Tag: waste reduction

  • Ballard Sprouts Updates

    Ballard Sprouts Updates

    Our little sprouts are doing well in the new giving garden, wood chips have been spread around the back yard and we are getting ready to erect our new greenhouse. Our next tasks are to create a level foundation for the greenhouse out of 4 x 4’s and start to assemble. 

    We will do this in 2 work parties:

    Sun Sept 7 from 2 – 4 pm – level soil, build the foundation and attach the greenhouse base

    Sat Sept 13 from 10 am – 12 pm – assemble the rest of the greenhouse

    If you are interested in helping install the greenhouse on either day, contact Jenny with your availability.

    You can participate in other ways as well! Contact Jenny about any of the following:

    • If you would like to devote a portion of your garden to growing vegetables for the Ballard Food Bank next Spring and would like to get veggie starts from our Sprouts program, please send your contact info and we let you know what we are growing and when the plant starts are ready for pick up in central Ballard.
    • If you do your own starts and expect to have more than you can fit in your garden and would like those to go to giving gardens, we are happy to receive and distribute those for you.
    • We’re happy to have more volunteers help with work parties next Spring where we plant seeds or transplant starts into bigger pots.
    • We can always use volunteers to weed and help improve the garden in preparation for showing it on the Edible Garden Tour next year!

    Below are some photos from our wood chips work day and of our giving garden growing!

  • March Waste Reduction Tips

    March Waste Reduction Tips

    Spring Cleaning, Recycling, Repurposing and More

    This time of year, winter gives way to, well, more rain, making spring ideal for refreshing your home and renewing your commitment to the environment. As spring crops up, so do more opportunities to reduce your waste. Consider these helpful tips while spring cleaning.

    Cleaning Supplies

    Repurpose old brushes for cleaning.

    Make Your Own Cleaners. Save money and avoid harsh chemicals, hazardous waste and extra packaging . With tips on how to make everything from all-purpose cleaner to silver polish, here are a few websites to help you get started: eartheasy, Homeguides, harmony1.

    Use reusable rags, cloths, sponges and brushes instead of paper towels.

    Share or borrow cleaning supplies and tools that you seldom use with your neighbors. Remember you can borrow supplies from our very own Ballard Tool Library!

    Recycling Opportunities

    Donate used bicycles and parts to BikeWorks in Columbia City. They also accept donations at the North and South Transfer stations.

    Host a yard sale or clothing swap with your neighbors. Donate any unwanted items to a local charity.

    Rebounces re-energizes flat tennis balls. Consider mailing them your flat tennis balls or purchasing their re-energized balls.

    The Take Back Your Meds program offers convenient locations throughout Seattle to bring back your unused and expired medications – vitamins, over-the-counter medicine, prescription medication, pet meds, inhalers, samples and liquid medications. Find the closest drop-off.

    Donate magazines to schools, gyms, day cares and doctors’ offices.

    Re-purposing, Repairing and Reorganizing

    Repurpose shoe boxes and gift boxes for storage. Reuse glass jars to keep nails, screws and other small supplies.

    Before throwing a broken appliance away, look up local repair technicians. Many in Seattle can fix everything from furniture to cell phones. If you prefer to replace your broken item, donate it to a local technician for parts.

    For a fun, useful and waste-free activity, host a clothing swap, where participants exchange items they no longer wear with other participants.

    Maintaining

    Reduce even more waste by taking care of what you already have.

    Sharpen knives.

    Take care of your clothes and make them last longer.  Check out these tips.

    Clean home appliances. To prolong appliance life and reduce energy costs, remove dust from your refrigerator coil and freezer and lint from your dryer, furnace and vents.

  • Think Green Challenge Winners

    Think Green Challenge Winners

    picture1bWe’re excited to announce that Sustainable Ballard has won the Think Green outreach challenge along with 2 other neighborhoods (Wallingford and Delridge/South Park). Each will receive $3300 for a non-profit of their choice. Winner of the $40,000 Least Garbage Tonnage award is our neighbors, Phinney Ridge. Congrats Phinney!!

    The City of Seattle was very impressed with all of the outreach we participated in – Christmas carols, costume and spring-cleaning swaps, event booths, reusable bag pledges, and answers to “I love recycling, because…” that would put Shakespeare to shame. Visit our facebook post to see some of our answers.

    Thanks to everyone who participated in our outreach events. And thanks for reading our Monthly Waste Reduction Tips.