Landon Building Green Team

Before the formation of the Green Team, there was limited paper, aluminum, and cardboard recycling happening in the Landon Building. An initial waste audit revealed that more than 30 percent of the waste being discarded was recyclable paper. Cardboard, plastic, newsprint, paper bathroom towels, and food waste were also found in significant amounts. One of the main obstacles to recycling was lack of convenience. Employees had to take cardboard recycling downstairs to a dumpster in the loading dock area behind the building. They were also responsible for collecting and emptying their own paper recycling. Plastic, newsprint, and magazine recycling was non-existent. In April of 2006, the Landon Building green team was formed and began meeting monthly. The team, charged with increasing recycling rates, promoting waste reduction, and encouraging the purchase of environmentally responsible products, is made up of representatives from Division of Accounts and Reports, Kansas Board of Emergency Medical Services, Division of Health Policy and Finance, Kansas Board of Nursing, State Treasurer's Office, Division of Information Systems and Communications, Department of Administration Legal Division, Division of Budget, Division of Facilities Management, Department of Administration Personnel Office, Department of Corrections, Division of Purchases, and building Housekeeping personnel. With the help of staff from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the team has worked closely with the Division of Facilities Management and Shawnee County Recycling to provide more opportunities for recycling, waste reduction, and environmentally responsible purchasing. The team’s accomplishments include: - Introduction of a desk-side paper recycling receptacles - Establishment of central recycling stations for newsprint, magazines, and plastic bottles on every floor - Revision of cardboard recycling program, making it much more convenient for employees to participate. - Initiation of a green cleaning chemicals pilot - Establishment of a centralized beverage container collection program The team has also been responsible for initiating an outreach and education campaign that targets recycling, waste reduction, and recycled content purchasing. The campaign has so far included bi-weekly e-mails, the creation of a building recycling guide, and the distribution of paper recycling guidelines, and information about remanufactured toner cartridges and double sided printing. The team's future goals include the following - Increase in the amount of paper recycled - Reduce the tonnage and cost of waste disposal - Improvement of a statewide recycling/disposal system for lighting fixtures - Continuation of recycling and waste reduction education efforts - Ensure that beverage recycling receptacles are made available for events and functions held on State property - Improvement of recycling/disposal system for batteries - Eliminate the use of styrofoam in the building's cafeteria - Ensure that all employees have desk-side paper recycling receptacles show less