King County’s Solid Waste Division has named 75 local companies — including Northshore’s AMEC Earth & Environmental Inc., city of Bothell, In Harmony Sustainable Landscapes, Bastyr University and the Northshore Utility District — to its 2010 Best Workplaces for Recycling and Waste Reduction list. It recognizes businesses with exceptional recycling programs and for their commitment to reducing the amount of waste their company produces.

This year’s list spans a wide array of businesses in King County including hospitality, professional services, manufacturing, architecture, retail, finance, government and others.

Last year, businesses in King County sent more than 200,000 tons of recyclable materials to the landfill.

All businesses operating in King County outside the city of Seattle were eligible for the list. To secure their spot, businesses were required to meet the same five basic criteria, as well as 10 additional waste-reduction and recycling criteria, such as using reusable or compostable dishware in kitchens, collecting batteries for recycling or sending electronic invoices.

King County releases the Best Workplaces for Recycling and Waste Reduction list annually. This year’s list of businesses has increased by 10 from 2009, and is more than triple the number of businesses on the list from four years ago.