Going Green for Good
Sun | Local
Julie McCormick, Sun Staff — Jul 6th,
Walk into the shed marked "Health Department" at Bainbridge Gardens Nursery and you'll see why it just became the first nursery in the state to achieve an EnviroStar designation from the Kitsap County Health Department.
It's five stars in a rating system that starts at two.
The six-county Western Washington program is intended to reduce hazardous waste pollution in the environment.
At Bainbridge Gardens, they not only stopped using hazardous garden products, they stopped selling them.
Fertilizer, pesticide and herbicide line rows of shelves 20 feet deep in the nursery's Health Department, every one of them a remedy or additive of organic origins.
There's not a petrochemical in the bunch, unless you want to count the new stuff in the orange spray bottle labeled Lush Lawn.
It's promoted as a quick-acting organic fertilizer made from microbial breakdown of crude oil.
"I was a little nervous at first," Steve Minch, operations manager at the nursery, confesses about his decision to try Lush Lawn.
"But when you think about it, what could be more organic than oil?" he says with a smile.
Minch and nursery manager Ann Lovejoy head up the organic-only brigade at the nursery, which started two years ago when Lovejoy came on board.
Nursery owner Junko Harui, who has made the nursery a revered community institution, invited Lovejoy, a Northwest garden writer with near-celebrity status, to join the business. He knew what was coming.
"He said, 'I s'pose you're going to take us green, aren't you?' " says Lovejoy, a bounce and a gush to her voice in keeping with her surname.
And she did, but not alone.
"I had a lot of enthusiastic assistance," says Lovejoy, who credits staffers eager to try new products and new ways of doing things.
It's a good thing they're eager, because their gardens are the guinea pigs of green.
There is no master list of certified-reliable green gardening products to consult when you start discarding the Weed 'n' Feed.
Lovejoy and Minch consult the state Department of Agriculture and Ecology, distributors and manufacturers. They go to shows and conferences. They read up and they phone up.
"Looking for products has been an incredible process," Lovejoy says, a rueful laugh darting into the middle of her sentence. "At every staff meeting, people would take stuff home and they'd have to report how it worked."
Going green was a localized thing. The petrochemicals already were gone, the recycling under way at Bainbridge Gardens when Lovejoy encountered county environmental health staffers, who encouraged her to apply for the EnviroStar program.
The program is aimed particularly at businesses like auto repair shops, dental offices and dry cleaners, all of which produce hazardous waste, but at levels below that regulated by state and federal governments.
"Nurseries are not your typical hazardous waste producers," said Eva Crim, the health district's business pollution prevention coordinator.
Selling only organic products doesn't make an EnviroStar.
Getting rid of environmentally hazardous products was a required step, and it took some doing.
There was a page list of products the nursery had to return or discard submitted with the EnviroStar application.
"We couldn't even take broken bags of Weed 'n' Feed to a moderate facility," Lovejoy recalls. "That was a real eye-opener, to learn that a lot of stuff on the shelf is high-hazard material."
Such material is going onto plants, into soil, birds, insects and mammals and ultimately into the county's aquifers and Puget Sound.
They're poison, as environmental studies prove over and over.
Lovejoy has been preaching green gardening for 20 years, but admits it can be a hard sell to gardening veterans accustomed to the tried-and-true name brands.
Bainbridge Gardens still carries small packages of Miracle Gro and Osmocote fertilizers for container gardens, which have to be fed frequently, but staffers are trained and educated to inform and encourage their customers to try the green path.
"The reason they qualified at five stars is because of their leadership in the community," Crim says.
EnviroStar is funded by the state Department of Ecology, and also activated in King, Jefferson, Pierce, Snohomish and Whatcom counties.
"This is one way that we could get out and meet with those businesses and recognize the good things they're doing," Crim says.
Reach reporter Julie McCormick at () or at [email protected]
On the Web
For information about the EnviroStars program, go to www.kitsapcountyhealth.com and click on solid & hazardous waste under the environmental health section.
ENVIROSTARS
The nationally recognized EnviroStars Program certifies businesses for reducing, recycling and properly managing hazardous waste. The program was created in King County in and includes five other Puget Sound counties.
The goal is to give businesses incentives and recognition for reducing hazardous waste, while giving consumers an objective way to identify environmentally sound businesses.
EnviroStars certified businesses
ANALYTICAL LABORATORIES
Twiss Analytical, Poulsbo
AUTO BODY REPAIR
Jerry's Auto Rebuild, Bainbridge Island
John's Body Shop, Poulsbo
Modern Collision Rebuild, Bainbridge Island
North Kitsap Auto Rebuild, Poulsbo
Auto Body Experts, Poulsbo
Trew Auto Body Inc., Bremerton
Wiley's Body Shop, Inc., Port Orchard
Ken's Auto Body, Port Orchard
AUTO REPAIR
B&B Auto Repair, Bremerton
Bainbridge Island Auto Repair, Bainbridge Island
Courtesy Chevrolet Service Department, Poulsbo
DME Auto Service, Poulsbo
Hansville Repair, Hansville
Liberty Bay Auto Center, Poulsbo
Olympic College Automotive Technology, Bremerton
Bremerton Chrysler Plymouth Dodge, Bremerton
Suquamish Auto Repair, Suquamish
Courtesy Ford and Mitsubishi, Poulsbo
West Sound Automotive, Silverdale
DENTISTS AND DENTAL OFFICES
Kregg Hoover, Poulsbo
MacFarlane, Bell & Thompson, Bainbridge Island
John J. Bial, Bremerton
Sally Hewett, & Kelly Thompson, Bainbridge Island
Dr. Malidore, Port Orchard
Schwager Dental, Bainbridge Island
DRY CLEANERS
Amy's Cleaners, Port Orchard
East Towne Cleaners, Bremerton
Society Cleaners, Bremerton
Old Town Cleaners, Silverdale
Ridgetop Cleaners, Silverdale
Super Cleaners, Port Orchard
Eldon's Cleaners, Bremerton
Silverdale Cleaners, Silverdale
LANDSCAPERS
The Lawn Jockey, Port Orchard
NURSERIES
Bainbridge Gardens, Bainbridge Island
PHOTO PROCESSING
Enviroprint Shop, Bremerton
Photo Dynamics, Silverdale
PUBLIC WORKS
City of Bainbridge Island Maintenance Facility
Source: Kitsap County Health District
Why I Drug Test Employees
er hired a private investigator who administered polygraph tests to determine how the pump disappeared and who was responsible. One employee – the most likely perpetrator – promptly quit. During the course of the investigation, however, it was learned that 16 out of 25 employees were regular drug users. And this shop had been suffering from a 30 percent internal re-do rate. It took nearly five years for the shop to clean up the drug problem, but their re-do rate is now near zero.
Click Here to Read More
A shop bookkeeper promptly quit when checks started to bounce despite plenty of cash showing on the company books. An investigation by the shop owner and an audit by a CPA revealed that this bookkeeper had embezzled as much as $5, of company funds. A technician in the same shop was later terminated for excessive comebacks related to quality and safety issues and was later described by the shop owner as a hazard to himself and everyone around him. After he was terminated, his co-workers revealed that the bookkeeper had been buying drugs from the technician at break times.
A paint prepper openly complained to co-workers that he wasn&#;t getting paid enough to buy &#;blow&#; and was going to demand a raise. This person was later caught siphoning gas from a total loss vehicle. When confronted, he tried to excuse it by saying he wasn&#;t paid enough to put gas in his car. He was later terminated for poor-quality work.
A helper didn&#;t show up for a scheduled shop meeting. When the shop owner inquired where he was, a co-worker casually mentioned that he was in his car in the employee parking lot &#;toking up&#; and would be late.
A lead technician quit. It was later revealed that he occasionally smoked pot in the paint booth. His subordinates feared that they would lose their jobs if they said anything. At the shop floor level, most people who&#;ve been in the collision repair trade can share many true stories like these because they&#;ve personally encountered or witnessed difficult situations in the shop where drugs were involved.
Have we accepted that drug abuse is a problem in our industry, or is ignorance bliss?
I haven&#;t been able to find statistics for our industry because it&#;s never been singled out for study, but I do know that in other industries, the rate of illicit drug use ranges from a low of 3 percent for protective service workers to nearly 19 percent for food preparation, wait staff and bartenders. My hunch is that the collision repair industry is probably about 15 percent, but the guys on the floor say my hunch grossly understates the real number.
Here are some interesting general facts based on studies reported by the Institute for a Drug-Free Workplace:
Of all workplace drug users who test positive, 52 percent are daily users.
Employees who test positive for drugs are 60 percent more likely to be responsible for plant accidents, use a third more sick leave and have many more unexcused absences.
The State of Wisconsin estimates that expenses and losses related to substance abuse average 25 percent of the salary of each worker affected.
A single drug user in the State of Washington will cost his employer upward of $14, per year.
The postal service conducted a study from to that provided conclusive evidence that drug-using employees perform poorly compared to non-using employees. During the study period, the Postal Service hired job applicants regardless of whether they passed or failed their drug tests. The two groups were then closely monitored. The results indicated that employees who tested positive for marijuana have 55 percent more injuries, a 55 percent greater discipline rate and a 78 percent increase in absenteeism. For the cocaine-positive group, absenteeism was percent higher and there were 85 percent more injuries.
It&#;s a no-brainer to apply these facts to our industry and assume how this could be affecting our businesses. It&#;s probably not only costing us money, but if we fail to address this problem, it&#;s lending legitimacy to a work environment where drug abuse by a few is tolerated and accepted. And this likely makes the vast majority of those in the collision repair trade uncomfortable with their workplace situations and leads to a list of employee issues, such as high turnover, attitudes and so on.
The shop is a &#;Don&#;t ask, don&#;t tell&#; environment, where co-workers don&#;t report illicit drug activity for fear of being labeled a snitch. Most of my opening incidents were like that – known by other employees, but unknown to the shop owners until the parties directly involved were gone. And who would want to enter an industry with a reputation for drug abuse? So what do we do? Get help. There are many drug-free business organizations around the country. In the State of Washington, the Drug Free Business Organization has helped more than 4, businesses implement comprehensive programs. They set up your entire program with written policies, drug testing forms, sample collection facilities, supervisor training and employee assistance/counseling programs. Once on the program, your business is designated as a Drug Free Business. These programs are clearly superior to any program we might draft ourselves and provide you the legal framework to run an effective policy.
My experience of implementing this was positive. Admittedly, I was apprehensive about announcing my intention to start the program. Pre-employment drug tests have driven off prospective new hires in the past. (In retrospect, I was no doubt fortunate.) But my employee response was positive and supportive, and I&#;m glad I took that first step.
In our state, an employee-wide drug screening isn&#;t an implementation requirement, and employees are given at least 45 days notice of when optional random testing or testing for cause will start – so it gives your staff ample advance notice.
I don&#;t know how many other collision repair facilities are designated Drug Free Workplaces, but I strongly urge you to check into this worthwhile program and implement it. It will go far to help us recruit good people into the industry and to enhance our public image. I believe that we should attract only the best and offer any drug abusers the opportunity to make a choice: Either get off drugs or find another trade.
To find a drug-free business organization in your state, go to the Web and type &#;drug free business&#; and your state name, and you should find the one nearest you.
Writer Jim Sund owns North Kitsap Auto Rebuild, Inc. in Poulsbo, Wash., which has 12 employees, including his daughter, Sara, who&#;s an estimator. He&#;s a retired navy officer with a Master of Science Degree in Business/Information Systems from San Francisco State University. Sund worked in the information technology management field for six years prior to buying his shop. These days, he&#;s an I-CAR instructor for Restraints and Electronics and also the state president of the Autobody Craftsman Association – Washington.
Auto Body Gig Harbor WA
Gerber Collision & Glass Gig Harbor - 44th Ave NW body shop offers quality auto body repair services backed by our industry-leading National Lifetime Guarantee for as long as you own your vehicle. We repair all makes and models and provide free written repair estimates. Contact our Gig Harbor auto body shop for all of your collision repair / body work requirements.
Collision Repair Gig Harbor
Gerber Collision & Glass Gig Harbor services include collision repair, auto body repair, dent / scratch repair / removal, frame straightening, auto paint repair, paintless dent repair (PDR), bumper repair, and more, to bring your vehicle back to pre-accident condition. We are your full-service auto body shop in Gig Harbor.
Why Choose Gerber in Gig Harbor?
- FREE Repair Estimates
- National Lifetime Guarantee
- Direct Billing to Insurance
- Deductible Financing
- I-CAR Gold Class
Gig Harbor Auto Body Shop
When you require auto collision repair expertise in Gig Harbor, WA, choose Gerber Collision & Glass. Our auto body shop is I-CAR Gold Class, which is the highest training level recognized in the collision repair industry.
Customer Feedback
had a loose fender and they fixed it quickly and inexpensively.. I recommend them highly.
Jerry G
Randy was a true professional, my expectations were exceeded.
Ryan S
Friendly and quick
TINA L
Windshield Replacement
Gerber Collision & Glass Gig Harbor provides windshield replacement and repair. We install high-quality auto glass and auto glass installation materials, ensuring a quality repair backed by a lifetime guarantee for as long as you own your car.
FacebookGoogle Map
Auto Glass Quote
Our highly trained, certified technicians install only the highest quality auto glass and sealants to ensure your new windshield performs as expected. Get an online windshield replacement quote or call us to arrange your auto glass service. Contact us for the best car window repair in Gig Harbor.
Mobile or Drop-off Auto Glass Service
Choose from our convenient drop-off or mobile / onsite auto glass service at no additional charge! Whether you schedule auto glass service online or by phone, the option is yours.
38 Washington Locations to Serve You!
- Airway Heights, WA, W Sunset Hwy
- Bellevue, WA, th PL NE
- Bellevue, WA, NE 8th St
- Bellevue, WA, SE Eastgate Way
- Bellingham, WA, Moore St
- Bremerton, WA, N Montgomery Ave
- Burien, WA, SW th St
- Burlington, WA, S Burlington Blvd
- Everett, WA, SW Everett Mall Way
- Gig Harbor, WA, 44th Ave NW
- Issaquah, WA, th Ave SE
- Kennewick, WA, W Okanogan Ave
- Kent, WA, Central Ave S
- Kirkland, WA, NE 85th St
- Lacey, WA, Carpenter Rd SE
- Lakewood, WA, th St SW
- Airway Heights, WA, W Sunset Hwy
- Bellevue, WA, th PL NE
- Bellevue, WA, NE 8th St
- Bellevue, WA, SE Eastgate Way
- Bellingham, WA, Moore St
- Bremerton, WA, N Montgomery Ave
- Burien, WA, SW th St
- Burlington, WA, S Burlington Blvd
- Everett, WA, SW Everett Mall Way
- Gig Harbor, WA, 44th Ave NW
- Issaquah, WA, th Ave SE
- Kennewick, WA, W Okanogan Ave
- Kent, WA, Central Ave S
- Kirkland, WA, NE 85th St
- Lacey, WA, Carpenter Rd SE
- Lakewood, WA, th St SW
- Lynnwood, WA, Hwy 99 S
- Lynnwood, WA, Hwy 99
- Marysville, WA, Smokey Point Blvd
- Mukilteo, WA, Mukilteo Speedway
- Olympia, WA, Devoe St SE
- Port Orchard, WA, Lumsden Rd
- Redmond, WA, NE 90th St
- Renton, WA, Rainier Ave N
- Richland, WA, Wellsian Way
- Seattle, WA, N th St
- Seattle, WA, 15th Ave NW
- Seattle, WA, E Olive St
- Seattle, WA, Thorndyke Ave W
- Spokane, WA, W 2nd Ave
- Spokane, WA, E 55th Ave
- Spokane, WA, E Francis Ave
- Spokane Valley, WA, N Argonne Rd
- Stanwood, WA, Cedarhome Dr
- Tacoma, WA, S Adams St
- Tumwater, WA, Black Lake Blvd SW
- Seattle, WA, 17th Ave SW
- Woodinville, WA, NE St
Cooper Auto Repair, The Best Truck and Car Repair Service in Bremerton
Get top-notch auto repair services today at Cooper Auto Repair. From AC repair to transmission services, our goal is to offer expert auto repairs at an affordable price. We are conveniently located near you in Bremerton. Come by our shop at Wheaton Way or call today to schedule an appointment at
Quick and Trouble-Free
We know your time is money. Most truck or car maintenance services can be completed while you wait. Many repairs such as AC repair, brakes, and transmission repairs will be performed that day. Straight forward or complicated, our mechanics will get your auto repairs done quickly and get you back on the road right away.
Get A Clear Estimate With No Hidden Costs
We will provide you with an easy to understand estimate before beginning any services. Ask us about options to keep auto repair costs low or upgrades to keep your car in top shape. We stand behind all of our work with a guarantee you can count on. Call today to schedule an appointment at
Our Mechanics Can Handle It
Our certified mechanics and highly skilled auto repair specialists provide the best in auto repair services for domestic and import automobiles of all makes and models.
Call today to schedule an appointment at or email us.
See What We Do!
4x4 Services, Alignment, Brakes, Car & Truck Care, Domestic Cars & Trucks, Electrical Services, Electronic Services, Engine & Transmission, Engine Maintenance, General Services, Heating and Cooling Services, Import Cars & Trucks, Miscellaneous Services, Quick Lube Services, Tires, Transmission Services and Undercar Services
Bremerton shop true body
Trew Auto Body Inc.
()
W Loxie Eagans Blvd, Bremerton, WA USA
closed
98%recommend
Trew Auto Body Inc is a family owned and operated auto repair business that has been serving the community since Our goal is to provide a high quality repair on a timely basis. We provide a high level of customer communication throughout the repair process including text and email messaging with the vehicle owners. We are an I-Car Gold Class facility.
Services
- Free Estimates
- Insurance Company Assistance
- Lifetime Warranty
- Full Service Mechanical
- Towing
- Automotive Glass Replacement
- Detailing
- Paintless Dent Repair
Payment Types
- American Express
- Discover Card
- MasterCard
- Visa
- Cash
- Debit Card
Hours
| Sun | Closed |
| Mon | am - pm |
| Tue | am - pm |
| Wed | am - pm |
| Thu | am - pm |
| Fri | am - pm |
| Sat | Closed |
Chrysler
Dodge
Fiat
Hyundai
Jeep
Nissan
Ram
Subaru
I-Car
4, Customers Rated
5 Stars
% Complete
()
4 Stars
% Complete
()
3 Stars
% Complete
(40)
2 Stars
% Complete
(22)
1 Star
% Complete
(5)
< 1 Star
% Complete
(31)
Time, he took out an intimate gel from his stocks and carefully lubricated both his penis and the girl's lick, diligently smearing both the lips and the inside, believing that such a wet and slippery surface would help his penis slip inside the girl. Masha already cautiously spread her legs for another attack on her virginity, expecting another portion of pain, which came as soon as Sergei.
Began to insert his penis.
Similar news:
- Marion county illinois recorder
- Quotes about divine feminine
- Vintage hunting pack frame
- Essential depot fragrance oils
- Shark tattoo ideas
- I think yes meme
- Psi to ksi
- Paw patrol app ipad
- Industrial fan ace hardware
- Red tarps for sale
- Weather drums pa
- Bala full movie
- Ram 1500 falcon shocks
Chita has a lot of power, a lot, but even she did not allow them to close the gap. Olivia pressed on the gas with all her might, only this way out of the turn made her efforts in vain. Breaking off. On a straight line, I also dashingly entered the esca and, without stopping drifting, swept across the site, finally turning around at the end.
Victory.