Issaquah was well represented when the King County Solid Waste Division announced its 2010 list of the Best Workplaces for Recycling and Waste Reduction. The City of Issaquah and the Issaquah School District, as well as Rowley Properties, Pogacha of Issaquah and Timber Ridge at Talus, all received recognition for their efforts to reduce waste.

This is the second honor Issaquah schools have received for their sustainability efforts recently. Earlier this month, five schools were recognized for completing level one of the county’s Green Schools Program, with Issaquah Middle School completing level two of the program.

Pogacha also doubled up on the awards. For the second year in a row, the restaurant received the Best Workplaces honor for implementing a composting program that has reduced their trash output by half. The program has also inspired many of their employees to begin composting at home.

For Rowley Properties, it was a trifecta. In each of the last three years, Rowley has been recognized for their construction waste recycling program, which collects copper, steel, brass, gypsum wall board and lumber from every project site. They also partner with their tenants to reuse existing structures whenever possible. A Rowley representative offered this advice to other businesses, “If a workplace recycling program is implemented properly, it will expand to all aspects of your employees’ lives. Whether they’re at home, at work or somewhere in between, recycling will be so ingrained that they will always seek out ways to reduce, reuse and recycle.”

Each year, King County Solid Waste Division takes applications for the Best Workplaces for Recycling and Waste Reduction award from businesses who feel they demonstrate a commitment to principles of waste reduction. Seventy-five businesses received the honor for 2010, up from 66 in 2009. For the full list of businesses receiving recognition, go to the county’s website.