From the King County Newsroom:
King County’s Best Work Places for Waste Prevention and Recycling 2016 Award
“Commitment to innovation, cutting waste and saving resources are common traits among a diverse group of 112 businesses – along with their inclusion to the King County Solid Waste Division’s 10th-annual “Best Workplaces for Waste Prevention and Recycling” list.
“King County businesses are doing a lot to lessen the impacts of climate change by reducing waste,” said King County Solid Waste Division Program Manager Karen May. “We want to ensure businesses get the recognition they deserve for their efforts and inspire others to take action too.”
Companies that have made the list five years in a row are recognized with an Honor Roll designation. This year, 24 businesses joined the “Best Workplaces” list for the first time, and 54 businesses received the Honor Roll designation.
The organizations on the 2016 Best Workplaces for recycling list implemented innovative ways to reduce waste and increase recycling.
Last year, businesses and institutions in King County sent more than 276,000 tons of recyclable materials to the landfill.
All businesses operating in King County outside of 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 learn more, visit www.kingcounty.gov/recyclemore.
To learn more about the program, contact Karen May at 206-477-528 or karen.may@kingcounty.gov.”
Twelve Baskets Catering, based out of Kirkland, remains on the list of Best Workplaces for Waste Prevention and Recycling Honor Roll for the sixth consecutive year. As one of the first earth-friendly restaurants and catering services in Puget Sound, they are proud to say that they have been recycling since 1978, even before curbside collection was available. Twelve Baskets Catering infuses reuse, reduction, and recycling throughout their business model. Food scraps go into compost totes for bi-weekly pickup, and the business also donates safe leftover food to the Union Gospel Mission every week.
The business’ waste prevention and recycling practices have definitely led to savings and reduced costs. They have been printing on paper less and less each year, and in addition to saving money on paper and printer ink, they have also been able to get payments more quickly from clients because they use a digital online signature company. It is easier for clients to digitally sign the contracts and everyone now has access to the contract digitally. They have also saved money by switching to longer lasting light bulbs.
Advice to others: “In the food industry there can be the potential for a lot of waste. Nowadays there are so many options for biodegradable and even edible food service products, but they can be even cheaper than their non-compostable counterparts! We have found our clients to be not only receptive to these items, but also pleased to be a part of the green scene at their events. We also provide appropriate compost or recycle bins at our events for the guests to use. We can be creative with our menu and service options and help our clients choose packages and service ware that is good for the Earth.”
