Seeing Stars: The EnviroStars Program Experience NAHMMA Conference September 22, 2005

EnviroStars Program Purpose  Primary: work with businesses to prevent, reduce, recycle, and properly manage hazardous wastes (in that order);  Secondarily: to give the public an objective way to identify environmentally responsible businesses in their community.

EnviroStars Program Reach Regional program –Implemented in 5 counties: King, Kitsap, Pierce, Jefferson & Whatcom Encompassing 59 different cities

Who’s Involved Local CESQG programs WA State Department of Ecology CoStar partners –ASA, AAA, NMTA, PSA… EnviroStars Recognized Leaders –Starbucks Coffee Company & Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

Leveraging Resources Connect work with other local government agencies –Sewer Utilities, Tacoma Water –Clean Air Agency Reach larger audience, leverage resources, reinforce messages, build credibility

Certification Process Rated on a 2-star to 5-star scale  Meeting minimum regulatory requirements to demonstrating leadership in the industry and/or community  P2 application/worksheet  On-site verification visit  Renewal process

Marketing & Promotional Benefits Promo opportunities increase with star rating –Use of the EnviroStars logo –Listed in directories & websites –Radio and print advertisements –Success stories, award nominations –Events, exhibits, ceremonies –Special promotions like TV

Business Outreach Strategies By Industry Association –Automotive By Community –Redmond By Leadership Status –Korean Dry Cleaners By Issue –Employee turnover

Participation by Industry

EnviroStars by Star Rating

Comparison of Counties with EnviroStars Programs YearPopulationFTEBudget#of Estars King19951,774, field staff $30k350 Snohomish , Discon’t ’03 56 Kitsap ,0001.2$18k79 Whatcom ,200 special prj $11k15 Pierce ,0000.5$5k113 Jefferson200126,6000.1<$1k7

2005 Public survey results:

Public Awareness King County

2004 Renewal Data: King Co. 86 percent report that they have reduced, recycled or prevented wastes in order to become, or since becoming EnviroStars certified. Following this, the most frequently identified benefits include (in order): Improved employee retention; Improved policies/procedures; Reinforced repeat customers/customer loyalty; Saved disposal costs; Recognized by peers/industry; And in a three-way tie: Added customers/clients; Improved operational efficiencies; Free advertising/promotions.

"The biggest thing I have gotten out of the program is my mindset. I give more thought to new products, old products, and potential waste streams and long- term issues." Steve Malland, Car Tender

Impacts & Results… Data: a small slice 17 ES Dry cleaners in King County reduced over 42,828 pounds, an ave. of 2,524lb/shop; 10 ES Auto shops in King County reduced over 66,934 pounds.

Bottom Line impacts… Based on 42 success stories, –EnviroStars automotive shops have saved over $210,000 annually through a variety of waste reduction, reuse and recycling practices.

More Impacts & Results  Built on behavior change principles;  Brings in business requests for services;  Creates relationship as on-going resource between business and staff;  Creates consistent expectations for businesses across counties participating.

EnviroStars Contacts Jefferson (Port Townsend): King (Seattle): Laurel= Kitsap (Bainbridge): Niels= Pierce (Tacoma): Lindsay= Whatcom (Bellingham): Penni= STAR(7827) Recognition Research Report:

Esteemed EnviroStar Panel Scott Tveten, Tveten’s Auto Clinic Nancy Wagner, Malm’s Summit Drycleaning & Alterations Chris Hogan, In Harmony Organic Landscape Services Rich Lancaster, Printing Control Graphics Sue Joerger, Puget Soundkeeper Alliance