by Alex Russell
About a third of the waste that goes into the local landfill is made up of paper or plastic. Every year people moving or cleaning out the garage discard used books, CDs and DVDs that eventually find their way into the trash. I’ve recently started as a Public Relations volunteer with Eco Encore, a Seattle-based non-profit that since 2002 has sold unwanted media online, keeping more paper and plastic out of landfills, and donated the proceeds to local environmental non-profits like Futurewise and the Washington Trails Association.
It’s a small non-profit, and its only paid staff in their SODO offices are the operations manager and assistant, both of which are on part-time. The organization thrives on its board and its volunteers, which means more money goes to the Eco Encore recipients rather than a receptionist and mail clerk and slick, high-powered PR guy.
Early on, they found people like the idea of their old junk translating to cash for local environmental groups, and that’s kind of how I see Seattleites—most will do good for the environment if given the option. Eco Encore has taken that to the bank, and since getting started has distributed over $32,000 among its 15 recipient organizations. And while they’ve gotten great press so far—Vanity Fair online and Grist Magazine included—hopefully there’s more to come. It is, after all, a novel idea that’s making real difference in the Northwest.
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