Exciting news: Our friends at the Spokane River Forum have a new project aimed at certifying small businesses reducing hazardous waste and protecting the environment called EnviroStars. The official launch will take place during Pollution Prevention Week, September 20th through the 26th. Tonilee Hanson says nine businesses in Spokane have already received the EnviroStars with many more in various stages of preparation for certification.  You can learn more about the project during the Spokane Interstate Fair at the Go Green Exhibit, beginning September 10th.



Check it out: http://envirostars.org/

ENVIROSTARS SPOKANE PROGRAM LAUNCHES DURING
POLLUTION PREVENTION WEEK, SEPT. 20-26, 2010

      SPOKANE--The successful EnvioStars program in the Puget Sound area is now available to Spokane County businesses.  EnviroStars is a voluntary program that certifies small businesses that have practices and policies in place that reduce hazardous waste and protect the environment.  

      A unique partnership between government agencies and non-profits started in May 2010 to bring EnviroStars to Spokane County.  Businesses certified by EnviroStars receive public recognition and advertising.  

      In support of National Pollution Prevention Week, Sept. 20-26, EnviroStars is highlighting the first round of EnviroStars certified businesses.  The following certified businesses make pollution prevention happen every day, by reducing their hazardous wastes as well as reducing emissions into the air, aquifer, lakes and creeks and runoff from city streets. ):

AutoCraft - 16111 E. Sprague Ave, Spokane Valley, WA 99037
Ed’s Premier Auto Body – 2707 E. Francis, Spokane, WA 99208
Flash's Auto Body & Paint - 2417 N. Astor, Spokane, WA 99207
K&M Unibody Works - 2011 N. Park Rd, Spokane Valley, WA 99212
Maaco Spokane Valley - 16011 E. Sprague Ave Spokane Valley, WA 99037
Martin Motors – 3105 N. Nevada St. Spokane, WA 99207
Preedy’s Tire & Automotive - 703 E. Pacific Ave. Spokane, WA 99202
Selkirk Landscaping – 1910 E. Riverside, Spokane, WA 99202
Washington Auto Collision - 16811 E. Sprague, Ave, Spokane Valley, WA 99037 


“Consumers want the choice of shopping at businesses that help keep our community clean,” states Tonilee Hanson, EnviroStars coordinator. “When you see the EnviroStars logo, you know that the business has been certified for doing its part to keep the river, aquifer, air and land clean.”  

Qualifying businesses demonstrate their commitment to protect the environment and in turn may benefit by:

Attracting customers by being green

Creating a safer, healthier work environment

Reducing regulatory burden

Increasing efficiency, decrease costs

Strengthening supplier and agency relationships

Gaining access to EnviroStars.org business assistance resources

Listings in EnviroStars advertising and promotion 

For general information visit www.envirostars.org.  For local information or to apply for certification call (509) 847-4337.

The EnviroStars program started in King County in 1995 and now more than 700 businesses are participating in western Washington.  In 2010, a partnership was formed to bring EnviroStars to Spokane County.  The EnviroStars Steering Committee in Spokane County includes city of Spokane Solid Waste, Spokane Aquifer Joint Board, Spokane County Utilities Water Resources, Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency, Spokane Regional Health District, Spokane Regional Solid Waste System, Spokane River Forum and Washington State Department of Ecology.

Make every week pollution prevention week:

Reduce Waste – Reduce, reuse and recycle.  Use both sides of paper.  Use recycled materials.  Choose reusable products, such as water bottles and grocery bags.

Conserve Energy – Turn off the lights when room isn’t in use, or install motion detectors to activate lights.  Turn the heat down to 68O F in winter and air conditioning up to 78O F during summer.  Weatherize.  Replace incandescent lights to compact fluorescent lights.  Turn off or unplug electronic equipment when not in use.  Bike, bus, walk or share a ride to work.  Combine errands into efficient trips.  Avoid unnecessary vehicle idling.

Reduce Toxics – Wash vehicles at a car wash. Store products and waste out of the weather, away from drains and on a leak proof surface.  Keep wastewater out of storm drains.  Buy “green” products with the least toxic ingredients. Sweep (don’t water down) outdoor areas. Don’t dump liquid chemicals into sinks or the garbage.  Replace or add coatings to galvanized roofs.  Galvanized metal contains zinc, which is very toxic to fish.

Conserve Water – Install efficient toilets, faucets and showerheads.  Water your garden in early morning.  Plant native species that need less water. 

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