Country Meadow Village “Goes Green”   

This August, Country Meadow Village Assisted Living in Sedro Woolley, embarked on an energy efficient and environmentally responsible shift in [Tracy Willis] the way they do business.   Energy efficient light-bulbs as well as low flow shower heads and toilets were just some of the changes that were established. Recycling containers multiplied through-out the facility for easy access for disposal. At one point, more recycling boxes had to be requested because of popular demand. Food waste has been cut down significantly, saving on cost as well as bulk being thrown away.  An electric golf cart was purchased to replace our bus in driving residents to and from medical appointments.  Country Meadow residents love the idea of the golf cart because it allows them to make appointments any day of the week, rather than only on scheduled bus days.  Long-time resident Florence Sobek, upon seeing the golf cart for the first time, remarked “Now that’s more like it!” 
Leo Jacobs, with the City of Sedro Woolley Solid Waste Division, recently helped boost Country Meadow’s recycling efforts by equipping the facility with two worm compost bins and a “green” container for recycling food.  The facility’s bio-degradable waste, including food and paper products, will go into a large bin not unlike a standard ‘green monster.’ The bin is emptied weekly on Monday, Wednesday and Friday All the facility’s food waste goes into recycling and ends up composting at Skagit Soil. The program is funded by an environmental grant through 2008. Country Meadow Village will continue saving even after the grant expires due to the lesser cost of recycling (at $30/ton), as opposed to the standard $82/ton rate for general trash.  Sedro-Woolley High School is also utilizing the program .
This is just the beginning of fulfilling the Country Meadow’s vision for a greener business.  Eco-friendly, bio-degradable floor covering, drastic decrease in toxic chemical use, and continued education for staff, residents, and the community are other important elemnts.  “Developing a more eco-friendly attitude just seems like the right thing to do,” says Executive Director, Tracy Willis, “We are so thrilled by the positive response to this program from our residents, the staff, and the community.  It’s a win-win situation for us all.”