Feb. 13, 2008
New Shoreline recycling and transfer station embodies King County’s green building push
Sims proposes new sustainable building policies for all county projects
Shoreline area residents will soon drop off their garbage at arguably the most environmentally friendly recycling and solid waste facilities in the nation and a model for what King County hopes to accomplish in green building at all its facilities.
King County Executive Ron Sims joined Shoreline community members and dignitaries today to celebrate the opening of the Shoreline Recycling and Transfer Station – the first transfer station built in the United States that is registered with the U.S. Green Building Council.
The transfer station officially opens for business Saturday, February 16.
"This facility is simply a magnificent embodiment of what King County wants to achieve in green building in all its construction and renovation projects," Sims said. "What's more, we were able to work with the community to create a facility that is safer, more functional and efficient, more pleasant to visit, and is helping to restore Thornton Creek."
Sims also used the occasion to propose an upgraded Green Building and Sustainable Development Ordinance for King County that requires all construction projects big and small to use sustainable building practices. The ordinance will be transmitted to King County Council tomorrow.
"No longer are there good reasons to not build green," said Sims "This facility shows that you can achieve life cycle savings through lower electricity, heating, cooling, water, and waste disposal costs, and from lower operations and maintenance costs. It is not only friendlier to the earth, it will save us money over time that will help keep rates low."
Formerly known as the First Northeast Transfer Station, the facility underwent a renovation ($24 million in construction costs) that makes it more efficient for users, quieter for the neighboring community, and offers increased recycling opportunities.
But what makes the facility eligible for U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold rating are its green features. Among them:
- A roof-top rainwater harvesting system collects water to wash station floors and equipment, and to flush toilets. This reduces water needs by 57 percent, saving 254,000 gallons of drinking water every year.
- Solar panels generate electricity even during cloudy days and will provide up to 5 percent of the building's energy needs.
- The facility uses natural daylight as the primary light source through the translucent wall panels and overhead skylights, reducing energy costs by 50 percent a year.
- A natural ventilation system pushes air through the building, reducing energy needs for ventilation by 80 percent.
- Low volatile organic compound paints and adhesives contribute to healthy indoor air.
- Green building materials include: recycled content steel, Forest Stewardship Council-certified wood, and fly ash concrete.
- Landscaped bioswales slow water flow to reduce stream bank erosion along Thornton Creek, a nearby salmon-bearing stream.
- Plants filter contaminants and sediment from surface water runoff.
Sims said King County has demonstrated its commitment to sustainable building practices since the construction in 1999 of the King Street Center, one of the first green office buildings in Seattle. In 2005, the King County Council approved Sims' green building policy requiring all King County buildings, renovations, and remodel projects seek LEED certification.
"That ordinance is now expiring, which is why tomorrow I am introducing to the Council a new Green Building Ordinance that enhances our green building policies and sustainability goals," he said.
Statistics show that green buildings that use the LEED rating system cost on average 0 to 2 percent more to build than traditional construction. However, a sustainably built structure can save a significant amount of money over the life of the building. Long-term financial benefits due to reduced operating, maintenance and other costs, however, exceed additional design and construction costs by a factor of 10 to 1.
Sims said the new Green Building Ordinance raises the bar in a number of ways, requiring, among other upgrades, that King County:
- Ensure all projects big and small use green building practices.
- Conduct energy audits and achieve energy savings for all county buildings.
- Develop green guidelines for building operations and maintenance.
King County currently has 16 buildings either in design, under construction or completed that are registered with LEED. The buildings that have already attained LEED certification are the Kent Pullen Regional Communication and Emergency Coordination Center, King Street Center, and Power Distribution Headquarters, and Marymoor Maintenance Facility.
"We hope these efforts inspire everyone to develop sustainably and build green to help balance growth with protection of our region's valuable resources," Sims said. "Addressing global warming is a top priority, and green, sustainable building and development, done collectively throughout King County and its cities will help address our environmental concerns while getting us on the path to smart growth."
King County provides green building assistance for residents, businesses and other agencies throughout the county. Through its GreenTools program, the county offers training, financial incentives and grants, research, project review, and strategies and policies to support green building on a large scale. With free consultations and fee discounts, King County's Department of Development and Environmental Services provides incentives for builders and developers to use sustainable development techniques.
King County's Solid Waste Division, which operates the new Shoreline Recycling and Transfer Station, also operates nine other transfer facilities throughout the county and a regional landfill in Maple Valley. The division offers a wide range of recycling and solid waste services to residents and businesses and works in partnership with cities and other stakeholders to protect health, safety and the environment.