FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kitsap County, Washington Wins EPA Award for Waste Reduction

(Washington, D.C.) - On Friday, October 20, 2006, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) presented Kitsap County, Washington with a Local Government Partner of the Year award.

For six consecutive years, Kitsap County has won a WasteWise award. The County attributes much of its success to finding innovative ways to improve its waste reduction program. In 2005, Kitsap County piloted a junk mail and fax waste reduction program in its Public Works Department, eliminating more than 1,200 pieces of junk mail and 1,000 junk faxes. It plans to expand this program to all of its departments in 2006. Kitsap County’s waste reduction efforts saved the county more than $700,000 in avoided disposal costs in 2005. It also has a strong employee education program that includes posters, electronic newsletters, departmental coordinator workshops, and 30-minute training sessions to inform its staff on how to maximize their participation in the waste reduction program.

EPA honored Kitsap County for these extraordinary achievements at the 2006 WasteWise Annual Conference: Partnering for Success in Sustainability. Kitsap County is one of only 10 organizations to receive a Partner of the Year award at this event.

WasteWise is a free and voluntary partnership program launched by EPA in 1994. The program provides guidance and recognition to nearly 1,900 participating organizations that are working to find practical methods to reduce municipal solid waste and improve financial performance. EPA is pleased to recognize Kitsap County, Washington and other members that have made the program a success through their sustained commitment to waste reduction.

For more information about EPA’s WasteWise program and details about the 2006 WasteWise Annual Conference, please visit the WasteWise Web site at www.epa.gov/wastewise or contact the WasteWise Helpline at (800) EPA-WISE (372-9473).

Vicki Bushnell receives a Government Partner of the Year 2006 WasteWise award on behalf of Kitsap County from Susan Bodine of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Other Related Links:
www.epa.gov/wastewise

Kitsap County Public Works
The Open Line
(360) 337-5777 or (800) 825-4940
openline@co.kitsap.wa.us