EnviroCertified

Aqua Duck captures the spirit and stories of Upriver Scrub

Aqua Duck captures the spirit and stories of Upriver Scrub

Madison Garner Communications Major, Whitworth University

A group of middle school students spend their Saturday, not playing video games, but picking up trash on the Spokane River. Employees chat, not over drinks, but over planting trees. Couples enjoy each other’s company, not at a movie theater, but collecting garbage along the river trail. It’s all a part of the Upriver Scrub, an event where members of the community come together to clean up one of Spokane’s most valuable resources. Let’s follow Aqua Duck to some of the locations to learn more about the event and the people working it.

First

C & H Foreign Auto a leader in environmentally friendly business practices

C & H Foreign Auto a leader in environmentally friendly business practices

Spokane EnviroStars is pleased to recognize the five star certification of C & H Foreign Auto. Decades ago C & H President Ed Cushman recognized the importance of education in protecting our river and aquifer by helping guide businesses across the state to reduce their waste streams. For Cushman his motivation is simple: “I love where I live. I love clean water.” As a prominent member of Automotive Service Association (ASA) Northwest, Cushman helped instill practices which are now common such as recycling oil and antifreeze. In 1993 the ASA recognized Cushman as its member of the year. Today

EnviroStars, Aqua Duck and Maid Naturally working together to keep houses clean and the aquifer safe!

EnviroStars, Aqua Duck and Maid Naturally working together to keep houses clean and the aquifer safe!

Maid Naturally’s model is simple: compounds found in nature can clean homes and businesses and then go back into nature without disruption. As a certified EnviroStars member, their values align perfectly with our goal to provide business-friendly solutions to keep our river and aquifer safe.

Local phosphorus bans precipitate global changes

It’s been nearly ten years since Liberty Lake squared off with Proctor & Gamble (P & G) over their 2005 resolution banning phosphorus in automatic dishwasher soap. Today the David and Goliath like encounter has proven Liberty Lake to be ahead of its time. The story starts in 1989 with phosphorus being discharged from Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District causing algae blooms in Liberty Lake.  To reduce phosphorus inflow to the plant, Liberty Lake passed one of the first laundry detergent bans in the nation. In 2005, they again led the way with a dish soap ban. P &

At SouthCare Animal Medical Center love for outdoors and stewardship go hand in hand

At SouthCare Animal Medical Center love for outdoors and stewardship go hand in hand

Some may not see the connection between kayaking through Bowl and Pitcher rapids and switching to waste-free digital x-rays—but to veterinarian and outdoorsman Dr. Gregory Benoit it all makes sense. For him, whether it’s work or play, a healthy water system “permeates everything.”
Shop Smart. Shop Jaremko Nissan to help protect the Spokane River and aquifer

Shop Smart. Shop Jaremko Nissan to help protect the Spokane River and aquifer

Spokane EnviroStars is proud to announce the five star certification of Jaremko Nissan for both auto service and collision repair. Envirostars certifies businesses for properly disposing hazardous and other wastes that can pollute the environment. Said Tonilee Hanson, “We’ve certified 72 businesses. Check them out.”