Good News!

The new RE Store (aka the Sustainable Living Center) is in final remodel stages. If you haven't been by to see the new digs, now is the time to stop by and check out the RE Sources' offices and nearly completed Community Education space.

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Workshops & Events

We will be bringing you a wide variety of regular workshops and other events in our new Sustainable Living Center education space in 2008. Check back regularly. You can also make it easy by signing up for the Baykeeper's regular News, Events, and Opportunities list by emailing the Baykeeper with "Subscribe to NEOP" in the subject line or sign up for the monthly RE Store email newsletter here by entering your email address in the left sidebar.

Green Drinks Bellingham is always growing with new faces and more contacts. We had over 60 people in February and will continue to host the social networking throughout the sunnier season! Be sure to bring a new friend or coworker and introduce them to the fantastic green community we have.

What: Green Drinks Bellingham
When: Wednesday, June 4th
Time: 5:00pm-7:00pm
Where: The Copper Hog (1327 N. State Street, Bellingham)

On the corner of North State Street and Magnolia lies a new “gastropub” in town. The Copper Hog, in the former North State Street Depot location, will be serving fine food and appetizers in a casual pub atmosphere. The Copper Hog has lots of elbow room and traditional pub décor, mircobews from around the world on tap and, of course, cocktails. Join us as we grace the Copper Hog with a big welcome the Green Drinks way.

Green Drinks is an organic networking session that started in London, England and has since caught fire around the world.  Like-minded individuals in places from Hong Kong to India, Sweden to South Africa meet every month to catch-up, network and talk about the latest green issues.  According to greendrinks.org, “These events are very simple and unstructured, but many people have found employment, made friends, developed new ideas, done deals and had moments of serendipity.”  The best part about Green Drinks is that there is no structure, just good people meeting at a regular place and time.

For more information about RE Sources for Sustainable Communities or any updates on the Green Drinks Bellingham, visit our website at www.re-sources.org or contact Megan Artz at (360) 733-8307 or MeganA@re-sources.org. Location updates will be posted on the Green Drinks website at www.greendrinks.org.

Action Alerts

**Action Needed!**

City of Bellingham Redevelopment and Habitat Opportunities:

The City of Bellingham is undergoing an enormous amount of change. The City of Bellingham is updating its Shoreline Master Program and undergoing a planning process along the Waterfront in the "New Whatcom" area, and the Port of Bellingham is tasked with remediating the Whatcom Waterways. (see cleanups below)

With all of the changes that will effect the City of Bellingham waterfront comes opportunity for enhancements and protection of habitat and public access.

To find out about specific opportunities to help effect this change, watch for events and opportunities on the North Sound Baykeeper news and events list or sign up to get the list delivered to your email address. (write to waters@re-sources.org to sign up)

Related pages:

Comments on the City of Bellingham Shoreline Master Program Update

Habitat Opportunities in the New Whatcom Area

Marine Resources Committee Letter on Habitat Opportunities in the New Whatcom Area

Recent Press

Re-use your bag, get a rebate, make a donation
February 2008 -

Brown and Cole stores across Whatcom and Skagit County are rewarding customers for bringing their own reusable bag to the grocery store.  This isn’t a new idea.  Some businesses are already offering a small discount if you bring your own bag, coffee cup, etc.  But did you know that Brown and Cole was the first grocery store in the country (back in 1979) to offer customers a rebate if they re-used their grocery bags?  Today, the local grocery chain is leading the pack again, not only by giving a nickel rebate to those who bring their own bag, but by giving customers a choice to donate their nickel to a local environmental group. 

RE Sources for Sustainable Communities is the designated environmental group to benefit from donations made at any of the 12 Whatcom County locations (Cost Cutter in Bellingham, Ferndale and Blaine, Everson Red Apple, Lynden and Southside Food Pavilion).  

Thank you, Brown and Cole, for your continued support of RE Sources, our community and our environment.

Seattle RE Store's deconstruction crew featured
Seattle Times
August 19, 2007 - Front Page!
If a house has to go, at least it can go 'green' --piece by piece.

RE Sources to recycle farm pesticide containers
Bellingham Herald
May 24, 2006 - Business Section
Announcing that the Northwest Clean Air Agency awarded RE Sources for Sustainable Communities funding to help agricultural businesses recycle plastic waste in Whatcom, Skagit, and Island counties.

BP settles suit over spill threat
Bellingham Herald
May 19, 2006 - Growth Section
RE Sources won a settlement against BP's Cherry Point refinery, requiring the refinery to increase efforts in oil-spill prevention and to pay for a study of spill risks.

County residents share concerns for Puget Sound
Bellingham Herald
May 18, 2006 - Environment Section
Whatcom County residents expressed their concerns for the health of local marine waters to a group sent by Washington State Governor's office.

RE Store to buy Meridian St. building
Bellingham Herald
May 11, 2006 - Real Estate Section
The exciting announcement of an accepted purchase and sale agreement for RE Sources and The RE Store to buy the Wilson's Furniture building at the corner of Broadway and Meridian in the Fountain District of Bellingham. Now the feasibility study will commence...

Environmental heroes show they can make a difference
Bellingham Herald
May 5, 2006 - Editorial/Opinions Section
Editors Op/Ed piece that stands with RE Sources in acknowledging the 2006 Environmental Heroes

RE Lectronics properly recycled over 70,000 pounds of materials in 2005
(scroll down to 2nd article).
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Bellingham Herald

New Use for G-P Materials
RE Store salvages items from soon-to-be demolished structure
See the G-P Salvage photo here on the Bellingham Herald Site

Main editorial on the editorial page of

OUR VIEW 3/30/06
RE Store project worthy whatever the location
March 30, 2006RE Sources begins capital campaign
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Bellingham HeraldWhatcom Waterway: The Next Chapter
Whatcom Watch
FebruaryIssue, 2006
Now is the time for the cleanup of the Whatcom Waterway... Waterkeeper Magazine (pdf download)
Winter 2006 issue
By Rick Dove
The North Sound Baykeeper, Puget Sound Baykeeper, and Commencement Baykeeper are featured in a great article about these 3 women who are spearheading the protection of our marine waters.

Resistance to more tankers mounts
The Olympian
January 2, 2006
By Peggy Andersen
Regional legislators band together to fend off oil effort by Alaskan senator

Living Lightly

Simple Ways to Make “Earth Day” Every Day!

This month is “Earth Month” in honor of Earth Day - April 22.  This annual celebration of our natural world offers plenty of opportunities to begin simple lifestyle changes that help the environment.

Environmental degradation isn't all grounded tankers and global warming, though our national demand for fossil fuels supports those larger disasters, too.  Our individual actions impact the earth, and each of us needs to find ways to reduce the burden.

Citizens of the United States demand a greater portion of the world's natural resources than any other country.  In Whatcom County alone, most people discard between 3 and 4 pounds of garbage every day.   That's 1,200 pounds per person every year, half of which could be recycled or composted. 

The typical U.S. household creates between 11,000 and 16,000 pounds of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide every year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s climate change website, and that’s not including an average of 5.2 metric tons emitted by the average passenger vehicle each year.

What can you do?

Begin by cutting down on waste.  Make a habit of bringing a cloth bag to the grocery store.  Try other reusable products, as well, such as cloth handkerchiefs in place of tissues, or sponges instead of paper towels.  Buy in bulk.  In the office, don’t make hard copies of electronic materials if you don’t need them.  When you do print or make copies, use the “double-sided” function to save paper.  Use any scrap paper for notes.

Use your recycling and compost bins at home and at work.  By recycling and composting up to half our yearly waste, each of us could save enough energy to power a home for a month and the fiber equivalent of three and a half trees.  Learn more about composting from the Whatcom County Master Recyclers / Composters at www.whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/compost/mrcprogram.htm

Drive less.  Remember carpooling?  How about biking or walking to work or on short errands?  Now that the weather is warmer, it's time to give alternative transportation a try.  Everyone who takes the bus just one day a week can reduce her or his own auto pollution and gas usage by up to 20 percent.  Even maintaining your engine and the air pressure in your tires can help:  One auto can waste a half gallon of gas by driving to Seattle and back with tires that are poorly inflated.  Join the “Smart Trips” commuter program and earn rewards: www.whatcomsmarttrips.org

Conserve water.  Each of us can use up to 7 gallons of water per minute taking a hot shower.  Try a low-flow showerhead, instead, to cut that waste in half.  Fix leaky plumbing, too, and turn off the tap while brushing your teeth.

And don't forget the old stand-bys such as planting trees, turning off the lights, and turning down the heat.  Try new approaches, too.  Ask local merchants to carry recycled and chlorine-free paper products.  Do your part to protect the environment on your own, then join in with the community to celebrate Earth Day Every Day.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends the following sites for more “Earth Day” ideas:

Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
EPA's interactive climate change Web page has a personal carbon calculator and information on ways individuals can reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ind_calculator.html

Save Energy
EPA's Energy Star Web page is the great place for consumers to find energy efficient products that are good for the environment and their wallets. The site offers information on energy-efficient electronics, lighting and cooling systems. www.energystar.gov/homeimprovement

Use Water Efficiently
Visit EPA's WaterSense Web page to learn how efficient products and smart water choices can save money and help protect our nation's water supply.  www.epa.gov/watersense/

http://www.earthday.org has additional ideas.