Here is some “green” news in Kirkland, WA. Both articles are important, so here they are straight from their source.

The first is from Kirkland E-Updates:

  Betsy Adams – Education/Outreach Specialist

Green Groceries

A normal trip to the grocery store involves hundreds of decisions that have a real environmental impact. Make a few simple changes in your shopping habits to have a positive impact on the world:

•Buy locally-produced organic foods
•Look for items without extensive packaging
•Buy recycled products & paper products containing post-consumer waste
•Use a reusable shopping bag to carry your groceries

Call (425)587-3812 or email recycle@ci.kirkland.wa.us for a free reusable shopping bag.
Want to make your own bag? Check out www.morsbags.com

Local Litter Pickup

Spring’s a-springing! Now’s a great time to spot and pick up litter, before new spring leaves hide it. Consider taking a bag with you on walks to collect trash and litter that you see along the way. You’ll help protect wildlife, improve water quality, and make your community a little bit more beautiful.

Save the Date!

April 19th 
-Invasive Plant Removal @ Cotton Hill Park (9 to 12)
-Residential Recycling Collection Event @ South Kirkland Park & Ride (9 to 3)

April 22nd – Earth Day

April 22nd, May 6th, May 20th
-Natural Yard Design
A series of free workshops on how to design a yard using natural yard care practices. Topics include garden design, managing pests without harmful pesticides, building healthy soils and reducing water usage. For more information or to sign up, please contact Betsy Adams.

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This just in from Marie Stake, the city communications director:

Kirkland’s Green Building Program Recognized by Master Builder’s BuiltGreen^TM 

Kirkland, WA –  In January, the City of Kirkland launched a pilot Green Building incentive program that offers priority permit processing to encourage sustainable building in the construction of new single family residences.  Yesterday, the program received a BuiltGreen^TM Hammer Award in the category of “Built Green Advocate, Public Sector” presented by the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties. Kirkland Mayor Jim Lauinger and the City’s Green Building Team accepted the award at the 2008 BuiltGreen^TM Conference and Expo held in Seattle, Washington.   “This award recognizes the City’s commitment to sustainability,” notes Mayor Jim Lauinger.  “Kirkland values its natural resources and this program helps to protect them.” Two Kirkland businesses were also honored.  CamWest Development, Inc. received a Green Hammer Award in the category of “Builder, Large Production” and David Manning, Marketing Manager for Triad Associates, was honored with the BuiltGreen^TM Pioneer award.   To be eligible for the incentive, plans for new single family development must achieve a level of four or five stars under the BuiltGreen^TM program or a silver or better rating through the LEED^® for Homes program.  For more information, go to www.ci.kirkland.wa.us/kirklandgreen, email greenbuildingteam@ci.kirkland.wa.us or call 425-587-3225.

The City of Kirkland is making a great attempt to Go Green are you?

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!