Clear the air: Wood stove buyback 2017

Reducing wood smoke pollution in Kittitas County

Washington Conservation Corps members and Ecology staff pause at the end of collection day

Our Central Regional smoke management team hosted two wood stove buyback programs in an effort to improve air quality in Kittitas County where smoke pollution is a concern during the winter months.

Over the two-day events (April 29 in Ellensburg and May 6 in Cle Elum), we collected 189 stoves and participants earned up to $250 for turning in their old, smoky stoves, which will be recycled for the metal. Thanks to our partners, the non-profit HopeSource and Kittitas County Health and Solid Waste departments, for helping to make the events possible. Funds for the wood stove buy-backs were authorized by the state Legislature as part an effort to reduce air pollution caused by wood smoke.

Washington Conservation Corps members Samuel Sanchez, Epifanio Galindo, and Kody Bixler put some muscle behind the event, joined by Air Quality staffers Nikolas Novotny, Camille Bennett and Sean Hopkins, and HopeSource’s Andrew Lyons, Vickie Nesbit, Savanna Kisling and Ericka Arellanes.

Together, Kittitas County and Hope Source are leading education and outreach efforts in the county regarding air pollution and helping residents to exchange old wood-burning stoves for newer, cleaner heating sources.
Photo album