Ask Kelly about Kirkland's Green Programs

On a sunny morning at Caffe Rococo last week,  I met with Kirkland's own "Ask Kelly" about Kirkland's Green Programs.   Kelly Ferron, is the Recycling Programs Coordinator for the City of Kirkland Public Works Department.  

The main programs she would like to let more people know about are:

• Kirkland Green Buisness
• Kirkland Recycling Options
• Upcoming Sustainable Education Series

The Kirkland Green Business Program recognizes Kirkland businesses for their green practices.

Currently, Kirkland has 93 businesses in this program and are in a vamping stage to include even more.  The Main Logo has a green outer circle that reads "Kirkland Green Business."  Within the circle is a stylized picture of the marina.  There are 7 other categories that the business can earn including: Green Building, Waste Reduction and Recycling, Water Conservation, Energy Efficiency, Transportation, Pollution Prevention and Eastside Green Business Challenge participant.

Participating businesses, like Cafe Veloce for instance, are mentioned on the website and in The Fall Business Newsletter.  As you walk around town this summer, look for these businesses.  They are likely to have window clings in their front windows showing they are a Kirkland Green Business and more circles for areas they are green.

Other businesses who wish to join this program do not need to worry if they are not all the way green yet.  Ferron said, "City of Kirkland will help you become green."  This includes site visits, providing convenient recycling bins and signage.

Recycling Options can be found on the Kirkland Recycling and Solid Waste website here, including where to Recycle Household Batteries (7 locations) and CFL bulbs.  Coming this Fall is option to recycle used cooking oil at the North Kirkland Community Center.  The used oil is then transported to Seattle to become biodiesel for local fleets.

Also coming this Fall is the 4-part Sustainable Education Series.   Ferron said, "The series will focus on homelife and creating a sustainable life style."  The 4 topics will be waste reduction, energy efficiency, water conservation including rain barrel construction and local food/ cedar grove compost.

Check back with them as this education series program unfolds.  This can be done on the Kirkland Enviro Facebook page and Kirkland Enviro on Twitter.  Other great sustainable living tips are shared on these sites too.   Also, look for the quarterly newsletter with the next one coming out this Fall and/ or contact the Recycling Hotline: recycling@kirkland.wa.gov or 425-587-3812.

Ferron is also featured as Eastside's Green Champion of the week with details on EcoEastside Facebook page.  Next time you see the "Ask Kelly" in the quaterly newsletter you know the green advice is coming from a sustainable living source.  Feel free to share some on alternate transportion commutes?  -Any others commuting to or from Seattle?