Seattle Company Pedals Its Way Off The Power Grid

PHUONG LE

SEATTLE (AP) — Jones Soda Co. took itself off the electricity grid for Earth Day, using cyclists to power lights, computers, printers and fax machines at its Seattle headquarters.

Employees and others at the soda pop company began pedaling at 5 a.m. Wednesday, taking turns on nine stationery bikes hooked up to batteries to store the energy.

"We've actively been working on improving sustainability across the entire company," said CEO-elect Joth Ricci. This was a good way to kick off an initiative to conserve electricity and reduce packaging waste, he said.

One cyclist pedaling at a comfortable pace could generate about 200 watts an hour, enough to run a medium-sized TV or a dishwasher without the heat dry.

To supplement the human-powered energy, the company also dialed back its electricity consumption. It turned off lights in the office, except lights in the restrooms, which were run by the bicycles. And employees huddled with laptops in two main rooms to take advantage of natural light from a skylight and windows.

The event brought out environmentalists, cycling enthusiasts and other curious gawkers.