A ‘green ribbon’ for Rotary

In April, members of the Rotary Club of Mercer Island accepted a 12-week challenge from the Green Ribbon Commission to take on “22 Ways: It’s Easy Being Green!” The commission is a partnership between the city and its citizens to promote easy steps that anyone can all take to live well without having a big impact on the environment.

By Reporter Staff • August 30, 2011 9:59 am
Lowell Erickson was a winner of the Green Ribbon Challenge this spring.
Lowell Erickson was a winner of the Green Ribbon Challenge this spring.

In April, members of the Rotary Club of Mercer Island accepted a 12-week challenge from the Green Ribbon Commission to take on “22 Ways: It’s Easy Being Green!” The commission is a partnership between the city and its citizens to promote easy steps that anyone can all take to live well without having a big impact on the environment.

On July 26, members of the Commission honored the club president (David Bobanick) and Planet Earth co-chairs (Lowell Ericsson and George Chambers) with 22 Ways T-shirts, presented the club with a framed completion certificate, and reported on impressive results:

• 72 members participated in the challenge, 47 percent of the club.

• 685 items were checked off, an average of 9.5 per member participating.

The top items completed were:

• Walking instead of driving, combining or eliminating car trips.

• Use a programmable thermostat, doing laundry efficiently and replacing five or more incandescent bulbs.

The Rotary Club was the fourth Island organization to take the challenge, following the Mercer Island School Board, Mercer Island City Council and Emmanuel Episcopal Church.

Next up are City of Mercer Island employees who will join the challenge. Their results will be announced in November.

For more information on the 22 Ways Challenge, go to www.mercergov.org.