Since 2007, King County’s Best Workplaces for Recycling and Waste Reduction list has recognized the accomplishments of local small and large businesses in conserving natural resources, and in reducing the amount of trash that goes into the regional landfill.

As the program enters its fifth year, King County is announcing a new feature of the program – the Best Workplaces Honor Roll. Businesses that have been on the list for the past four years and meet the 2011 required criteria will be eligible for this top recognition, according to a county media release.

The business honor roll will serve to inspire other companies about reducing waste through simple changes to their daily operations.

“Businesses of all types may be surprised how easy it is to improve their recycling habits, and how much they can cut costs in doing so,” said Karen May, King County Solid Waste Division program manager. “The wide array of businesses in King County that make up this list prove that anyone can help the environment in their work setting.”

All businesses operating in King County outside the city of Seattle are eligible to apply, and the list will be announced in June.

Businesses interested in applying must complete an online application. The deadline is May 27.

To make the list, a business must meet five criteria, and then meet at least 10 additional benchmarks from a list of other waste reduction and recycling practices, such as collecting food scraps and food-soiled paper for composting, collecting batteries for recycling, or offering paperless billing to customers.

The online application is available at http://your.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/garbage-recycling/apply-best-workplaces.asp.

More information is available by calling May at 206-296-4353, or e-mail karen.may@kingcounty.gov.

 

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