucks rolled out early this month are apparently a hit.

A survey conducted by research firm YouGov Omnibus shows that more than a quarter of Americans have already bought or plan to buy one of the coffee tumblers, which aim to lower rates of paper cup waste. The survey, which was not commissioned by Starbucks, also indicated that 7 out of 10 respondents believed the cups were a good idea.

Still, talk is cheap -- only 2 percent of those respondents had actually purchased a cup. And Starbucks certainly didn't convince everyone the program was a good one -- about 57 percent of respondents said they probably or definitely won't be purchasing a cup, and 66 percent hadn't even heard of the offer at all. Thirteen percent wondered if the green initiative was nothing more than a publicity stunt.

It's worth noting that the survey only includes responses from 1,000 people, which isn't exactly a huge sample.

Like them or not, you'll likely be seeing more of them soon. The cups, which were tested in 600 stores in the Pacific Northwest in recent months, will soon be rolled out nationwide and in Canada.

Where do you stand on the subject? You can answer the same question in the unofficial survey below.

Quick Poll

How likely are you to buy one of Starbucks' reusable plastic cups?

WAY TO GO WASHINGTON!!!!

2012-12-19T10:49:00.003-08:00

A first: State recycles more than it throws away

Posted by Jack Broom, submitted by Kris Kirwan!

Congratulations, Washington residents. For the first time ever, you are recycling more stuff than you are throwing away.

That’s the word today from Department of Ecology Director Ted Sturdevant, reporting that in 2011, state residents recycled 50.7 percent of their solid waste. It’s the first time a yearly result has topped the 50 percent goal set in a 1989 state law.

On a per-person basis, state residents recycled an average of 3.64 pounds of material each day, while throwing away 3.54 pounds of waste.

The total amount of waste tossed out by households and businesses has been dropping since the start of the recession, influenced by a decline in demolition and construction. And during that time, the percentage of solid waste diverted to other uses, including recycling, energy recovery and reuse, has risen.

Sturdevant said the 2011 recycling effort helped the state avoid emitting 3.2 million tons of greenhouse gasses, the equivalent of keeping 1.9 million cars off the road.

Source: http://blogs.seattletimes.com/today/2012/12/a-first-state-recycles-more-than-it-throws-away/