Mahlum Architects

Today in response to an intranet site posting by one of our staff members regarding coffee growing practices,  I researched Fair Trade Organic coffee from a brand we currently use that is available from our coffee supplier.

Trash picked up at the Park and Ride last evening.

As a daily bus commuter on Sound Transit and Metro, I always participate in the surveys they circulate on the bus during commute rush hours.  Encouraging bus ridership to  have fewer cars on the road cuts down on emissions, saves energy and alleviates congested roadways.  I cleaned up trash at a park and ride bus stop last evening- litter on...

Perhaps standard of living in comparison with some other countries contributes to meat eating. As America developed with agricultural growth, in economic downturns if nothing else having animal stock as food source helped families survive and perhaps became a symbol of being if not "well off" then at least still alive and kicking. My...

I have often just assumed some of the local boutique coffee roasters used beans sourced from growers that use environmental safer practices, but never questioned it! This learning helped me find the right questions to ask and also - if you have to guess about a bag of coffee, maybe that's a bad sign. I'd rather go to the roasters that embody...

I have been researching and prepping to start a cat compost! I have recently moved and my cat doesn't have any more picky cat housemates to choose the litter. A large portion of my landfill waste has always been my cat's waste and the plastic bags it gets scooped into. So I'm in last stage of transitioning his litter to wood pellets and cat...

I compost tea leaves onto my rose bushes at home.  The deer still eat the roses and they never have a chance to bloom, but the plant keeps coming back and the tea leaves are put to good use!

In the spirit of "Re-earth" (a great term from the TRUE zero waste program), we started a small home-composting worm bin. Hoping the kids will be interested in tending it and using the compost for the vegetable garden.

My personal “why” story: my best friend in elementary school’s b-day is Earth Day and as a kid she wished every day was Earth Day so she could get a present everyday. I got older and realized maybe we SHOULD consider every day “Earth Day”. Every day we are so blessed and fortunate to receive the gifts from nature - from food to clothes and the...

Three meatless meals last week.