King County Executive Dow Constantine today recognized 92 local companies and organizations — including 15 from Redmond — for reducing waste and increasing recycling, naming them as the county’s “Best Workplaces for Waste Prevention and Recycling for 2012.”
“From recycling Styrofoam and cell phones to creating new programs for composting, the innovation these organizations have shown proves that sound environmental practices can go hand-in-hand with a successful business,” Constantine said.
The sixth-annual list spans a wide array of businesses in King County, including hospitality, medical services, professional services, retail, finance, government, arts and entertainment and others. The list includes an honor roll for companies that have made the list at least five years in a row.
Redmond honorees are: City of Redmond, Eastside Community Aid Thrift Shop, Emerald Heights Retirement Community, FCS Group, Golder Associates Inc., Hot off the Press, Keeney’s Office Supply, Lake Washington School District, Microsoft Corp., Noetix Corp., PS Business Parks, Sammamish Montessori School, Thinkspace, Together Center and VMC Consulting.
“Many times, what businesses consider waste is something other entities can use and actually purchase,” said Andrew Koeppen, managing director at Hot puff the Press, a family owned printer and first-time Best Workplace for Waste Prevention and Recycling. “Finding out where our waste can be used helps our society become a community.”
Hot off the Press holds green print design seminars to teach others how to design printed documents and business materials in an environmentally conscious way. They donate the paper they don’t use to local schools and nonprofits.
Last year, businesses in King County sent more than 180,000 tons of recyclable materials to the landfill. King County’s Solid Waste Division compiles the Best Workplaces for Waste Prevention and Recycling list annually to recognize the top recyclers and waste reducers, and help motivate others in the local business community.
All businesses operating in King County outside the City of Seattle are eligible for the list. To secure their spot, businesses are required to meet five basic criteria, as well as 10 additional waste reduction and recycling criteria, such as using reusable or compostable dish ware in kitchens, collecting batteries for recycling or sending electronic invoices.
To see the complete list of 2012 Best Workplaces for Waste Prevention and Recycling and to learn more about what these businesses are doing to improve recycling programs, visit www.kingcounty.gov/recyclemore, and click on the link.
To learn more about the program, contact Karen May at (206) 296-4353, or karen.may@kingcounty.gov.
