Kitsap County Public Works has announced the 2003 goals for the in-house Waste Wi$e Kitsap program. In 2002, the County saved $128,000 by recycling office paper, cardboard, tin, scrap metal, concrete, asphalt, toner cartridges, fluorescent light tubes, batteries, tires, and other items generated during regular operations.

Department-wide goals include reducing paper usage by making double-sided copies, evaluating forms for revision to use less paper, and printing only e-mails that are needed for documentation. Employees in all departments are requested to turn off lights when not in the office. Other department-wide goals that continue from previous years include purchasing only paper made with recycled content and remanufactured toner cartridges, as well as janitorial supplies that contain recycled paper or plastic.

County construction projects all have environmentally friendly construction goals that boost recycling and the use of building materials, which are resource and energy efficient.

Departments will continue to use The Wa$te Exchange, a virtually paperless in-house program in which departments swap surplus office supplies such as file folders, binders, bulletin boards, and desk accessories. County departments have saved over $5,000 by exchanging items using the e-mail group instead of purchasing new products.

Aluminum can and plastic soda bottle recycling in County parks, ballparks, and the Fairgrounds will continue, as well as cardboard recycling at events. The offices and offsite facilities have recycled office paper and cardboard for over ten years.

More detailed information about the Waste Wi$e Kitsap program and the 2003 goals can be found at www.kitsapgov.com/sw.