Statehouse Green Team

Before the implementation of the Green Team Initiative, there was no recycling going on at the Statehouse at all due to the limitations imposed by the remodeling project and the lack of a loading dock. An initial waste audit revealed that at least 40 percent of the waste being discarded was recyclable paper. Cardboard, aluminum, plastic, newsprint, and food waste were also found in significant amounts. Purchases of recycled content paper and remanufactured printer and toner cartridges were extremely limited. Additionally, Division of Facilities Management was spending $10,000 per year on plastic trash liners for the building. In November of 2005, the Statehouse Green Team was formed and began meeting monthly. The team, charged with increasing recycling rates, promoting waste reduction, and encouraging the purchase of recycled content products, is made up of representatives from the Governor’s Office, Legislative Administrative Services, Legislative Computer Services, the Legislative Research Department, Revisor of Statutes Office, and building Housekeeping. With the help of staff from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the team has worked closely with the Division of Facilities and Shawnee County Recycling to provide more opportunities for recycling and waste reduction. To date, the following has been accomplished: - Reinstatement and expansion of paper recycling with modified waste collection routes so that each receptacle is emptied daily and the addition of extra receptacles. - Reinstatement and expansion of newspaper recycling so that there is now a receptacle on each floor. - Introduction of recycling stations on each floor to collect magazines, newsprint, and plastic bottles. - Initiation of a recycling program for books, catalogs, and magazines in the State Library. - Establishment of yearly “File Clean Out” events for the document room and the Legislative Offices. - Increase in purchases of remanufactured toner cartridges as opposed to those made from all new material. - Establishment of an aluminum can recycling program. Additionally, the team has implemented an outreach and education campaign that targets recycling, waste reduction, and recycled content purchasing. The campaign has so far included bi-weekly e-mails, training for legislative secretaries, and the distribution of paper recycling guidelines, receptacle locations, and information about remanufactured toner cartridges and other recycled content office products. Legislative Administrative Services, which purchases all office supplies for the legislature, has switched from purchasing all new toner and ink cartridges to the remanufactured kind. The team’s future goals include: - 95% reduction in paper waste. - 50% reduction in the amount of plastic liners used. - Continuation of outreach and education efforts regarding waste reduction practices such as using print preview and duplex printing. - Continuation of efforts to encourage recycled content purchasing. - Reduction of the amount of food waste and food packaging disposed of at the Statehouse by tour groups and lobbyist sponsored luncheons events.