Awards & CertificationsKing County's biosolids have played a key role in a number of highly innovative and original biosolids recycling programs. We are proud of the awards and recognition garnered by those who are helping recycle King County's biosolids.
2009 Green Globe Award - Leader in Biosolids Recycling
GroCo, Inc.
For more than 30 years, GroCo, a division of Sawdust Supply, Inc., has been blending King County’s biosolids with sawdust to produce high quality compost. GroCo is available in bulk or bag to landscapers and the general public.
2007 Green Globe Award - Leader in Biosolids Recycling
Boulder Park Inc's Dave Ruud (left) and Gary Poole (center) accepting the 2007 Green Globe Award with County Executive Ron Simms (right).
Boulder Park, Inc. received the Leader in Biosolids Recycling Award for managing the largest farmer-owned and operated, multi-farmer biosolids recycling project in the United States, with more than 100 participating farmers and 65,000 acres approved for application. Certainly, it is one of the most successful long-term, community-supported biosolids operations in the U.S. Since 1992, Boulder Park, Inc. (BPI) has provided biosolids application and haul services to King County and many other wastewater agencies throughout the state and maintained an excellent reputation with its customers and regulators. They operate a reliable year-round project by taking deliveries 24/7, 365 days a year in Douglas County. BPI has also been enthusiastic and cooperative in working with university scientists in dryland wheat and biosolids research. BPI provides invaluable, high-quality biosolids management services, which are in demand with farmers and biosolids producers alike. For 16 years, they have been a model for excellence in field operations, environmental compliance, soil/crop enhancement and community involvement. Their efforts have been successful, as demonstrated by a growing demand among neighboring farmers: from three farmers and 30,000 tons a year in 1992, to more than 100 farmers, and over 85,000 tons in 2006. They continue to assist King County in maintaining our national Environmental Management System certification. 
King County Executive Ron Sims with Dr. Sally Brown and her son, Max. University of Washington researchers, Dr. Sally Brown and Dr. Chuck Henry, received the 2005 Green Globe Award as leaders in biosolids recycling for their design of a closed-loop recycling system. Biosolids from King County are being used to fertilize canola plants in the Yakima Valley. After harvest, canola seeds are crushed for oil which is then converted to biodiesel. This innovative and collaborative research project may lead to a new market for biosolids as well as a "home-grown" source of biofuel. Biodiesel provides a cleaner alternative fuel to run farm equipment and biosolids transport trucks. The award was presented during ceremonies on Earth Day at Westlake Park. 2001 Green Globe Award - Leader in Biosolids Recycling  King County Executive Ron Sims (left) presents the award to Ted Durfey On April 10, 2001 Natural Selection Farms, Inc. received the Green Globe Leader in Biosolids Recycling award for its recycling of biosolids and its advocacy for environmental stewardship throughout the community as well as the region. Through a cooperative partnership between Natural Selection Farms and King County, more than 40,000 wet tons of biosolids were applied to 4,400 acres of farmland owned by 20 farmers in Yakima County during 2000. The farm uses drip irrigation to conserve water and incorporates straw into the soil to reduce water runoff and erosion into the Yakima River salmon habitat. The farm has also been progressive in experimenting with recycled products for composting and using recycled, biodegradable paper twine for stringing hop vines onto recycled plastic poles instead of wooden ones. Natural Selection Farms, owned by Ted Durfey, has actively participated in state boards and oversight committees to help shape regulations that foster environmental stewardship.  National Biosolids Partnership EMS CertificationIn July 2004, King County Wastewater Treatment Division became a certified program in the National Biosolids Partnership's Environmental Management System for biosolids. King County was the third wastewater agency in the nation to earn this prestigious certification. In August 2007, King County's EMS was further awarded platinum status due to its long period of certification and successful completion of additional audits of the program. For more information on King County's certification in the Environmental Management System for biosolids, including documents for download, please see our EMS page. Find out more about King County's biosolids recycling program:
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