11 Redmond businesses named to Best Workplaces for Recycling and Waste Reduction
Published 4:11 pm Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Eleven Redmond businesses have been named to the King County Solid Waste Division’s list of Best Workplaces for Recycling and Waste Reduction.
The 11 businesses are City of Redmond, Clarisonic, FCS Group, Golder Associates, Inc., Honeywell Aerospace, Hot off the Press, Keeney’s Office Supply, Lake Washington School District, Magnitude Software (formerly Noetix Corporation), Microsoft Corp. and Sammamish Montessori School.
These businesses, which range in size, are among 112 county wide to receive the honor.
Karen May, project manager for King County’s Solid Waste Division, said this is the highest number of businesses (29 of which are new this year) to make the list since the Best Workplaces program began in 2007.
She said the program was started to provide recognition to businesses who are doing good things in waste prevention. And with 11 businesses, Redmond is among the top cities on the list. Other top cities include Bellevue with 22 businesses and Kirkland with 13 businesses.
“These companies deserve special recognition for demonstrating their ingenuity and commitment in preventing waste,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “From composting in lunchrooms to reusing packing materials, they’re showing that sustainability can be simple and rewarding.”
SAVING EVERYONE MONEY
Andrew Koeppen, owner and managing director of Hot off the Press, said his printing company first applied for the Best Workplaces program in 2012 and they have made the list every year since then.
One of the things Hot off the Press does to reduce waste is donating their printing off cuts to schools and nonprofits that could use the paper. Koeppen said they also work with other companies that provide them with rolls of damaged rolls of paper. He said this paper can no longer be printed on, so they repurpose it and donate it to the schools and nonprofits, as well, because it can still be used in other ways besides printing — “giving it a new purpose.”
Koeppen said they have been doing this since Hot off the Press opened its doors in 2007.
“I’m a fairly frugal person,” he said, adding that this is why they have been repurposing the paper off cuts.
In addition, Koeppen said Hot off the Press also offers their clients green print design options.
For example, if someone needs a flier printed with a full bleed — in which the color goes right to the edge of the paper — a typical way of approaching the job is to print things on larger paper and then trim the paper. To help save on waste, Koeppen said one thing they can do is to print the fliers their exact size but then use colored sheets of paper instead.
“It really does reduce printing costs,” he said, adding that when someone is printing hundreds or thousands of copies, the money and waste adds up. “It actually saves our clients money, as well.”
BEING PART OF A COMMUNITY
Koeppen said the Best Workplaces program is a real testament to small businesses as they can adapt better than larger businesses — which may have to deal with getting corporate approval to change policies or procedures.
At FCS Group in Redmond, a commercial enterprise that provides financial and management consulting services, there are a few things they have done to reduce waste.
Office assistant Kathy Lyon said their office has always recycled, but it wasn’t until they learned about the Best Workplaces program that they began looking into more practices to put into place. Those practices include a compost bin in the office kitchen, separate bins for glass, paper and landfill waste; there is also a recycling bin stationed at each person’s desk. In addition, she said they recycle office equipment such as computers and printers. The office printer also has a tray with paper that has already been printed on one side, but can still be used on the other side.
Lyon said they have also made sure that their office cleaners are aware of their practices such as separating their recyclables. FCS has even had Waste Management come into their office to give a presentation and educate workers on the topic.
“That was very helpful to do something like that,” Lyon said, “to get everyone on the same page.”
Lyon said FCS has been part of the Best Workplaces list for about five years and that it is incredibly important for businesses to be aware and to do what they can to reduce waste.
“It’s part of being part of a community to not have as much waste,” she said.
BUSINESS PRACTICES
May said specific practices businesses put into place vary, but there are a few common threads. For example, she said, many companies will perform an audit to see how much waste they produce in the first place and then look at ways to reduce this.
“That is one of the most common things we’ve seen people do,” May said.
In addition, she said they have seen many businesses start composting programs, like FCS has, in their kitchens or cafeterias. Businesses also often appoint advocates within their companies to help boost efforts and motivate others to participate.
All businesses operating in King County outside the City of Seattle are eligible for the list. To qualify, businesses must meet five basic criteria, as well as 10 additional waste reduction and recycling criteria. To see the complete list, visit www.kingcounty.gov/recyclemore, and click on the link.
May said businesses that make the list will get their business printed in the Puget Sound Business Journal as part of an ad the county creates to recognize them. In addition, she said businesses are posted to the county website, receive a certificate and window decal to advertise being on the list.
To learn more about the program, contact May at (206) 477-5281, or karen.may@kingcounty.gov.
