KCC Green Team

GREEN TEAM starts to GROW at the KCC Following up on the Governor’s Executive Order 07-373, concerning Energy Conservation and Management in state government, the KCC invited Meranda Reifschneider with the KDHE to bring the Green Team concept to the KCC Management Team. The Green Team initiative, started by the Governor’s Recycling Taskforce and coordinated by the KDHE, is an important project to bring recycling and waste reduction efforts to the state government. To date, the initiative has been implemented in the Statehouse, the Landon Building, the Curtis Building, and the Judicial Center and involves 37 state agencies. The project began with a question asked by one state employee. “Why aren’t we recycling this?” From this question grew the idea of creating a program for government offices to lead by example in responsible stewardship practices like waste reduction recycling, and environmentally responsible purchasing. And so the Green Team Project was born. The project is centered on the concept of creating a Green Team in each building/facility. A Green Team is defined as a group of volunteers who are dedicated to improving the environment through promoting recycling and waste reduction in the work place. Team members contribute by: (1) Gathering input and feedback from co-workers; (2) Helping to develop and implement recycling, waste reduction, and purchasing recommendations; (3) Educating and encouraging their co-workers; and (4) Monitoring building progress. As a result of our meeting, the Commission is pleased to announce the beginning of the KCC Green Team Topeka. Russ Rudy, Energy, will head up the KCC’s efforts for this facility. KCC Green Team Topeka include: Scott Ediger, Advisory; Richard Perske, Public Affairs; Neal Barnhart, Support Services, Accounting and Human Resources; Becky Reid, Transportation; Bret Lawson, Legal; Susan Duffy, Front Office; Denise Grau, Information Technology; DeeAnn Shupe, Docket Room; John Bell, Utilities; and Shonda Titsworth, CURB. It is worthy to point out that the KCC has already been involved in many recycling efforts in the building (paper and aluminum). With the efforts of the KCC Green Team, we will build on our current program and introduce new concepts to make us more environmentally effective. Throughout the next several months your Green Team representative will be sharing these with you. show less