Visit New Spokane EnviroStars Waste Directory

The Spokane River Forum has launched a new waste directory designed to help local residents and businesses make choices that protect the region’s sole-source aquifer and improve the quality of the Spokane River. Public sentiment strongly favors actions to care for the river and the aquifer, which provides drinking water to 600,000 people.The City of Spokane alone is in the process of spending more than $300 million in improved wastewater treatment, management of stormwater runoff, and addition of green infrastructure improvements. Add up similar public and private investments all the way upstream to Coeur d’Alene and the tally is over $700 million. Beyond paying their monthly utility bills, individuals often ask how they can contribute to, as the mayor of Spokane says, “a cleaner river faster.” The new Spokane EnviroStars Waste Directory at www.spokanewastedirectory.org makes it much easier for individuals to do their part. The Spokane River Forum EnviroStars director and Spokane Aquifer Joint Board program manager Tonilee Hanson said, “Especially with a growing population, our best protection is to help keep hazardous and other wastes out of the aquifer and river system to begin with. “ Called “source control,” it acknowledges the thousands of small actions that can be taken every day to keep our water and air clean. The Waste Directory is an interactive on-line database that lets individuals and small businesses connect with vendors (public and private) that are available to safely dispose of their wastes. Common disposal options include taking it to a transfer station or drop-off location, curbside or front door pick-up, or using the postal system. Part of the directory even uses Google Maps to give you directions to drop off material. For residents, the database includes 115 waste types and 54 vendors. For businesses, there are 143 waste types and 57 vendors. Many vendors have multiple locations. The directory has “filters” and descriptions of waste types and vendors to assure someone’s needs are easily and best matched with the waste they are trying to get rid of. For instance, Hanson said, “CFL compact fluorescent lights are more energy efficient than incandescent lights, but they contain mercury and can’t go into the trash can. One broken fluorescent bulb can contaminate 7,000 gallons of water with mercury. You can store CFLs in an empty six pack carton to keep them from breaking until you drop them off at one of nine Spokane vendors who handle them.” Another unique feature of the directory is providing “green alternatives,” options for switching to a benign product or using a different practice to avoid contributing to the waste stream. The waste directory is an extension of the Spokane River Forum’s EnviroStars program, which was begun in 2010 and includes nine partnering organizations: the City of Spokane, Spokane Regional Health District, Spokane County, Spokane Aquifer Joint Board, Spokane Regional Solid Waste System, Spokane Regional Clean Air, Spokane Riverkeeper, and the Washington Department of Ecology. At the heart of the EnviroStars program are small-quantity generators of hazardous waste that agree to a voluntary inspection from the Spokane County Health District. Based on a checklist, these businesses can make any needed improvements and receive a certification. Once certified, they become eligible for the EnviroStars program, which provides promotion in the form of free advertising and social media recognition. Currently, there are 74 certified EnviroStars businesses in the Spokane area. Hanson said, “We use the phrase ‘Good for Business, Good for the Environment, Good for You’ to communicate why the public may want to shop at an EnviroStars business.” To find EnviroStars businesses that include everything from auto repair shops to dentists, visit www.envirostars.org. EnviroStars started in King County and has grown to be a cooperative with participation from seven counties, 60 cities and more than 750 businesses in the state. Hanson said, “Spokane is the lone east side member of the cooperative, and the number of certified Spokane EnviroStars is growing.” Development of the waste directory was made possible by a Public Participation Grant from the Department of Ecology. For further information about the Spokane River Forum, EnviroStars and the EnviroStars was directory, visit: www.spokanewastedirectory.org www.spokaneenvirostars.org www.spokaneriver.net